UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Marc found these photos of Israeli Commandos in CJ-2As
2.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Marc found these photos of Israeli Commandos in CJ-2As
2.
<– Day 15 – Apr. 3rd: Joshua Tree National Park | OVERVIEW | Day 17 – Apr. 5th: Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor –>
We spent Thursday night in downtown Palm Desert. I’d like to explore it more some day, but on Friday morning we had no time to see it. Instead, we had a specific mission: find the jeep sculpture in Borrego Springs, California.

We drove from Palm Desert to Borrego Springs. From there we drove to Ontario for cheaper weekend stay and for a Sunday excursion to Hollywood.
Before leaving Palm Desert, more food was needed and, after some googling, we landed at Jensens. One look at the deli case — lobster pot pie, sliced medium rare lamb, and more — we knew we’d better tread carefully, or we wouldn’t have any money left for the remainder of the trip. We couldn’t resist a few slices of lamb, but did pass on the lobster pot pie (Drats! I really wanted to know how that tasted).
Ready for our trip into the desert, we drove east before turning south. The highway took us down the western side of the Salton Sea. Back in my Manyone Network (circa 2006 and pre-eWillys) days I worked with a group to develop a portal about the unique aspects of the area. I’d always wanted to see the sea in person and finally got that chance today. While I’d seen it in photos, it is much bigger in person than I’d imagined.
When we reached Salton City, we began our trek west to Borrego Springs, but part way along our journey we discovered a bit of jeeping nirvana: Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area. First, we spotted a sign for a “4×4 Obstacle Road”.

Henry saw the 4×4 road sign and was ready for some off road action. But then he saw the pipes and tires and thought better of it.
<– Day 14 –Apr. 2nd: It is Cold, Windy and Raining . . . This is the Mohave Desert? | OVERVIEW | Day 16 – Apr. 4th: The Borrego Springs Jeep –>
Our goal today was to make a quick trip to Joshua Tree National Park and then hit a motel in Palm Desert early, so we could rest and wash some clothes.
However our quick trip to the park turned into a four-hour stay, between a long hike and the long drive through the park. Part of the delay was my fault, as I took a bunch of photos:
Joshua has two entrances on the north side and one on the south side. We planned to enter via the northwest entrance out of the city of Joshua Tree. There’s a good visitors center at that location, so I’d recommend starting there. The visitor’s center also isn’t far from this Willys Truck that is hawking firewood.
Tom Sterndale had a couple questions: I have just become aware that there are two types of accelerator linkages from pedal to carberator. One has a pivot pin on the lifter cover and up over the valve cover. The other is mounted to the rear of the engine and work the carb. from the right side of the motor.
1. Is the carb. the same with linkage attaching at same place?
2. When were each used?
<– Day 13 – Apr 1st: From Scottsdale AJs to Seligman Sundries | OVERVIEW | Day 15 – Apr. 3rd: Joshua Tree National Park –>
On Wednesday we began the morning by driving to the Route 66 Museum at the old power station in downtown Kingman.
On our way, there were more classic motels, but one in particular caught our attention. There was much more going on at this hotel — murals and themed rooms — but our photos didn’t turn out very good.
After many photographs, we finally made it to the two floor power station. Downstairs you’ll find a gift shop and visitor’s center. Upstairs is the entrance to the museum where we purchased our tickets. The cashier was an older gentleman who at first seemed gruff and bothered by our presence, but then warmed up as he got into a short presentation about how the tickets we purchased were good for three museums in the area. We also learned that active military folks get in free.
The museum tour starts with a history of the trail which proceeded the route. One of the first things I spotted was a photograph of a jeep from 1943. It’s the only jeep I saw in the place.
From there, more history unfolded: the need for good roads, the construction of Route 66, and the success of the towns following WWII, until the opening of Interstate 40 in 1984.
In the middle of the Route 66 history is a large diorama that shares Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath and his use of Route 66 in the book.
Hank writes, “I bought a jeep five or so years ago and I am finally getting around to get her running. I was just wondering if anybody out in the jeep world has ever seen this set up before. I believe the rear is a Dana 44, but it has about 4″ extensions on it to make room for the duel wheels. I am looking for another set of rims. They are 16″ split rim with five holes. I am thinking they came off of a FC but am not sure.”
Maury shared this war bond with an image of a Willys MA. He wrote, “These inserts were apparently sent out with US Treasury checks to encourage the recipients to invest the money in war bonds. Scans of the front and back of the original envelope and insert are attached.”
Front:
Back:
Original Image (now on Wikipedia):
Marc spotted this goat on a jeep. Who would have thought that? Rather than Fritz, I’m thinking that is Francine . . . or that isn’t milk. Yikes!
“1944- Members of a U.S. mortar platoon in “frontline German town” line up before “Fritz”, standing on top of a jeep, and hold out their tin cups for their ration of goat’s milk.”
UPDATE: This was taken in Chicago, IL.
“LARGE 1956 Press Photo Edward Sikorski Uses Plow Jeep Clear Driveway Austin. This is an original press photo. And GunnisonPhoto measures 12 x 10.25inches. Photo is dated 02-02-1956.”