The fourth installment of the 1963 Jeep News shifted back to eight pages with this issue. It’s clear from the front pages thus far in 1963 that the Wagoneer and Gladiators were popular additions to the jeep line up. Each month seemed to bring reports of new sales highs.
Also interesting on page one is the reference to Wide World of Sports (WWOS) filming the 1963 Jeeporama near Boulder, Colorado. Unfortunately, I had no luck finding any WWOS episodes related to that filming.
Page two brings us the story of Noble Trenham and Dean Fisher, a pair of adventurers who went around the world in a modified FC-170. Their story includes their interrogation by Colombian officials who didn’t believe they were on a goodwill tour. The situation looked dire until they produced evidence of attending USC; it turned out their interrogators were familiar with two local boys who were also attending USC. You can read that story here: https://issuu.com/trailsmag/docs/august-2012/25, which is part of a series titled A True TrailBlazer in Trailblazer magazine (series starts with this April issue).
The article also mentioned that a book was in the works. Well, the work took decades, because it wasn’t until 2018 that a book was finally published by Dean Fisher (if there’s an earlier book, I didn’t find it in my brief searches). I just bought a copy, so I’ll let you know what I think: https://www.amazon.com/Roads-Peoples-Birds-Mountaintops-Billabongs/dp/1622881877 .
Page three of this Jeep news shares one of the more interesting DJ-3A ice cream trucks I’ve ever seen. I wonder what ever happened to it? Also on page three, the page reported that the Sareea Al Jamel 4WD Club of Indio’s annual desert trip drew 322 vehicles and 978 people!
Pages four, five and six celebrate the 60th year of the company, starting with Overland. Page seven includes a variety of photos, including a CJ-3B, which is a surprise given those rigs had been ignored by the editors of Jeep News for years!
Page eight tells the story of the “Jeep mounted band”, while a photo farther down on the page shows another example of a Virgin Islands FC used as a tour jeep (here is a different example).
Interesting that on page 4 the photo showing progression of military vehicles they state that the first MA is still in the possession of the company. I have heard lots of “stories” that indicate it was destroyed in the early 50’s. This is the latest date that I have seen that it exists.
Interesting photo on Jeep development. it does show how large the A1 is in comparison to MB/GPWs.
A mounted Army band! That’s a new one to me. In the ’50s and early ’60s, the Army had a few community relations things like that. There was a helicopter square dance team where helicopters maneuvered a few feet off the ground. Combine that with the Jeep band and you’d have quite a show. As a kid, my two favorite things were Jeeps and helicopters. Still are.
The Canadian Air Force, being loaned vehicles for an air show isn’t unusual. When the USAF Thunderbirds come to a town, the organizer has to provide a few cars. Back in the old days, dealers would loan them cars. If the local Ford dealer was on the ball, he’d loan them some T-birds. Today cars are just rented. Two years ago I was part of a team which flew a B-25 during a base open house, we got a new Subaru wagon.
The Golden Hawks flew Canadian built F-86 and T-33 variants. Today, Canada has The Snowbirds aerobatic team.
Lindsay,
I was also confused by this caption/photo. Seems like an editing mistake. The Jeep on the far left is actually the Willys Quad prototype rather than an MA. At least 2 were known to have been built. One of them being 4 wheel steering. This lineup photo was taken in 1952 when the M38a1 was released. Not sure why they didn’t add an MA to the lineup. Lots of speculation about the Quad’s existence today. It’s hard to believe that it was actually destroyed after this picture was taken as they knew of its significance. I bet it will turn up in someone’s barn someday!
Yes I was trying to keep my comment simple without going into detail.
MA #1 has not surfaced and the photo shows the Quad or one of them anyway.
This topic is always a great discussion but the final question is where is MA #1 or any quad.
Interesting it was referenced in 1963. If it really was in existence in 1963 I would tend to believe or hope it is still alive somewhere. .
Lindsay, that would have been a great question to pose to Ron Szymanski (Jeep House Museum) had he still been with us. If anyone knew what was hidden in Jeep’s caverns, you’d think it would be him. And Dave Uhrig too! (founder of Army Jeep Parts). Shows the value of having these discussions while everyone’s still with us.
Barney: If we only had the foresight to have these discussions at the right times! I have a very long list of questions for my grandmother; sadly I was not aware enough to have them when she was around.
Lindsey: I’ve never heard any whispers of the location of MA#1 or any Quad, but I am aware of some private jeep collections that remain exceedingly private, so there is a glimmer of hope that one or more of those still exist.