Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs Research Archives

Prior to the finalization of the MB Jeep, The American Bantam, Ford, and Willys all created pilot and prototype jeeps in an attempt to win Army contracts. Bantam built the very first jeep, the Bantam BRC. They also built the BRC-60 and BRC-40. Ford built the Pygmy, the Budd, and the GP. Willys built the Willys Quad and the Willys MA. Checker appears to have built one based on Bantam parts. Finally, are rumors of a jeep by York-Hoover, but I’ve never nailed down actual pictures. See this post: http://www.ewillys.com/2010/03/14/york-hoover-all-terrain-prototype/

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Auto Parts Sign with Bantam BRC-40 Image $800

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Located in San Francisco, this sign supposed hung at Sherpa’s Auto Parts. Pretty cool sign. 8′ x 4′

https://www.facebook.com/groups/227689400988963/posts/1857446118013275

sherbas-auto-parts-sign-bantam-brc40

“This sign is an awesome addition for any man cave. This sign hung in the Scherba’s Auto Parts Store on 32nd and Taraval Streets in San Francisco’s Sunset District for years before the store closed (currently the store is an O’Reilly’s). The sign is made from wood and is roughly 8 feet long and 4 feet wide.
This features a WWII era Jeep and the words “Military Jeep 1944” below the graphic. The price above is my “I don’t want to sell it” price so low ball offers will just be ignored.
I’m also open to trades of 50’s & 60’s porcelain automotive signs, Jeep grills, or street legal dirt bikes.”

 
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1965 Work-and-Hobby Horse Ads

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: I ran across another of these Work-and Hobby Horse Ads from 1965. It appears to be part of a campaign, but I don’t know how many ads were created. I’ll update this post as I locate others.

This ad is available on eBay and was featured in the Farm Journal Magazine and possibly others:

1965-work-hobby-jeep-ad4

Here’s one from PINTREST and features a Tux Park IV:

1965-work-hobby-jeep-ad

This ad from PINTREST shows off both the CJ-6 and CJ-5 Tux Parks:

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This one was made into a metal sign, so it’s not an exact copy of the ad. It’s for sale on eBay:

1965-work-hobby-jeep-ad2

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This was originally published March 06, 2022: Barry Thomas (Farmjeep.com) shared this 1965 ad that shows a CJ-5 being used as an extra farm hand. If anyone happens to have any ads showing a CJ-5 on the farm or with a lift, Barry would be very interested in it.

1965-cj5-farm-jeep-ad

 
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1941 Ford GP Eastern Montana **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was Make Offer

This Ford GP popped up for sale yesterday on Facebook.

“For sale 1940’s ford gp. I have been thinking about this project for months and came to the conclusion that I don’t have time or shop space to give it the proper rebuild. I know what it’s worth so please no low ball offers. Sorry no title. Located in eastern mt. I am taking offers or offers + trade.”

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“Enter the Baby Buggy” Video

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Just a few updates today’s , as we spent the day in Seattle and returned to find one of our dogs having locked herself in our garage (for who knows how long) … she was a bit traumatized …

This British “Baby Buggy Video” is an edited version of the Ford video that introduces the Ford GPs to the world, so much of the video may look familiar:

 
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Gasoline Ration Book w/ Ford GP on Cover on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This Gasoline Ration Book prominently features a Ford GP-looking jeep.

View all the information on eBay

““Sinclair Oil Willys Jeep WWII Uncle Sam Gasoline Ration Book Alton IL. 4 X 2 inch paper folder/sleeve with mileage card and ration stamps. honest wear from use and age.”

gasoline-ration-book2 gasoline-ration-book3 gasoline-ration-book4

 
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August 1969 Cars & Parts Jeep History Article

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Magazine This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I ran across this August 1969 Cars & Parts magazine on ebay with the below history about jeep history. In it, the author references the use of “GP” or “General Purpose”, claiming that was how the military referred to the jeep. I still have yet to document any evidence that during WWII jeeps were labeled or referred to as “GP” or “General Purpose”. So, I wish the article’s author would have included a reference or example (and welcome any examples).

As I have argued before, the switch from Ford calling its prototype a Pygmy to the company calling it a GP happened without explanation, other than this excuse: G=government and P=80″ wheelbase. But, if that’s the case, why wasn’t the first one called a GP? And, where is the GL, GO, GQ, GR, GT, GV, VW models built by Ford? And what are the chances Ford’s initialism, when sounded out as an acronym, *just happened* to sound like the word “jeep”, a term that was making the rounds about the time the Pygmy was dropped off at Holabird (according to later court testimony).

Anyway, here’s the article:

1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-1 1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-2 1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-3 1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-4 1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-5 1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-cover

 
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“Phantom Automobiles” Postcard

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Postcards This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Chris was wondering if anyone knows more about why this postcard describes these vehicles as “Phantoms”, especially when the look more like Ford GPs than Bantam prototypes?

postcard-bantam-phantom1 postcard-bantam-phantom2

 
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Ford GP Pintle Hitch Vermilion, OH $500

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Parts This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Roger Martin shared this ad for an original Ford GP Pintle hook, but I haven’t followed prices on these to know if this is a good one or not. (You can get repro versions on eBay for $175)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/460133987854448

“I’m looking to sell my ford GP pintle hitch prototype asking 500 located in vermilion Ohio willing to ship”

gp-pintle-hitch-vermilion-oh

 
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Phat Farm Ford GP Shirt (XL) on **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay. Barney picked up this one.

If you love Ford GPs, you might just love this shirt.

phat-farm-ford-gp-shirt

 
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Fall 1942 College Humor Article Ford GP

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Magazine This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This article popped up in a Fall 1942 issue of College Humor. I was able to find a copy on eBAY. As you can see, this features a Ford GP.  We’ve seen a few of these pics in other magazines.

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