As part of getting my computer up and running again (whew!), I tested out various pieces of hardware (like my scanner), only to discover Apple’s new OS (Mavericks) is more advanced than the drivers. However, with some software gymnastics, I got it working. Here’s the first result (I had to clean this up quite a bit). It’s a Sports Graphic from the 1945 issue of Willys War News. I’ll be doing a full scan of that at some future point.
Features Research Archives
Upcoming Military Vehicle Show in the Phoenix area
Joe forwarded this announcement. The Arizona Historic Military Transport Association (AHMTA) Military Vehicle Show is coming up March 1 and 2 in Mesa, Arizona.
Sales Aides from the Product Merchandising Manual
A seller on eBay broke up a Product Merchandising Manual and sold it in pieces. I bought this section (Sales Aides), and several others. Unfortunately, I don’t have the resources to buy all of them (and some of them are overpriced in my opinion).
These three pages demonstrate items used by the sales team to sell Willys Vehicles. One of these aides I’ve never run across is the “Civil Defense Brochure” shown on Page 2 under Selective Marketing Booklets.
Market Research from the Product Merchandising Manual
This Market Research section of the Product Merchandising Manual is very interesting, particularly since it covers Washington State (where I live). Because some of the information is broken down by county, and because varies quite a bit, especially east and west of the Cascade Mountains, it’s likely possible to draw some national conclusions about vehicle ownership percentages, etc.
GPAs from Around the World
Mark asked about finding a SEEP in a museum. So, I this post reflects GPAs in museums and around the world. I’m sure there are others. If you know of any more, please email me a link or add it to the comments.
In Bangkok, Thailand, this SEEP is housed with several other jeeps at the Chokchai Museum. This video shows a short walk around. That might be a M-606 next to it.
The Wheatcroft Collection, in Leicester, England, has a great collection of vehicles, including this GPA. Here are many more photos of the collection.

Wheatcroft Collection Ford GPA http://www.flickr.com/photos/hooper-phil/10435948444/sizes/z/in/photostream/
The Moscow, Russia, Victory Park has a GPA stored outside. This website includes a variety of closeups as well.
Back in 2010 I posted this GPA that’s housed in the South African Military Museum in Johannesburg.
1949 Sinclair Oil Ad on eBay
The cover picture of this ebay ad is different than the description and photo within the description.
“This ad is approximately 10 inches wide X 13 inches high.
No Damage, Stains Or Tears.”
Jeep Chase Seen From the 1953 Movie OFF LIMITS
Off Limits was a 1953 movie staring Bob Hope and Mickey Rooney. I’ve never seen the movie, but blogger Robby Cress has seen it and likes it. A couple years ago he authored about a chase scene that involved a military police jeep driven by Mickey Rooney that chased a car driven by Bob Hope. Filmed in several Los Angeles Neighborhoods, Cress tracks down some of the old locations, pinpoints them, and compares them to their 2012 counterparts. The photos include shots of the jeep, which is painted in a Constulabary style with a stripe that drapes widely over the cowl, before flowing down and along the side of the jeep to its rear in one large wide stripe. Here are other derivations of the Constulabary paint style.
Here’s the entire post: http://dearoldhollywood.blogspot.com/2012/07/off-limits-1953-film-locations.html
These are a few of the jeep related photos taken (I assume) from the video:
1943 Photo of SEEP at Tunisian Front on eBay
I’ve never seen a photo of a GPA used as an ambulance. But, apparently this one was carrying wounded soldiers from the front.
Early Photo of Alaskan Highway on Facebook
Deborah spotted this great old photo of the Alaska Canadian (Al-Can) Highway in progress on Facebook. More info on the Al-Can.
3 Willys World Newsletters on eBay
3 issues of the Willys World Newsletter from 1987 are for sale on eBay.
“WILLYS WORLD NEWS LETTER
VOLUME 14 NUMBER 1
JANUARY – FEBRUARY 1987
VOLUME 14 NUMBER 2
MARCH – APRIL 1987
VOLUME 14 NUMBER 5
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 1987
ORIGINAL ISSUE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION
THE WILLYS CLUB IS NOW DEFUNCT”
View all the information on ebay


























