Features Research Archives

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Forward Control Article at Militarytrader.com

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Jesse pointed out to me that the militarytrader article is actually a condensed version of a 9 page FC article that appeared in the October, 2001, issue number 87 of Military Vehicles Magazines (which is related to militarytrader.com).  He also notes that Fred Williams, who’s FC is pictured below, has long since moved to California and works as an editor for 4 WHEEL & OFFROAD Magazine.  So, it appears the editors did a quick editing of the original article and decided not to add any updated links.

However, I still believe that the editors are amiss not to include the FC Connection link in the resources and to point out that this is a condensed version of an original article.  I believe their readers would benefit from this information.

Click on the image below to read the recent article:

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A Baier Flatfender Ashtray and Lighter Woods Cross, Ut **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Features, Unusual • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $80.

Brett found this unusual (and perhaps commerative) lighter and ashtray.  I wanted to make sure and post this before it sold.  Note the red FC toy of some kind in the background as well.

“Interesting vintage WWII figural lighter. I believe it is a Willys Jeep pulling a small trailer that is the ashtray. I’m not sure if it’s made from steel or heavy cast aluminum. The tires are rubber and roll. The levers on the side, which look like door handles, make the lighter on the front of the hood pop up. On the top is a large medal that portrays the Berlin Blockade of the allied airlift of 1948-1949. The roof lifts up to reveal a compartment to hold cigarettes .. the short unfiltered type. Inside this compartment is the original paper label from the maker. W Baier ….. Ges. Gesch. The rest is in German, then US D 150078 patent pending. This Jeep is in very good condition, but there is a bit of oxidation on one side. The only piece missing is a small pole that would connect the trailer to the back of the Jeep. This Jeep is just one part of much larger collection. If you would like more information or pictures, feel free to contact me.”

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Builds: Ron nabs a Craigslist Find

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features, Willys Trucks This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

A reader named Ron wrote me the other day.  He spotted a great deal on a restorable truck at a great price and now has a website with pics of the early work (I’ve included a couple pics below).  Click on the photogallery to see all the pics. Ron already has a 1971 CJ-5 and his son a 84 CJ-8;  you can see pics of those vehicles in the photogallery as well. Congrats on the find and good luck with the rebuild!

Ron writes, “We are in the middle of the off frame restoration of the 61 Willys. It was purchased new in 61 by a lady with a farm in Connecticut. She ordered it with a snow plow and a hydraulic dump bed. It only has 22,000 miles. I bought it from her grandson.”

Here’s the truck before restoration.  It looks like a good starting point.

Here’s a look at how the rear of the dump bed frame looks.

And here’s a closeup of the dump mechanism.

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Another Pic of the San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Old Images, Willys Wagons • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

From Craig’s (from thefcconnection) never ending collection of unusual Jeep images comes this rare shot of the San Juan Scenic Jeep Tour Wagon convertibles.  Jesse forwarded this image to me along with a snapshot of an uncompleted transformation of a Wagon the company had partly modified.  You can see the earlier San Juan post here.

Technically, it was Dave Beamis who was modifying the wagon.  He worked for San Juan Tours years ago.  Dave would go on to start Crystal River Tours and his son, Dave Beamis, started and runs Crystal River Lodge with his brother.

Jesse reports, “all of the Scenic and Crystal River Tours FCs and Wagon Jeeps were repowered while in service, because of the altitude and amount of weight of the passengers, they removed the flathead Hurricane 6 and replaced it with the Chevy 250 or 292 inline 6 engines, with an adapter.”

Here’s the picture from Craig:

From Jesse is the image of an in-progress convertible wagon.  Jesse notes, “this a picture of another wagon body that I bought. It was there, it was cut, but never hammer welded to be finished, Dennis said that when one was wrecked they would have extra bodies to replace on the running chassis. Notice this was on a 4×2 frame.”

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Happy 17th Birthday Chris

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Over the past year and a half Chris (from Mossy Rock, Wa) and I have been trading emails every-so-often as he works his way through his flat fender project.  He recently figured out how to work with some bondo; he also tried his hand at using Herculiner.  You can see the results below.   It’s a bit of a trial and error process for him, but he’s making good progress.

January 1st is his birthday, so have a great birthday Chris and keep the pics coming!

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Jeepster in Tahiti

• CATEGORIES: Features, Jeepster, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Alex forwarded this picture of a Jeepster in Tahiti taken in 1951.  As far as I’m concerned, any excuse to show a picture of Tahiti is a good excuse in my book!

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