This is another story about a jeep from the Gus and the Model Garage series published in Popular Science Monthly. This particular article was published in June of 1955. In this story Gus learns about the oil float in the old Willys motors.
Features Research Archives
WWII US Field Phonograph Record Player **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Here’s an unusual item. The auction ends in a few hours.
“This auction is for a Original US Field Phonograph from the WWII era. It has typical damage on the outside from use in the field. Since condition is relative please look at the pictures provided. It is complete and plays. Great sound! The arm is a little sticky as it goes across the record but could be easily fixed, Probably just needs lubed. These were issued to combat units by the Special Services Division to build morale amongest the troops. This look great in a Living History or Reenactment.”
A Man, His Dog, and Lizzy
This picture comes from Elizabeth, Colorado. Conrad is checking out the beautiful scenery and, perhaps, contemplating the sale of his jeep, because “Lizzy” was sold a few days ago to her new owner Mark. This CJ-2A is very stock and even has its original black paint (quite rare).
Mark plans to take good care of it and preserve it as is. So, despite being sad it had to go, Conrad is happy it is going to Mark and Mark is thrilled to get it. Even better, Mark and Conrad have become friends.
Heinrich Bole’s The End of a Mission
This isn’t a book so much about a jeep as it is about the burning of a jeep. The story centers around a court case, in which a man and his father are being tried for burning an army jeep.
I have yet to read it, but it’s on my list.
You can learn more about this book at Amazon.com.
Gus and the Model Garage: Gus Goes Hunting … For Trouble!
In this story from Gus and the Model Garage, Gus explains what happens when synthetic rubber gets old. The story is called “Gus Goes Hunting … For Trouble” and was published in November of 1953.
Topps World on Wheels – Willys Jeep on eBay
This is a Topps chewing gum card that shows a CJ-3B. At Dean’s Cards, this is only $5.00. I looked for some other Topps cards with jeeps, but couldn’t find any more.
“1954/55, I would grade very good with light wear. Please see scans to make your own evaluation. E-mail with any questions. Thanks for looking!”
Year? M-718 Medina, Oh **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
“Your buying a M-718 Ambulance with a bill of sale. vehicle starts, runs, drives well but needs some brake work. It will need the usual undercarraige kit. Correct canvas top and right rear curtain are N.O.S. Missing left right curtain.”
Johnny Cash in a rare 462 CJ-5
UPDATE: Jim notes that this CJ-5 is a very rare example of a 462 model CJ-5. You can see his comment about it below. I tried to find some pictures online of a closeup of the decal, but couldn’t find any.
Also, here’s a picture of Johnny Cash from a 1975 Christmas Album. It looks like it could be the same jeep.
I stumbled upon these neat old pics of Johnny Cash from the johnny–cash-infocenter.com website.
M-38A1 at Fort Lewis Circa 1958
UPDATE: This has been relished on eBay.
Though it appears stuck in thick Tacoma area mud, there is an explicit declaration on the back of the photo stating that the jeep is NOT stuck.
“Up for sale is a 1958 Original B&W Glossy 7×5 Photograph taken by an Army Photographer and showing what I believe is a US Army Willys M38A1 (MD) Jeep in a Very Muddy Road with Id’d Soldier, most likely at Fort Lewis or Yakima Training Center in Washington State. Back is hand titled: Lloyd McClelland + jeep in mud. Not stuck. Taken while on hill duty. Year is based on some dated images in this collection. Any serious defects will be noted here [curved ends, light roughness to lower edge, old tape, minor tape? staining on back], but since condition is subjective, please enlarge photos & decide overall condition for yourself. This would make a wonderful addition to your collection.
ALL the images I have by this unknown US Army Photographer were taken in Washington State in 1958. However some of his military views do not give location info, so location is a best guess from what is shown. I also have several other Army / Air Force photos from this photographer on eBay.”
Gus and the Model Garage: Gus and the Miracle Jeep
Buz pointed me to this story title “Gus and the Miracle Jeep”, publish in the August 1950 of Popular Science Monthly. The story is part of the Gus and the Model Garage series. I’d never read any Gus stories, and Buz didn’t tell me much, other than I should read it. So, I didn’t know what to expect.
After reading it I suggest you read it too. It just begs the question, what other things did the Army try?
http://www.gus-stories.org/august_1950.htm
That is just one of more than 500 stories about Gus and the Model Garage, written by Martin Bunn over the span of three decades. Who was Martin Bunn? That was a pen name for a variety of authors who churned out a monthly story designed to describe car problems in ways the average person would understand. In a way, it’s like Encyclopedia Brown (which I loved reading as a kid) for people interested in automotive mechanics.
Thanks to Mike Hammerberg, there is an entire website devoted to Gus and the Model Garage stories.














