UPDATE: Thanks to Mark for sharing images of his yellow Approved Willys Service sign. That makes three known yellow signs.
As Barney notes in the comments, “Mark said he believed the signs were made using old, solid patio table tops, thus explaining the center hole filled with a bolt. Now we know of 3 and also a more plausible explanation than mine above. It is a cool sign for the price and well built.
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UPDATE: Originally published May 20, 2024: Barney Goodwin from Barney’s Jeep Parts just purchased this yellow Approved Willys Service sign, which is similar in colors, content and styling to a sign posted on eWillys back in 2020 (see bottom of post). Does anyone have any history behind these unusual service signs. Barney noted that on the back of his it references Chicago if that’s any help.
Barney added, “This sign is made of heavy gauge steel . It is not flimsy like an import. The edges are rolled and there is a weathered support plank on the back as shown. The rolled edge is painted black. There is stenciling on the back with perhaps a product number For Willys Overland by a Chicago contractor.”
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UPDATE **SOLD** Was originally posted August 26, 2020.
Roger Martin spotted this unusual Willys Service Sign at a Portland, Indiana, Tractor show today. If you are interested in the sign, we can get you the seller’s p#.
Pretty cool. Even better if someone knew the back story. Appears plywood with an aluminum edge. No sign of mounting. Nice art work. Looks like “Ed” personalized it.
I would like this sign
Hi Brandon,
I’ll email the seller’s number to you. I’m sure Roger will send it tonight or tomorrow. The show will be in Portland, Indiana, through Sunday according to Roger.
It was neat finding this sign at the Springfield Ohio Extravaganza this past weekend. Older gentleman who sold it to us said he picked it in Traverse City, MI. It would be interesting to find out more about it, especially since we now know there is more than one with the same pattern and colors with scale and possibly material differences. We did email Brandon (above) to find out more about his including anything on the back, if he managed to buy it, and are waiting to hear back.
The 2A and WILLYS appear screened while the APPROVED SERVICE is hand painted. See photos for the stenciling on the back.
My theory – for lack of any other so far – is that this is a low budget, pre-catalogue sign for “jobber” dealerships such as those attached to small gas stations in the 40s.
So, at the Willys Jeep Rally June 1, I talked to a guy about these signs and he knew of them. He showed me a photo of one he saw this year at a show. Just like these 2; more like the one with “Ed” on it, except to the right of the 2A there was a black dog bone wrench. He said the guy who had it was from Michigan.
He said he believed they were made using old, solid patio table tops, thus explaining the center hole filled with a bolt. He had a picture of the back of it and it was rust slurry finish. Now we know of 3 and also a more plausible explanation than mine above. It is a cool sign for the price and well built.
Thanks Barney. What a great bit of info to uncover!
That guy at the Willys Show June 1st would be me. Here are pics of the one I purchased.
I can forward pics.
Mark Griffith
Mark,
You have my business card, you can email the the pics and I forward them to Dave in your name or I can reply with his email to forward them direct. Would be a good contribution to this discussion.
Thanks for the note Mark. As Barney mentioned, you can email the pics to him or you can email them directly to me at d@deilers.com. Either way, they will get posted so we can compare them. And, thanks for the additional information about them!
– Dave
David Eilers
eWillys.com
Well since it appears to be a CJ2A with MB top bows I doubt it is an “approved” Willys sign, but cool anyway.
Keith, I think you’re on to something here. Had this been an “approved” sign, WO would also have made sure that WILLYS was on the windshield frame and hood.