We’ve seen a poorer quality version of this photo. Here’s a better scan of the June 1955 photo from Willys News with the caption in tact. Though the caption doesn’t mention the movie name, it probably refers to the movie released in 1956 called the Proud and Profane.
Features Research Archives
Chuckwalla Jeep Club Plaque
I spotted this great old Jeep Club plaque from the Chuckwalla Jeep Club on Craigslist. The club still exists and has a Facebook page.
Obstacle Course Helps Dealer Sell Jeeps
A McHenry, Illinois, dealer created an obstacle course for potential buyers to test jeeps. The February 1956 issue of Willys News reported this.
Color Photos from World War II
Both Paul and Ted spotted this color Willys MA photo. It’s part of a collection of photos. You can see them below.
Pankey Motor Company Wagon
Photo of Bantam BRC-40 w/ Eddie Cantor on eBay
Great photo!
“1941- Because he was the first person to buy a defense savings bond at Treasury House in Rockefeller Plaza, actor Eddie Cantor was taken for a ride in an Army jeep. Shown here on the steps of the Bowery Savings Bank on 42nd Street.”
Photo of Stanley Smale’s Magnet-equipped Jeep on eBay
Here’s a 1949 photo of a CJ-2A equipped with a generator powering a magnet. It was developed by a truck driver named Stanley Smale.
1941 Bantam BRC-40 In Stream on eBay
The tread on the spare tire is just great.
“For auction is an 7 x9 inch original US press photo of a BRC (Bantam Recon. Car). It was issued to the press on 3/19/1941 to publicize the development of the Bantam military car.”
David Darrah’s Jeeps
In the ‘it’s a small world’ category, David Darrah grew up barely a mile from where I did in Renton. His father Ray was a charter member of the Seattle Rump Bumpers Jeep Club, so he’s had jeeping in his blood from birth. Where David lived was just a street over from George Steele. George has been involved with jeeps a long time (and still is — I talked with him this summer) and my parents knew him pretty well. As a teen, David knew George well also, occasionally begging him for discounted parts for his first jeep, a 1942 MB.
A few years ago David had a chance to buy a green CJ-3A that George had rebuilt back in 1996 (though George no longer owned it). Despite owning several different flat fenders over the years (see end of post), just owning one jeep wasn’t enough, so David recently bought a second one Willys, a 1962 CJ-3B that needed a little bit of work. David feels like he’s well on his way to owning a ‘collection’ of jeeps. He just needs some more room (don’t we all!). David lives in Puyallup now, so I’ll be getting down there at some point to talk jeeps and see these in person. Thanks for sharing David!
1952 CJ-3A with some modern touches added by George Steele:
153 cu. in. Iron Duke 4 cyl, T14 3-spd, Dana 18 T.C, manual saginaw steering, Cherokee 11 inch drum brakes, Warn Hubs and Overdrive. Stock Dana 25/41 538 ratio. 3A needs nothing other than replace a few warn parts in Overdrive unit (growls a tad—still works good) Owned this Jeep almost 3 Years now.
1944 Photos in the Cortland Standard
These photos were featured with other photos that were published weekly by the Cortland Standard of Cortland, NY. I love the “Pistol Packing Mama”.





















