The Milner Library at Illinois State University has a collection of Circus Memorabilia, including a nice digital archive. I’ve selected a couple of images that show jeeps Numbers 3, 4, and 5 from the Ringling Barnum Circus.
As you can see below, No 3 is working hard holding up Carmen Barrigon, while No. 4 lazily watches.
http://digital.library.illinoisstate.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/circus/id/1166/rec/4
Meanwhile, No. 5 is doing all the heavily lifting. The photographer, Sverre O. Braathen, calls this a Ford Jeep, but it looks like a CJ-3A the way the bumper is bolted onto the frame, though it also has a CJ-2A windshield. The rear PTO is raising the platforms for seating. My circus book has a good shot of the PTO setup from the rear, but I haven’t had a chance to scan that.
http://digital.library.illinoisstate.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/circus/id/2021/rec/1
Wow, look at the arm muscles on Carmen. Maybe she was a trapeze performer, definitely had a lot of upper body strength.
I must say, she has good upper body structure; my imagination runs wild…
Man, they sure don’t build ’em like that anymore!!!!!
That jeep could be a late production 2A as they shared the 3A style frame in 48. I see it has already had a hard life, the frame horns have been reenforced on the side, and the spare tire mounting area of the tub appears to have some damage or modification. Great shots!
so this pic is 62 years old, the girl is maybe 18……..which makes her 80. now imagine that! nice jeeps however. wonder what the holes in the hood were for
Found this:
http://www.circushistory.org/History/RBBB1951.htm#Top
RODOLFOS TROUPE:
Rodolfo Caroli
Carmen Barrigon
Silvia Caroli
Mrs. Rodolfo
The Rodolfos, Balancing Foot Ladder Marvels.
Don’t know what a Balancing foot ladder is…..
i would not kick her out of bed for eating crackers
Oh, was there a girl in the picture? Oh, there she is. I wish she’d get off of there, she’s blocking the view of the second Jeep. (lol)
Thanks for sharing the interesting circus info, Randy M.
I still have a heart throb for “CARMELIA” …