This ad March 05, 1949, ad in the Beatrice times (Beatrice, Nebraska) from M. O. Trindel, and authorized Jeep Sales and Service provider underscores his enthusiasm for the Willys 1949 line-up of vehicles. His argument that Willys-Overland’s lack of innovation (models didn’t change yearly) was a competitive differentiator that I hadn’t considered, but this meant there was much internal innovation. I would argue that instead of Willys-Overland and Willys Motors innovating internally, they left the innovations to the special equipment folks, from tops and hubs to winches and other pto equipment.
YES, innovative indeed, another example of dealership salesmanship believing in the product they sell as a way to increase sales. In many ways, this type of thought helped the JEEP name brand survive into today’s market place. Think of all the American car makers of 1949 that are now just a memory.