Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs Research Archives

Prior to the finalization of the MB Jeep, The American Bantam, Ford, and Willys all created pilot and prototype jeeps in an attempt to win Army contracts. Bantam built the very first jeep, the Bantam BRC. They also built the BRC-60 and BRC-40. Ford built the Pygmy, the Budd, and the GP. Willys built the Willys Quad and the Willys MA. Checker appears to have built one based on Bantam parts. Finally, are rumors of a jeep by York-Hoover, but I’ve never nailed down actual pictures. See this post: http://www.ewillys.com/2010/03/14/york-hoover-all-terrain-prototype/

To Top

Auto Parts Sign with Bantam BRC-40 Image $800

May 24, 2024 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
1

Located in San Francisco, this sign supposed hung at Sherpa’s Auto Parts. Pretty cool sign. 8′ x 4′

https://www.facebook.com/groups/227689400988963/posts/1857446118013275

sherbas-auto-parts-sign-bantam-brc40

“This sign is an awesome addition for any man cave. This sign hung in the Scherba’s Auto Parts Store on 32nd and Taraval Streets in San Francisco’s Sunset District for years before the store closed (currently the store is an O’Reilly’s). The sign is made from wood and is roughly 8 feet long and 4 feet wide.
This features a WWII era Jeep and the words “Military Jeep 1944” below the graphic. The price above is my “I don’t want to sell it” price so low ball offers will just be ignored.
I’m also open to trades of 50’s & 60’s porcelain automotive signs, Jeep grills, or street legal dirt bikes.”

 
To Top

1965 Work-and-Hobby Horse Ads

April 15, 2024 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

UPDATE: I ran across another of these Work-and Hobby Horse Ads from 1965. It appears to be part of a campaign, but I don’t know how many ads were created. I’ll update this post as I locate others.

This ad is available on eBay and was featured in the Farm Journal Magazine and possibly others:

1965-work-hobby-jeep-ad4

Here’s one from PINTREST and features a Tux Park IV:

1965-work-hobby-jeep-ad

This ad from PINTREST shows off both the CJ-6 and CJ-5 Tux Parks:

1965-work-hobby-jeep-ad3

This one was made into a metal sign, so it’s not an exact copy of the ad. It’s for sale on eBay:

1965-work-hobby-jeep-ad2

=========================

This was originally published March 06, 2022: Barry Thomas (Farmjeep.com) shared this 1965 ad that shows a CJ-5 being used as an extra farm hand. If anyone happens to have any ads showing a CJ-5 on the farm or with a lift, Barry would be very interested in it.

1965-cj5-farm-jeep-ad

 
To Top

1941 Ford GP Eastern Montana **SOLD**

February 4, 2024 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
3

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was Make Offer

This Ford GP popped up for sale yesterday on Facebook.

“For sale 1940’s ford gp. I have been thinking about this project for months and came to the conclusion that I don’t have time or shop space to give it the proper rebuild. I know what it’s worth so please no low ball offers. Sorry no title. Located in eastern mt. I am taking offers or offers + trade.”

1941-ford-gp-easternmontana5 1941-ford-gp-easternmontana6 1941-ford-gp-easternmontana7 1941-ford-gp-easternmontana8 1941-ford-gp-easternmontana9

 
To Top

“Enter the Baby Buggy” Video

January 31, 2024 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

Just a few updates today’s , as we spent the day in Seattle and returned to find one of our dogs having locked herself in our garage (for who knows how long) … she was a bit traumatized …

This British “Baby Buggy Video” is an edited version of the Ford video that introduces the Ford GPs to the world, so much of the video may look familiar:

 
To Top

Gasoline Ration Book w/ Ford GP on Cover on eBay

October 29, 2023 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
1

This Gasoline Ration Book prominently features a Ford GP-looking jeep.

View all the information on eBay

““Sinclair Oil Willys Jeep WWII Uncle Sam Gasoline Ration Book Alton IL. 4 X 2 inch paper folder/sleeve with mileage card and ration stamps. honest wear from use and age.”

gasoline-ration-book2 gasoline-ration-book3 gasoline-ration-book4

 
To Top

August 1969 Cars & Parts Jeep History Article

October 19, 2023 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Magazine This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2

I ran across this August 1969 Cars & Parts magazine on ebay with the below history about jeep history. In it, the author references the use of “GP” or “General Purpose”, claiming that was how the military referred to the jeep. I still have yet to document any evidence that during WWII jeeps were labeled or referred to as “GP” or “General Purpose”. So, I wish the article’s author would have included a reference or example (and welcome any examples).

As I have argued before, the switch from Ford calling its prototype a Pygmy to the company calling it a GP happened without explanation, other than this excuse: G=government and P=80″ wheelbase. But, if that’s the case, why wasn’t the first one called a GP? And, where is the GL, GO, GQ, GR, GT, GV, VW models built by Ford? And what are the chances Ford’s initialism, when sounded out as an acronym, *just happened* to sound like the word “jeep”, a term that was making the rounds about the time the Pygmy was dropped off at Holabird (according to later court testimony).

Anyway, here’s the article:

1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-1 1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-2 1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-3 1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-4 1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-5 1969-08-cars-and-parts-magazine-gp-to-jeep-cover

 
To Top

“Phantom Automobiles” Postcard

August 9, 2023 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Postcards This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
7

Chris was wondering if anyone knows more about why this postcard describes these vehicles as “Phantoms”, especially when the look more like Ford GPs than Bantam prototypes?

postcard-bantam-phantom1 postcard-bantam-phantom2

 
To Top

Ford GP Pintle Hitch Vermilion, OH $500

June 27, 2023 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Parts This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2

Roger Martin shared this ad for an original Ford GP Pintle hook, but I haven’t followed prices on these to know if this is a good one or not. (You can get repro versions on eBay for $175)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/460133987854448

“I’m looking to sell my ford GP pintle hitch prototype asking 500 located in vermilion Ohio willing to ship”

gp-pintle-hitch-vermilion-oh

 
To Top

Phat Farm Ford GP Shirt (XL) on **SOLD**

May 17, 2023 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay. Barney picked up this one.

If you love Ford GPs, you might just love this shirt.

phat-farm-ford-gp-shirt

 
To Top

Fall 1942 College Humor Article Ford GP

March 27, 2023 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Magazine This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

This article popped up in a Fall 1942 issue of College Humor. I was able to find a copy on eBAY. As you can see, this features a Ford GP.  We’ve seen a few of these pics in other magazines.

1942-fall-college-humor-2 1942-fall-college-humor-1

 
To Top

Postcard & 1942 Photo of Ford GP “Super Jeep” 6×6

January 5, 2023 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
8

UPDATE II: There’s no date on this rare 6×6 Super Jeep postcard that I just picked up from eBay. I imagine this was published around 1942 or 43. It looks like the postcard was based on this press photo at the bottom of this post.

super-jeep-6x6-postcard-1 super-jeep-6x6-postcard-2

=====================================

Originally poste on February 13, 2014: 

Craig spotted this rare photo. It shows a Ford GP 6×6, which also appears to be called a Ford GP T14 37mm. I’m not clear on how many were made, but this one (or something very similar) can be seen here: http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_465000-Ford-GP-T14-37mm-GMC-1941.html

1942-04-18-ford-gp-6x6-1 1942-04-18-ford-gp-6x6-2

 
To Top

Ford GP Found in a Junk Yard

November 25, 2022 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
4

Bill shared this video of a Ford GP that was found in a junk yard (The Jeep was found there, not the video). A bit too much patina for my taste.

 
To Top

Ford GP Rim Everett, WA $450

November 1, 2022 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Tires and Rims This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

I’m not sure how much these rims are worth, but there aren’t many around.

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/pts/7550812327.html

“This is an original WW2 4″ x 16″ solid disc jeep wheel . Very good condition. Still retains its olive drab paint. Location is in Everett WA. I am posting it in a few places to find the right buyer.”

ford-gp-rim-everett-wa1 ford-gp-rim-everett-wa2 ford-gp-rim-everett-wa3

 
To Top

Nov. 1941 Article on Jeeps in Libya

August 14, 2022 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2

This November 22, 1941, article in the New York Daily news about a British strike force in Libya that used some jeeps. The jeep pictured appears to be the original Ford Pygmy.

1941-11-22-dailynews-ny-libya-ford-gp

 
To Top

Updates on the Racer

July 3, 2022 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2

I hope everyone enjoys their Fourth of July! We are spending it at home as we work on various projects. I’ve mostly been focusing on jeeps, while Ann has taken on painting the guest house a barn-red color. 

I spent some time a couple days ago work on the racer’s frame (removing and grinding). Along the way I discovered a few interesting tidbits.

Here’s where I started, with the gas tank, battery, and cowl in place. Because I want to gain a few more inches for the cockpit, I want to move the gas tank and battery back farther, which means redoing the mounts for both.

Before removal:

2022-06-30-frame-work-racer02

After .. you can more easily see the custom crossmember that was added when the frame was widened. Not the prettiest installation work.

2022-06-30-frame-work-racer01

While looking at the rear of the frame, I noticed that the frame seems to widened further in back. It turns out the rear of the frame rails is about 1.5″ wider than the mid section and front section of the frame. I don’t believe that was intentional. Here are a couple pics looking down both frames rails. It’s easy to see the frame’s bows. However, I don’t want to redo the entire frame at this point; I’m more interested in functionality.

2022-06-30-frame-work-racer0 2022-06-30-frame-work-racer1

It’s hard not to want to toss the frame and do a full rebuild, but I don’t want to make that investment of time and money until I’m sure I still enjoy racing. It just has to be safe, comfy, and dependable. Looks can come later.

Continue reading →

 
To Top

The Caissons Go Rolling Along

April 28, 2022 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, videos • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
1

UPDATE: Grant spotted this video whose first segment includes the music at the bottom and glimpses of some early prototype jeeps (Bantams various points, mostly between :30 and 2:20 and a Ford GP around mark :50): 

 

===================

Originally published March 27, 2019:  Carl pointed out that the 1944 sheet music for “The Caissons Go Rolling Along” sheet music included a jeep on the cover (#1 below). After some searching on eBay, some other popped up. I bought the bottom one that features the Ford GP and Willys MA.

  1. This was posted on eBay in 2019:
    1944-the-caissons-go-rolling-along1
  2. Also available eon eBay in 2019:
    1944-the-caissons-go-rolling-along2
  3. Also available on eBay in 2019:
    1944-the-caissons-go-rolling-along3
  4. The music I bought in 2019:
    1944-the-caissons-go-rolling-along4
 
To Top

WWII Jeep Gets an Honorable Discharge

April 23, 2022 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
11

UPDATE: I had something else planned for today, but my email turned flakey, so those pics will have to wait until tomorrow …. This is the third time I’ve reposted this, as the first two links turned back.  I first posted the video below in 2015. It’s worth a second third look.

This video is called “WWII Jeep Gets an Honorable Discharge” and shows Mayor Fred Heine’s Ford GP. The video shows the jeep working on the farm. Lots of great shots. Wyatt’s father was the first person to work on it when Fred Heine couldn’t get it started. The jeep is now at the U.S.Veterans Memorial Museum in Huntsville Alabama, which was featured last week.

 

 
To Top

Various Pics

January 29, 2022 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
6

Roger has shared these pics over the last week.

This former Army Corps of Engineers Wausau Iron Works plow is cool. It was shared on G503. You can see a brochure for the plow here.

wausau-iron-works-military-jeep-v-plow1 wausau-iron-works-military-jeep-v-plow2 wausau-iron-works-military-jeep-v-plow3

Morihisa shared this photo of a Willys MA on Facebook:

Willys-MA-fb

Morihisa also shared this one on Facebook:

ford-gp-japan

Continue reading →

 
To Top

Video Covering Restoration of a Bantam BRC-40 Fire Jeep

January 26, 2022 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

Shane mentioned the existence of this video about a Bantam Fire Jeep Restoration by Duncan Rolls, who is well known for his other Bantam recreations (such as the original BRC). For some reason, the video won’t appear within the post, so follow the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXbx2MS5GOA

Here is an older photo of a Bantam fire jeep:

IMG_0953

 

 
To Top

1955 Blunder Boys Movie w/ Real Jeep?

January 9, 2022 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
7

Blaine spotted what appears to be a jeep in the background of this Three Stooges movie. The jeep appears at the 1:08 mark and is shot from a couple angles until the 2:35 mark.

Can you spot the jeep and what model does it most look like to you? To me there are elements that make it look like it was originally a jeep, but it also has some elements that don’t look correct for this particular model.

https://archive.org/details/166.BlunderBoys1955ShempLarryMoe

1955-3-stooges-jeep

 
To Top

Pics from Facebook

January 5, 2022 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images • TAGS: , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2

I don’t think I’ve shared this specific jeep-trailer photo. It was posted by Morihisa Ochi on the G503 Facebook page. He’s posted a number of interesting WWII-jeep photos.

jeep-trailer-conversion-wwii

Here’s another interesting photo from Morihisa Ochi. It shows a Ford GP that’s been converted into more of a truck and a radio jeep.

radio-jeep-phillipines

No date on this photo posted by the Maine Forest Rangers on Facebook:

maine-forest-fire-jeep

This customized jeep was on g503, posted by Graham Thrussell.

custom-jeep-g503-fb

Roger Martin pointed me to this jeep with a modified hardtop sitting on the back:

jeep-sedan-hardtop-fb

Roger also pointed me to this unusual tracked mb:

jeep-tracks-fb

Mario Maipid posted this May 09, 1943, article to Facebook. It indicates the FTC gave credit to Bantam for creating the jeep.

1943-05-09-ny-times

 

 
To Top

1941 Ad Published in Time Magazine – 3 Prototypes

August 4, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
1

Mario posted this ad to Facebook. It was published September 22, 1941, in Time Magazine. It’s unique in that it shows three of the prototype jeeps .. The Bantam BRC-60, The Willys MA (2 of them), and the Ford GP. The ad was created by DeVilbiss Spray Systems of Toledo, Ohio.

https://www.facebook.com/mario.r.maipid/posts/4637446769598838

1941-09-22-time-magazine-the-peeps-are-coming-ad

 

 

 
To Top

1941 Video Footage of Edsel Ford and the Ford GP

May 15, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

This video was part of the press release information by Ford that introduced the new Ford GP. We’ve seen much of this footage previously.

“This black and white 1941 demonstration film, produced by Ford Motion Picture Laboratories and narrated by Michigan sportscaster Harry Wismer, shows U.S. Army Truck, ¼ ton 4×4 Command Reconnaissance vehicles in action at and around the Ford River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan (TRT 0:23).

Opening titles (0:07). Dedication: “This film is respectfully dedicated to the officers and men of the United States Army in the name of American Industry…” (0:27).

A trio of Ford 4×4 Reconnaissance Cars or GPW “Jeeps” exit a Ford River Rouge Plant garage in single file. Edsel Ford, president of the Ford Motor Company delivers the initial order of 1,500 U.S. Army cars to then-Brigadier General Charles H. Bonesteel III, speaking into a WXYZ radio microphone (0:45).
Continue reading →

 
To Top

1943 War Bonds Kids’ Jeep Club

May 12, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

This April 21, 1943, ad in the Victoria Advocate (Victoria, Texas) encourages kids to join a jeep club designed to raise money through war bond sales. It includes an illustration of a Ford GP.

1943-04-21-victoria-advocate-tx-jeep-club-bonds-kids-lores

 
To Top

Florida Senator Claude D. Pepper in BRC-40 and His Campaign Jeep

April 10, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, MB, Old Images, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2

UPDATE II: Somehow I missed this second version of the Senators with Charles Payne driving down he steps on May 20, 1941:

1941-05-20-bantam-brc-40-capitol-steps-lores

PHOTO CREDIT: Florida State University’s Digital Repository https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu%3A154424

====================

Published March 28, 2021: Here’s another, earlier jeep photo, including a dedication by Charles Payne, related to Senator Claude Pepper in a Bantam BRC-40. According to the Florida State University Digital Archives, Senator Robert Reynolds is driving the jeep, Senator Claude Pepper is in the passenger seat, and Charles Payne and Harold Crist are seated in the back. The photo is dated May 1941.

https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu%3A117598

1941-05-florida-state-un-dig-arc-claude-pepper-lores

Also, according to a June 02, 1968, column by Larry King in the Miami Herald, there was a video taken of Senator Pepper riding up the steps and it was to be shown on TV on June 30, 1968. I was unable to find the video on the internet.

===================

ORIGINALLY POSTED DECEMBER 09, 2012: This pictures tells the tale of Senator Claude Pepper‘s bid for re-election as a Senator from Florida in the 1950 race.  Like his jeep, Senator Pepper’s campaign crashed that year as well.

PHOTO CREDIT: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/36090 CAPTION: Addressed to George Smathers from his friend Carl L. Hahn, an accompanying note says, “Here’s what is left of the Pepper machine in Palm Beach County – Souvenir of your successful 1950 campaign.”

The accident led to a lawsuit against the driver and Senator Claude Pepper. The appeared in the August 04, 1950, issue of the Palm Beach Post:

1950-08-04-palm-beach-Post-claude-pepper-accident