UPDATE: Here’s an example of a Windsor, Canada, data plate, one of the CJ-5s that was imported from Canada to keep up with sales demand in the US.
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On August 21, 1959, the first Canadian-built jeep, a CJ-5, rolled out of the assembly plant in Windsor, Canada. Below are two articles and one advertisement that celebrates the acheivement.
This first article appeared August 22, 1959, in the Windsor Star and shows the actual first CJ-5.
This second article appeared September 19, 1959, in the National Post our to Torono, Ontario, Canada, and shows the actual Windsor Plant.
This third item is an advertisement that appeared in the August 25, 1959, issue of The Province, a Vancouver newspaper.
Back in 1969-70, Jeep sales were setting records, and as a result, American production couldn’t keep up, and as a result, Canadian Jeeps were imported to the USA. This was a big deal, it had to get the “OK” from the labor unions.
I would always stop by Mide Motors in Garfield, NJ to look at the new Jeeps, and somehow, this time they looked a bit different. Then I realized what it was, the paint, the colors were more vibrant. I spotted a metallic brown CJ5 and lifted the hood, V/6, different but the same, the EPA smog equipment was different, different upholstery patterns, what’s up I asked myself. At that point I popped the hood and looked at the VIN PLATE, MADE IN CANADA. To tell the truth, the fit & finish was better than the American CJ5’s.
Great comment, Mike. I’ve followed these years for a long time. Have forwarded to Dave a photo of a VIN plate on my friend’s 69 his family bought brand new at Woodie’s Jeep in Houston – a Canadian build.
I also thought it might have something to do with the volume of Govt. contracts Jeep had at the time including M151 Mutt, M715 5/4 ton truck and Mules. Plus 69 was the first year for the DJ5A postal Jeep. They needed capacity in Toledo for those contracts.
Barney, Yes, with those Government contracts you mentioned, Kaiser was on a R-O-L-L.
Mike, that’s interesting about the Canadian jeeps. I’ve added the data plate Barney sent me to the post.
– Dave