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Epic Willys Crew Making Progress ….

• CATEGORIES: Event, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: The Crew made it to Ontario, Oregon last night. They should have some beautiful weather for the remainder of their trip. Unfortunately, the group will not have the time to swing north to our place. Having done our fair share of trips, we totally understand and wish them luck!

On another note, I finally officiated the wedding this past Saturday. It went off with only one hitch … that would be me hitching them together 🙂 … this is why I never went into comedy … so, becoming a minister and marrying someone can now be checked off my bucket list!

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Originally Post August 18th –The Epic Willys Crew (view on Facebook) has made considerable progress, reaching deep into Wyoming (last I saw). Despite several unscheduled stops (err .. breakdowns), the group has soldiered forward through temps reaching 100 degrees.

We expect they will arrive here in Prosser sometime midweek next week, so we’ve been making sure the place is ready. The small house has new floors and (hopefully, new interior paint). I’ve made progress on the shop and (again hopefully) I will have it somewhat organized by their arrival. With no heat domes forecast for next week, the weather should be warm and dry. Apart from preparations, Ann’s surgery recovery, her mother’s doc appointments, presiding over a wedding (this weekend) and unexpected dog issues have kept me from providing any eWillys updates.

Here are some pics from the Epic crew so far (in a fairly random order) …

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British Airborne Jeeps: Modifications & Markings, 1942-1945

• CATEGORIES: Books, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Rob reports (see comments at bottom) that the latest edition of this book is available here: https://robvanmeel.nl/product/british-airborne-jeeps-2018-edition-isbn-90-76221-01-4/

I recently obtained from eBay a copy of the first version (which is my designation, to separate it from an expanded 2019 version of the same name) of Monica Baan and Rob Van Meel’s British Airborne Jeeps (3rd Printing, printed in 1998). It’s loaded with detail drawing and diagrams of the modifications made for the airborne jeeps. This first version is just under 50 pages. I’ll post a few example pages at the bottom of the post:

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After I received the book, I did some more research and learned that in 2019 Rob updated the book with photographs and much more. Now the book is three-times as large, with 154 pages. The new version is available for purchase for £29.99: https://www.paulmeekins.co.uk/products/author/Van%20Meel,%20Rob.

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Either book would be useful for the person who wants to recreate a British Airborne Jeep. Here is a sneak peak at some pages from the booklet I have:

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1953? Topeka Hi-Way Mower Missoula, MT $3500

• CATEGORIES: Features, Other 4x4s • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Steve spotted this Topeka Hi-Way Mower. It runs and plows.

https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/504250164003346

“Topeka Hi-Way mower with plow. Willy’s jeep frame. Continental motor.. Professionally rebuilt radiator, reupholstered seat, previous owner rebuilt the motor. Starts right up and runs smooth.”

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French Inventor Claims He Invented The Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Sam shared this interesting historical article from Hemmings. As Daniel Stroll notes, it seems odd that the inventor, Albert-Paul Bucciali, chose to sue Willys-Overland rather than Spicer. Moreover, my argument would be that it was the transferase, and not the front pinion, that was the unique key to what became the jeep, so his lawsuit was misguided no matter who he sued.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2021/08/02/against-all-odds-french-inventor-albert-paul-bucciali-spend-decades-claiming-he-invented-the-willys-mb-jeep

One of the vehicles Albert-Paul constructed: The Buccali TAV8-32 …

 
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1941 Ad Published in Time Magazine – 3 Prototypes

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

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

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2021 Heritage New Jersey Jeep Invasion September 18th

• CATEGORIES: Event, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Kyle let me know about Heritage New Jersey’s first Jeep invasion for pre-1986 jeeps. Learn more at the event’s website: https://www.njjpinvasion.com/heritagenjjpinvasion

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1960 Willys Motors Mailer Brochures

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This photo shows the full set of 18 Willys Motors Mailer Tri-Fold Brochures for the year 1960. I have most, but not all of them. I did not expect that these would sell for $160 on eBay late last week!

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Garton Pedal Jeep Portland, OR $475

• CATEGORIES: Features, toys This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Blaine shared this refurbed pedal jeep.

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/atq/d/portland-1950s-garton-pedal-jeep/7353933822.html

“Up for sale is a wonderful old vintage 1950’s era Garton Pedal Jeep. This was restored about 2 years ago and is in very nice shape. This is the Army version. Garton also made an Air Force version. Pedal Jeep is in great working order. It measures approx. 40 in. long x 16 1/2 in. wide x 15 in. tall. (not including the windshield frame). Overall, just a super cool and very rare Pedal Jeep”

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Garton Pedal Jeep North Branch, MN $340

• CATEGORIES: Features, toys This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

It needs some work.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/atq/d/north-branch-pedal-usa-army-jeep-rare/7337853531.html

“1950’s USA Army Jeep good condition rare”

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Unusual Clutched Hub; Possible Prototype?

• CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Brian posted these pics of a hub he has to FB’s Flatfendering Aficionado Monthly group. It’s not something I recognize. The work looks good enough to have been a prototype hub that never made production. It may have been an auto-engaging hub? Some commenters suggested a type of limited slip hub, where when a wheel begins to slip it auto-engages.

Brian wrote, “Has anyone ever seen these locking hub contraptions? Were these produced or is it a one-off? It appears to use 3 clutch plates and the ring in the center moves down over the roller cams to apply pressure to the plates. The covers look to be welding bottle caps that have 2 access holes to pry the collar from the outside.”

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