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Colin Provides Some Updates

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

Colin provided a couple updates.  He’s got a new top for his Surrey and his son, Lee,  got their CJ-2A project running for the first time.

Colin writes, “I had a new top put on the Surrey.  Here are a couple of photos of it.  I also attached a couple of photos of our project 1952 CJ3A that is nearing completion. It has a CJ2A windshield and is now 12V with upgraded larger 11″ brakes.It still has the L-134 4 banger, but also sports an electric winch, custom built rollbar and custom bikini top.   These were taken the first time we fired it up..it ran like a Swiss watch!”

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Stephen’s Merry Christmas

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

A reader named Stephen is feeling quite Merry about this year’s Christmas after purchasing a CJ-2A project. Good luck and keep us updated!

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Santa’s Sleigh Got Stuck Last Night

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

It seems Santa had to turn to an Orange CJ-2A to complete his duties last night.  I’d like to give credit for the brave soul who snuck out and captured this photo; however, the reader(s) didn’t leave their name. (Actually, this photo came in from two different email addresses, neither of which had a name).  I guess they were concerned they’d get some coal in their socks?

We’ll just call this wiki-leak-like photo a Santa-Leak!

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Mobile Orientation Unit — Fritz Kaeser

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

Originally published in January of 2010″

In the two photos below, photographer Fritz Kaeser captured this Mobile Orientation Unit presentation on June 28, 1945, near Cividale, Italy (at least that’s the assumption as Cividale is scribbled on the back).  I did a search on “Mobile Orientation Units”, but didn’t have any success learning more about them.  Fritz ran a studio in Wisconsin before World War II and then headed to the Western U.S. after the war, photographing the American Southwest and the Rocky Mountains.  These photographs are a part of Denver Library’s Western History Collection.

This photo shows the Tenth Mountain Division Information and Education’s Mobile Orientation Unit’s jeep-top stage parked in the middle of a grassy field during a discussion of the Pacific campaign. Pfc. Bob Wright (left) and Sergeant Ed Curry sit at tables atop the stage. Behind them is a banner with a map of Japan and the slogan: One war, one world. A jeep trailer contains a sound system and two loudspeakers, a third loud speaker is on the other side of the stage.  http://photoswest.org/cgi-bin/imager?00200148+TMD-148

In the photo below, the Tenth Mountain Division Information and Education’s Mobile Orientation Unit holds a discussion of the Pacific campaign and invasion of Japan with soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division’s Quartermaster Battalion. T/4 Theodore “Ted” Lockwood uses a portable microphone amid the audience. http://photoswest.org/cgi-bin/imager?00200149+TMD-149

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Buttercup’s ‘New’ Brother

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

A few months ago William shared the story of Buttercup.  Well, he now reports that he found Buttercup a new brother.  He also reports, definitively, that a CJ-2A will fit into the back of a Toyota Tundra.  I think Toyota ought to add that to their tv commercials.

Here is the proof:

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Some Scam Ads out of New Mexico

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

Recently, Mike wrote to me about several Willys related ads that appear to be scams out of New Mexico.  The ads aren’t all the same, but are similar. Mike identified these common themes:

  1. No phone number
  2. No pictures
  3. Rush to sell
  4. Low affordable pricing
  5. Rural location outside of ABQ..
  6. Does not respond to local contact attempts.

Here are some links that you might find useful; my goal is to put together a more comprehensive collection of scams that are automobile focused.

From Fraud Guides: http://www.fraudguides.com/internet-craigslist-scams.asp

Craigslist/eBay Car Scam: http://www.simplysoldstore.com/wordpress/index.php/2009/04/19/the-craigslist-ebay-car-scam/comment-page-6/

From Craigslist: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams

eBay Scams: http://reviews.ebay.com/Scam-Warning-Craigslist-AutoTrader-eBay-Motors-Scams_W0QQugidZ10000000011673463

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Here is an example of a Craigslist Ad we believe is fake.  If I am incorrect about this ad being dishonest, PLEASE contact me.

1945 X Army Willys jeep – $750 (Sandia Park N.M.)


Date: 2010-12-17, 12:54PM MST
Reply to: sale-gxgnd-2118017716@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]


1945 ex army jeep runs good , 4 cylinder engine original threw out, but needs some body work done , not serious some surface rust under the frame and also on top of the front fenders. I used this jeep to get around in the winter time for many years , very dependable old jeep, you can always get your money out of it if you decide to sell later, with more work to be done on it. This jeep will not drive very fast but it sure can climb up trails and mountains, and just in time for the snow here in new mexico, took it hunting deer many year ago, I went out early this morning this place was covered in snow I keep my jeep under my old shed , and it started right up with no problems, it has the 4×4 still working on it, I no longer going to need it because I am moving to t or c where it is a little more warmer, and I am getting somewhat older 78 years young cannot deal with this colder weather so email me to come see , first to come by with cash gets the jeep, please no trades or low offers , I will sell this jeep for my price I will have a better chance if it even snows more,. I just saw one on e ebay sell for much more than this, and the jeep was not even running. The jeep is sold as is no refunds , you buy it it is yours.

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Anyone Recognize this 1962 6×6?

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

Rudolf emailed me from Bali yesterday. He’d spotted this Jeep advertised for sale as a 1962 6×6 Willys Jeep.  He wondered if this was a custom project or the real deal.  My guess was that this is a one-off custom project, especially since it has a number of civilian elements. Apparently, the seller swears this was in the war (which war?).  Unfortunately, the seller has yet to respond to additional questions.  Also, below is the only pic provided.

Note the unusual front hubs.  I’ve never seen a 6×6 quite like this.  Is this possibly some oddball created by a Willys licensed manufacturer?

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Sgt. Richard A. Penry, Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial Military Museum

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

Located in Petaluma, California, The Richard Penry Medal of Honor Memorial Military Museum appears to have two Willys.  One is well restored (though I have a question) and the Second one is part of a diorama and tipped on its side.

Here’s the first, a Slat Grille MB.  These images are from Wikipedia.  My question is … isn’t that front cross member from a GPW and not a MB? Or am I missing something?

The back of this MB:

Here’s the tipped over Willys.  I couldn’t find a better pic of this.

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