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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Old Photo of Bantam BRC-40 on eBay

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

“WWII PHOTO Bantam BRC-40 Jeep w/GI. This is a nice sharp original 3.5″ x 2.5″ photo in excellent condition. ——I have other photos listed and will combine shipping. If you are the winning bidder on 2 or more photos wait for the invoice.”

View all the information on eBay

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The First Jeep by Paul Bruno

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

Last month I learned about Paul Bruno’s new book, The First Jeep.  “The First Jeep” is the initial release in Bruno’s Project Management in History series which will continue to investigate the entrepreneurial lessons that can be learned from compelling historical projects.

I’d planned to read it and report on it, but my time this month has disappeared (where did it go??), so I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. However, I wanted to make sure I mentioned the book in case anyone wanted to order it. As soon as I get done reading it, I’ll update the post with my thoughts. I have thumbed through it and learned that it’s got both early jeep history coupled with a parallel discussion of lessons to be learned form Bantam’s experience.

Project Management in History: The First Jeep (Project Management in History Series) (Volume 1)

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1944 Photo of Ford GP Hauling Hay on eBay

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

This is another of a series of Ford GP photos from Lake Geneva.

“You are bidding on an original press photo of WWII Jeep Hauling Hay Trailer Lake Geneva WI Farm. Photo measures 7 x 9 inches and is dated 1/20/1944.”

View all the information on eBay

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Robin’s Collection of Photos and Brochures

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

Robin Smith has been busy building a great assortment of brochures, photos and press photos. Below is one of a Willys MA .

He has posted his photos at Flickr —
Press photos :https://www.flickr.com/photos/alturusphoto/sets/72157647046139314/
Non-press photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alturusphoto/sets/72157648960517757/
Brochures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alturusphoto/sets/72157630706512810/

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Laser Scanning the Bantam BRC-60 Frame

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

The Austin Bantam Society shared a link to this interesting story about the use of a laser scanner by Direct Dimensions, INC, to scan what they describe as the Bantam BRC frame, but is really a BRC-60 frame according to Bill Spear. I’d read that the frame broke after heavy testing, but I don’t see any obvious breaks. I didn’t know it had been saved. It definitely has decayed.

http://www.laserdesign.com/project_news/200/

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Bantam BRC original prototype frame

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A Couple Jeep Postcards **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

There are eleven postcards in this set. Only two were of jeeps. One is a great shot of a Ford GP.

“This lot contains 11 military (Army) vintage unused postcards some from Pine Camp NY, some from Fort Knox KY and 2 others are illustrations not colored photos and no location is noted. They were made by 2 different companies Genuine Curteich – Chicago Il and Santway Photo-Craft Company, Watertown NY. While unused most backs show soilage and most paper cards have creases. It seems that the linen cards resisted creasing but was not altogether immune. All have white borders and the fronts of the postcards show very little soilage.

I am not a postcard collector so see scans of fronts and make your own grading determination. I am not a professional grader just an avid collector selling off a 30 year collection so watch for my other auctions. I will describe the items as well and as accurately as I can and have tried to make my scans clear and show the whole item so that there will be no hidden surprises.”

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1941 Photo of Bantam BRC-60s

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

Not the best quality, but this first photo appeared in the February 13, 1941, issue of the Spokesman Review. The photo shows Bantam BRC-60s laying down a smokescreen. The caption calls the vehicles “midget trucks” and then claims the trucks are called “bugs” by the troops.

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However, by May 7th, 1941, the Spokesman Review was referring to the vehicle not as a truck, but as a command car called a “jeep”.

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