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Ford History in Richmond, California,

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

Steve shared some links that provide a little history about the manufacture of WWII vehicles, including the jeep, at the Ford Assembly Plant in Richmond, California.

This first link provides information about jeep contracts and more (http://fordmotorhistory.com/factories/richmond/richmond_jeeps.php):

Assembly of jeeps at Richmond was a fairly simple process. The plant received most components from Dearborn, including the frames, which had already received a first coat of paint there. Workers placed a frame on the assembly-line conveyor and then attached springs and front and rear axle assemblies. Then they gave the entire chassis a second coat of paint. Next they installed the engine, steering gear, transmission, transfer case, battery, wheels, radiator, body, gasoline, oil, and coolant.

A Ford inspector then started the jeep for the first time and took it for a 5-mile test drive, noting deficiencies that were rectified upon return to the plant. Then Ford turned the jeep over to Ordnance for inspection and acceptance. Ordnance inspected every jeep with at least a 1-mile road test. Ten percent of the jeeps received a 5-mile test, and 1 percent received a 100-mile test. Once accepted. Ordnance returned each jeep to Ford, where it was sent it to a screen room for a radio suppression test under the supervision of an Ordnance inspector. Then Ford took the jeep to the disassembly line where it was prepared for boxing.

The workers at Richmond also did their part to send reading material to the troops abroad (http://fordmotorhistory.com/factories/richmond/richmond_jeeps.php):

Workers at the Richmond branch did more to support the troops in the field than simply do excellent work in preparing tanks and other combat vehicles for shipment abroad. They also undertook a special project aimed at bolstering the morale of soldiers on the front lines, far from home. Under the leadership of Frank Vivian, an engineer in the boiler room, members of UAW Local 560 (who called themselves the “boilerhouse gang”) collected current magazines and newspapers from members of the community, wrapped them in packages, and placed a package in each completed jeep or tank before it was sealed for shipment. By November 1944, workers at the Richmond Tank Depot had sent 40 tons of magazines, bundled and stowed in vehicles, to the troops in the theatres of war.

This next link explains that a new tank contract forced the boxing of jeeps temporarily outside (http://fordmotorhistory.com/factories/richmond/richmond_tanks.php):

The San Francisco Ordnance District received instructions from the Office of the Chief of Ordnance in May 1942 to begin the preliminary work of establishing a tank depot in the Bay Area. By then, the Richmond branch had been assembling jeeps for several months. A short time later, an officer in Washington called the Ford Motor Company to inquire about the availability of the Richmond branch to prepare tanks for shipment overseas ….. When the tank-depot contract was signed, the Richmond branch was using the craneway to box jeeps for shipment abroad. That operation had to be moved outside immediately. Shortly thereafter. Ford built a boxing shed along the east side of the plant to facilitate the crating of jeeps and other vehicles. 

The article also references the known flotation issues with the GPA (SEEP) (http://fordmotorhistory.com/factories/richmond/richmond_tanks.php):

Another accident had occurred the previous month that reflected a different sort of laxity as the war drew to a close. On April 14, two Ford workers took an amphibian jeep for an unauthorized cruise in the bay while a group of the vehicles was being prepared for shipment. Ordnance and Ford managers had received instructions not to test the amphibians because they were not yet ready for travel in water, but the workers evidently had not heard or heeded the instructions. The amphibian jeep sank about 100 feet from shore in 30 feet of water. One worker swam to shore, but the other had to be rescued by some nearby Signal Corpsmen. The depot had to hire a barge and diver to locate and retrieve the jeep.

 

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1958 FC-150 w/Dump Bed Southbury, CT **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** on eBay for $11,099.

Neat FC with an EZ Dumper on the back.

View all the information on eBay

1958-fc150-southbury-ct

“I purchased this FC in West Covina California in 2011. It had no engine or transmission but was unusually rust free. I shipped it back and bought a running but very rusty FC locally. I had the engine rebuilt by Carlquist Competition Engines in Oakville CT. I installed new seals and bearings in the transmission and transfer case, an alternator conversion kit, a new water pump, a new carburetor, electric fuel pump and all new wires and sensors. The exhaust is also new from manifold to tailpipe. The front end, brakes, and bearings were in good shape. I then bought the (used but like new) EZ Dumper bed and adapted it to fit the frame. I added rear fenders and a custom aluminum fuel tank. The tires were new 5 years ago and have less than 10 miles on them.

There are 2 electric fans ( one pushing, one pulling) on an adjustable temperature switch for cooling.The FC appears to have had a prior restoration years ago. It starts and runs well and I have many extra parts from the rusty FC and a spare CJ3A engine, including ; front and rear axles, a rebuildable block head and crankshaft, 4-15″ rims, misc interior trim parts, distributor, pistons and connecting rods 2 Carter carburetors (the new carb is a Solex) a new Carter aftermarket replacement carb, front and rear springs, misc. bolts and linkages a front and rear windshield and a complete dashboard.”

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2018 Northern Ohio Flatfender Willys Gathering SEPT 16th!!

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

*** UPDATE: Bob’s just informed me that they have moved the Gathering from Sunday Sept 8th to Sunday Sept 16th due to the predicted heavy rains (4″ predicted) from the remnants of Hurricane Gordon. ***

Bob’s holding his annual Northern Ohio Flatfender Willys Gathering on Sunday September 9th from 11:00am to 4:00pm.  Contact Bob through Facebook or email him at the email address on the pic below.

2018-bob-christy-show

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Famous “Sand Hills Jeep” Postcard

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

I just bought this for a few buck on eBay. How about this crazy contraption for running dunes? The postcard is a jumbo 6.5″ x 9″. I looked for more information about it, but all I could find was a reference in a book by J. Conrad and Kathyln Dunagan about a Jeep developed in the sand dunes (see bottom pic).

“Jumbo Antique Postcard 1970’s Chrome Famous Sand Hills Jeep Texas Sand Dunes”

sand-hills-jeep-postcard-tx1

sand-hills-jeep-postcard-tx2

Google result that shows a reference to a “jeep ride”

j-conrad-dunagan-book-blurb

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1942 Jeeps #1 Comic Book on eBay

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

The buy now price is only $7.99.

View all the information on eBay

“Very First Edition of this military humor magazine which I think later was just called Army and Navy Fun – military based cartoons and jokes- excellent condition inside and out pages are browned but not torn and fully intact cover shows slight wear very nice condition- please check out all my estate collectible publications in great condition”

1942-jeeps-comic-book

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1948 Wagon Aurora, OH $46,750

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

This was listed on Sellajeep.com. Whether it’s perfect enough or not for the price is up to the buyer, but it is a nice looking wagon.

http://www.sellajeep.com/mjs/sale18/adm349/adm349.html

“1948 Willys Wagon in Excellent condition including the ORIGINAL FLOORMAT and ORIGINAL BASKETWEAVE HEADLINER IN PERFECT CONDITION. Includes the “7th seat ” in rear cargo area. Runs and drives perfectly. Previous owner had the exterior repainted to Willys factory specs.”

1948-wagon-aurora-oh

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1978 DJ-5 Selma, IN **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $7000.

“Right hand drive postal jeep came from South Carolina absolutely no rust over three thousand dollars in receipts. New springs, shocks, tires, carpet, and battery just about everything has been replaced. has a 232 six cylinder motor.”

1978-dj5

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1948 CJ-2A Charlotte, MI $12,500

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

May need some brake work.

https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/rvs/d/1948-willys-jeep-cj2a/6678059539.html

“Selling this jeep. It has been in storage for a few years. Fully restored with soft top and doors. Includes original hard top (not restored) and a few spare parts.

New battery, spark plugs, and ignition coil or condenser. Brake pedal is loose, and likely only needs a flush.
No trades.”

1948-cj2a-charlotte-mi7 1948-cj2a-charlotte-mi8 1948-cj2a-charlotte-mi9

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