UPDATE: Maury pointed out that a porcelain sign of this badge sold in 2017 (see bottom).
In the April of 1946 issue of the Saturday Evening Post (same month in Colliers, too), Willys-Overland introduced a new advertising badge for the Willys engine.
As you can see in the introduction ad (A New Chapter), it was matched with the announcement of the Willys-Overland Jeep Station Wagon, though the ad hides the wagon in anticipation of its summer of 1946 launch.
The badge made a second appearance within the release-announcement of the station wagon in the August 18, 1946, issue of the Saturday Evening Post.
The next month, in September of 1946, the badge appears for a third time, again associated with the wagon.
As quickly as the badge appeared, it disappeared with the same speed. For the October 1946 ad, which included a wagon in it, the Saturday Evening Post seemingly replaced the engine badge with a smaller badge, one with a “W” over the “O”. It’s the earliest jeep ad I can find with that badge (if anyone knows of another, earlier ad, please let me know).
At some point, there was a porcelain version of the sign. One sold on eBay in 2017:
Dave
Good morning.
Would like to make t shirts with the original badge on back of shirt and the newer W on t-shirt pocket.
Anybody know of good place to get some t- shirts made?
Here’s a porcelain sign version of that badge (in one of your posts from 2017):
http://www.ewillys.com/2017/10/15/porcelain-jeep-engine-sign-on-ebay/
Maury: Thanks, I’ve updated the post.
Bob: Decal Impressions in Cincinnati has been great to deal with t-shirts, posters, and stickers. I don’t have a hires version of the badge design, so building that would be the first step.
Dave
Just talked to Brian.
Happy to send you t-shirt or two or three. How do I get high resolution image for him to copy? Once made hope I can put some for sale on Ewillys.
JAJAJAJAJA ~ UNDER-powered by the famous WILLYS ” JEEP ” flatty 4
Bob: I would have sent you his number if I’d known how serious you are. Sure, I’d post them for sale for you.
I don’t have a hi res graphic of this at the moment. I would have to build it. I’ll see what I can put together. It might be a couple days.
the one farmer in the ad says ” what a honey ” — on the farm too long ??
Bob,
I’d buy a couple of those shirts if it happens.
Matt
sounds like a nice t-shirt , I would be interested in a couple
I found this porcelain double sided sign at an auction. amazing