UPDATE:  Kudos to Greg Zyla for updating his column with the history corrections I suggested.  You can read about it here: http://www.hamburgreporter.com/article/20121105/NEWS/121109944/-1/sports

(Published 10/30/2012)
I ran across this article about Jeep History: http://www.enterprisenews.com/lifestyle/columnists/x255960865/Greg-Zyla-Jeep-American-Bantam-and-Willys-Overland

If you read the article, you will see there are a few of the usual historical errors. I wrote a letter to the author with some thoughts on corrections. I’ve included them below to help those that aren’t as familiar with jeep history.  I’ve also included them just in case I got something wrong.

1. The first jeep sold by Willys-Overland in 1945 to the public was the Willys CJ-2A.  Very Early CJ-2A production units used some left over parts from the military versions, making VEC CJ-2As highly collectible among civilian jeep collectors.
2. The Willys Quad was the first prototype Willys-Overland developed in 1940 (the second Prototype was the Willys MA).
3. The Willys Quad wasn’t exactly a ‘copy’ of the Bantam BRC, although there were similarities, partly because Willys got to look at the Bantam plans before shipping the Quad.
4. Ford’s first Prototype was the Ford Pygmy.  A second prototype was the Ford Budd (http://www.ewillys.com/2009/03/12/the-1940-buddy-a-ford-pygmybudd-prototype/ ).  Their third prototype was the Ford GP (which doesn’t stand for General Purpose, but for G=Goverment and P=80″ Wheelbase).  The WWII production jeep was the Ford GPW (the W standing for Willys Design).
5. Willys and Ford battled over the name Jeep. Willys didn’t win the right to use the name Jeep until the 1950s, which is the reason the hood and windshields of the CJ-2As and the CJ-3As were stamped Willys.  There are a few rare CJ-2s that are stamped “JEEP” ( http://www.willys-overland.com/index.htm ).
6. While the original Bantam BRC is considered the first jeep, the jeep in the photo accompanying the article is a Bantam BRC-40 which was the third Prototype. (see the three different bantams here http://www.ewillys.com/2011/08/14/the-three-bantams-brc-brc-60-and-brc-40/ )
7. I am not aware that Bantam imported parts from England.  I will have have to ask some friends about that.
8. Despite having arguably the worst of the three designs, Ford initially won the Army Quartermaster contract.  However, there was enough push-back that the contract was transferred to Willys-Overland and Ford assigned as a second-source status.

NOTE:  After reading this again, I probably should change the term prototype type to pilot for everything but the BRC, as the BRC was the real prototype/proof of concept, but that’s a little nit-picky for our purposes.

I’m taking the night off.  More tomorrow.

Yeah, I didn’t quite get to them last night.

Ann and I spent all of yesterday photographing a wedding, so I never got a chance to do updates.  I’ll throw some up in a little while and regular updates will commence tomorrow.

– Dave

I got busy on other projects last night, so just a few posts today.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $8500.

This GPW will need some work.  More pics on the ad.

“First registered in 1948 when auctioned by the D.O.D.and according to the VIN number, this Light Utility Vehicle is believed to be a 1942 WWII production Ford GPW “Jeep”.;Visit this web site for more information on the Ford GPW Jeep…http://www.kaiserwillys.com/about_willys_jeep_mb_history_specs. As can be seen in the pictures, this was a project started many years ago before the value as an historic vehicle was given consideration. The body has some Bondo here and there, but you’ll be hard pressed to find any rust or any damage to the body or frame. Unlike alot of other WWII Vehicles out there, with a moderate amount of effort, this particular WWII vehicle can be restored fairly easy. The engine and drive train are original to this chassis and have been reconditioned/rebuild and the only modifications are the Alternator, Air Cleaner and Oil Filter (All 3 original units come as spares). The only other mods are the front seats with the originals in the back, the gas tank, which is not connected, the front brakes are now disc type, the currently mounted steering wheel is a CalCustom unit, but the original steering wheel is also included. NEW Side Curtains and Top with bBows included and comes with a later 1963 Utility Trailer. Clean un-dated and signed title to both vehicles. The owner has passed away and I’m advertising the Jeep for the family located in Walnut, California who has Power of Attorney for any other legal docs you may desire. It is strongly believed the vehicle is drivable but you will have to bring tools, battery and gas to make sure, otherwise SOLD AS IS. Buyer must also arrange pick-up in Walnut, California. The family would also like the prospective buyers to understand that it is a hassle to accept a deposit, cancel this ad and then not have the sale go through, so please understand that the two vehicles are subject to 1st come, 1st served. That said, and after all is said and done, I can add that hopefully a little dickering between parties will make this a pleasant transaction; Feel free to contact me with questions.”

3Taps has pulled off the gloves.   The company that produced one of the best national search mechanisms based on Craigslist data has filed a counter suit against Craigslist claiming the company’s behavior is anticompetitive.  I can’t help but think that 3Taps has been angling for a fight with Craigslist since its inception.  It have to know Craigslist would go after them, as it has been sending Cease and Desist letters to other sites for years.  This results of this suit could resonate throughout secondary marketplace communities.  For example, there were websites that combine eBay listings with other auction listings, providing a one stop auction site.  eBay used Craiglist’s tactic of C/D letters to shut them down.  So, the decision may define the meaning of ‘public information’ and may also decide if/when/where classified ads/auction ads constitute copyrightable material.

The CEO of 3Taps Greg Kidd says,

While  we  respect  what  craigslist  has accomplished in the past in  attaining dominance over online classified advertising, we object to them using that market power illegally to stifle innovation and hurt consumers.  As  craigslist  spends  heavily  to  bully  and  intimidate  companies  that  challenge  them, consumers  are  deprived  of  better  ways  to  find  and  execute  real-time  exchange transactions.