Features Research Archives

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BOOK: The Last American CEO

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

I just finished reading The Last American CEO, a book about the transition of ‘Jeep’ from Kaiser-Jeep, to AMC, to Chrysler. The principal character and source of most of the material was Joe Cappy, who was the final AMC CEO before AMC was bought by Chrysler.

Among the book’s more interesting revelations, it argues that if it weren’t for an assassination, that Chrysler might never have purchased AMC.

the-last-american-ceo

 
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1946 Cartoon “Impasse in the Night”

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

This cartoon was published in the November 02, 1946, issue of the Saturday Evening Post, page 112.

1946-11-02-sat-evening-post-cartoon-impasse-at-night

 
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The Steel Soldier from WGTE in Toledo, Ohio

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

You’ve likely seen this video titled Steel Soldiers. It was something I posted back in 2008. The video was produced at WGTE Public Media. While the video can be viewed via youtube, the higher quality version can be still be seen on WGTE”s website. There are prototype jeeps, jeeps during war, post war jeeps, and even a few scenes at the end of the Yakima Ridge Runners racing around their area.

https://www.pbs.org/video/toledo-stories-jeep-steel-soldier/

Or view the youtube version below:

 
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1975 CJ-5 VAM Brochure

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

Maury shared this 1975 Brochure from VAM, a company that produced jeeps, among other products, in Mexico. The photos show the short nose CJ-5, some of which had inline 6 (199 AMC) starting in 1966. One of the pics includes a Surrey DJ-5.

1975-VAM-mexico-cj5-brochure-surrey1 1975-VAM-mexico-cj5-brochure-surrey2 1975-VAM-mexico-cj5-brochure-surrey3 1975-VAM-mexico-cj5-brochure-surrey4

 
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Perfect Circle Company Hubs $180

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

Blaine found a set of NOS Perfect Circle hubs, which look to be private-labeled versions of the Selectro hub manufactured by Dualmatic. Unfamilar with Perfect Circle, I wondered why the company would private label a set of hubs.

It turns out that Perfect Circle had been a leader in the development of piston rings for several decades. In 1963, the company was purchased by the Dana Corporation. It’s possible that relationship led to the private labeling of the hubs. (Read the whole Perfect Circle history here)

These particular hubs should fit the Dana 27 axles, as that was the standard axle on early Scouts (but I’m not expert on the Scouts).
perfect-circle-dana-27-scout-hubs

We’ve seen the above hubs branded under multiple names, including Dualmatic, Selectro, Perfect Circle, Free-Lock, and others. But, where did the hubs originate?

Unfortunately, as this point I only have theories rather than actual answers. One theory is that they were developed by Free-Lock, but not patented, prior to Free-Lock’s demise. Somehow, Dualamatic/Husky ended up with the hubs (probably purchased Free-Lock’s assets) and then Dualmatic manufacturing them under the Free-Lock brand, then other brands.

My second theory is that the hub is based on this hub patent from Clark Peterson in 1955.

1955-03-07-peterson-hub-patent

It has the spring system and It appears the entire top of the hub twists. But, there are some differences. The central bolt does not exist to hold the hub in place, instead side bolds secure the top. Maybe someone who has a set of these hubs can compare it to the hub design above? Below is a schematic of a Dualmatic hub for comparison.

dualmatic-selectro-hub-schematic

 

 
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1946 Ad For the Jeep Station Wagon

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

This 2-page Car for all the People ad was featured in the Saturday Evening Post on December 21, 1946, pages 56 and 57. You’ll notice the ad has “Makers of America’s Most Useful Vehicles” phrase (the prequel phrase to “The World’s Most useful Vehicles”). it also has a Willys-Overland badge. I’m working on documenting when that bade comes and goes.

1946-12-21-sat-evening-post-car-for-all-purposes-ad-pg56-572-lores

On the cover the magazine was a Main Street Christmas scene that included, at the bottom right, a tree tied to the top of a jeep.

1946-12-21-sat-evening-post-cover-jeep 1946-12-21-sat-evening-post-cover-jeep2

 

 
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1942 Bell & Howell Filmo Camera Ad on way

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

UPDATE: Back on eBay at a relatively good price.

View all the information on eBay

“This is an ORIGINAL 1942 VINTAGE MAGAZINE PRINT ADVERTISEMENT For the BELL & HOWELL Filmo Movie Camera!”

1942-bell-howell-ad

 
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M-38A1 Floor Pans Roseville, CA **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $300.

Seems like a good price.

“Complete replacement floor pans for willys M38a1 military jeep or pre 1971 CJ-5 jeep. $300 for all (will not sell separately). Set includes everything that is pictured.
Floor pans are powder coated Olive drab green.”

floor-plans-cj5-roseville-ca

 
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US Soldiers Installing Wire Cutters

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

Video of US Soldiers in England cutting and installing wire cutters.

 
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Couple Brochures from eBay

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

I won these two brochures on eBay. I’ll share them once I receive them.

1957-08-disease-brochure1 1957-08-coffee-brochure1

 
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1944 Video of Troops Loading Jeeps on LST

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

Steve shared this video of troops loading jeeps and other vehicles onto an LST.

 
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1953 Fields and Streams Ad For the CJ-3B

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

This ad appeared in the Heppner Gazette Times (Oregon) on April 23, 1953.

1953-04-23-heppner-gazette-fields-and-streams-ad-pg2

 
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Jerry the Jeep by Edith Thacher Hurd on eBay

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

UPDATE: This is a first edition of Jerry the Jeep, but it isn’t in very good condition (and very high priced).

View all the information eBay

“RARE VINTAGE old Children’s book JERRY THE JEEP post WWII FIRST EDITION EDITH THACHER HURD

“Jerry the Jeep lived in a big Army camp. He was a new jeep and a strong little jeep but he was always doing things that he shouldn’t. He went down hills when he was supposed to go up them. He blew his horn “peep-peep” when nobody wanted it and he was always dropping nuts and bolts like a ………”

book measures about 9 1/4″ by 10 1/2″”

jerry-the-jeep-book1 jerry-the-jeep-book2 jerry-the-jeep-book3 jerry-the-jeep-book4

Continue reading

 
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Stanely W. Smale’s Magnetic Sweeper

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

UPDATE: I love it when I can combine old photos with documentation. In this case, I discovered that Stanley W. Smale had filed a patent for his metal sweeper. Stanley filed his Magnetic Sweeper patent on January 10, 1950.

From his patent: “An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of such size and mobility that it can be used to remove ferrous articles from roads, parking lots or any surface over which vehicles may travel, in an effective, speedy and economical manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mobile magnetic field of sufficient force to not only pick up loose items, but pieces embedded below the surface which might normally be forced upwardly through the surface by frost or other disturbing influences.”

1950-01-10-stanely-smale-magnetic-sweeper-patent1 1950-01-10-stanely-smale-magnetic-sweeper-patent2

One Post, The Jeep Goes International, is from 2015 and included this excerpt:

1953-08-cars-magazine-1-stanely-smale-magnetic

Original Post from June 2014: “Press Photo Stanley Smale & magnet equipped Jeep for sweeping metal”

1949-stanley-smale-magnet-sweepging

1949-stanley-smale-magnet-sweepging2

 
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A Couple Extended Jeeps

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

Roger Martin spotted both of these jeeps on Facebook.

The first one was describe by Jim Burrill as a British Jeep during Operation Veritable.

red-cross-emergency-medic-extended-jeep-operation-veritable

The second jeep was posted by Norberto Boddy and was extended in the middle (CJ-2L-like). I tried to hunt down “Crescent Poultry Products”, but didn’t have any luck. The phone number seems strange, as it include an “L” in it; anyone recognize that phone number construction?

crescent-poultry-products-extended-jeep

 
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1956? Jeep Perkins Diesel Brochure

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

This just sold on eBay for $31.00. It was listed as a 1955 brochure, but given it includes the CJ-6, it seems more likely it was 1956 or later.

1956-perkins-brochure2 1956-perkins-brochure3 1956-perkins-brochure4

 
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Hard Plastic Jeep Silhouette on eBay

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

It’s not very large, but not expensive either.

View all the information on eBay

“Army Jeep flat in Hard Plastic. 1-3/8″ or 35mm  Long.  Comic Book Premium. ”

hong-kong-plastic-jeep

 
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Willys Pull Truck Nekoosa, WI No Price

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

Something different.

https://eauclaire.craigslist.org/cto/d/nekoosa-two-wheel-drive-pull-truck-for/6862495802.html

willys-drag-truck

“I have a very nice complete two wheel drive pulling truck for sale.

If you ever wanted to get into truck pulling this is your opportunity. I am selling at very reasonable price. I can finance terms or become partner if you are able to provide nice shop to work on it and have mechanical abilities I can help with the truck give you my knowledge of it. And if you want I can help finance a plan to purchase.

This truck is custom made was in top 4 out of 12 to 14 trucks.
Its complete with engine to wheels and all weights for all three weight classes. 5800lbs 6000lbs 6200lbs.

The truck needs to be gone through and have engine upgraded and worked on to perform.
To build a truck would cost you twice what I am asking for.

Serious inquiries only. To many things to list on here will discuss with you over phone.

Trailer not included but can transport.”

 
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820 Jeep Service Fort Worth, Texas is Selling Off Inventory

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

UPDATE: Gayland relayed that Bob says he is willing to ship some items, but it does take him some time to get to the shipper. He does have some MB items also.

Originally published April 17: Gayland sent me the following. Note that Bob does not want to ship. He’s an old school guy (who even sold Desert Dogs at one point) who would rather deal in person.

Bob Brant of 820 Jeep is trying to sell off a bunch of his stock. The state is going to expand the freeway and intersection that his place is located upon and he wants to sell his land and shop and move elsewhere.

He has ALL kinds of parts laying around,  I saw a grille guard I think belongs to a M715.  I haven’t seen any MB parts, but that is no indication he doesn’t have any.  CJ2a’s, 3a’s. 5’s, bodies, frames and parts sitting around around (he is not super organized)  He has a Deuce-and a-Half  with trailer for sale, I am not sure of the M number.  I found a M416 axle in his parts pile and a CJ5 windshield frame. 

So, if anyone in the Fort Worth Dallas area is looking for parts, I would say call him or text him and find out.  He prefers dealing locally because it is a pain for him to get things shipped. Call or text him at (817) 235 7270.

As a disclaimer, I have no interest in the business other than to help a fellow Seabee and Jeeper (who is also my mechanic.)

820-jeep-service-tx

 
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Unknown “Sedan” Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Sedan-jeep This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Norberto Boddy posted this to Facebook. I don’t have any info about it.

sedan-jeep-unknown

 

 
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1963 Wagoneer Brochure on eBay

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

I don’t collect Wagoneer brochures, but if I did, this looks like a nice one.

View all the information on eBay

“1 – Pre-Owned, Vintage Kaiser Jeep Wagoneer Brochure Fold-out Poster
Pictures are of the only one of this item I have to sell at this time.
Unfolded the vintage paper item measures approx. 22.25″ x 11″
Examine all pictures.
NO tack holes or tears.
FREE Shipping to lower 48 States.
Thank you for looking, please view my many other items.”

1963-07-wagoneer-brochure1

1963-07-wagoneer-brochure2

 
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1963 Wagoneer Delivery Van Postcard on eBay

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

I’m surprised to see a Jeep Delivery Van landing on a postcard promotion. Interestingly, the card does not identify the vehicle as a Gladiator or a Wagoneer.

View all the information on eBay

“POSTCARD TYPE: Chrome divided back standard size measuring about 3 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches.
CONDITION: Excellent; postally unused
DATE: 1963 Model year I believe”

1963-gladiator-delivery-van1

1963-gladiator-delivery-van2

 
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The 1954 Power Tower Patent

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

This April 12, 1954, Power Tower patent filing by Wallace Johnson and Robert Fisher was said to be designed for other vehicles besides the jeep, but given it’s length, it’s hard to imagine it would work on anything that wasn’t flat like the top of the jeep.

Here’s a description:  The present invention relates to a power tower for use by workmen employed as painters, electrical fixture repairrnen, aircraft maintenance men, window washers, and a multitude of similar occupations wherein it is necessary toperform a task at some distance above the ground and thus ordinarily require the use of ladders or scaffolding of some type. More particularly, the invention relates to a workmans platform supported by a collapsible tower structure which in turn is mounted on a wheeled vehicle.

1954-04-12-power-tower-patent1 1954-04-12-power-tower-patent2 1954-04-12-power-tower-patent3 1954-04-12-power-tower-patent4

Continue reading

 
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January 1943 Cover of Collier’s Magazine

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

Most of you have probably seen this, but for documentation purposes, this high-flying kid in a toy jeep made the cover the January 30, 1943, issue of Collier’s Magazine. There are a couple pretty cheap issues on eBay.

1943-01-30-colliers-front-page-kid-jeep

 
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Women’s? CJ-5 Bracelet on eBay

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

Maybe your significant other would like this? I think mine deals with enough jeep stuff.

View all the information on eBay

“Great present for a wife, girlfriend or daughter. Jeep CJ Wrangler bracelet is in very nice condition has shows minimal wear.”

jeep-bracelet1

jeep-bracelet2