Features Research Archives

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1941 Video Footage of Edsel Ford and the Ford GP

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

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).
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Year? Photo of a M-38 Fire/Brush Jeep on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This m-38 fire/brush jeep has some unusual mods.

View all the information on eBay

m38-brush-jeep-photo

“You are bidding on (1) 35mm Fire Apparatus Slide of Burrilville RI Brush 1 1952 Willy’s Jeep X-US Army

Slide is in excellent condition. If image appears to be cut off it is from my scanner. Actual image is fine in slide mount.

Original photographer retains the copyright on the image.”

 
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SOLD ….

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

Our old Pasco house hit the market Wednesday afternoon. By 4:00pm yesterday there were four good offers, two of which were $20k over the asking price ($379,000). My Mother-In-Law accepted the best offer ($26k over the asking price with no inspection required) last night. It’s just another reminder that it’s a red-hot market out there for sellers!

With that step done, we are closer to regular updates returning.

My son and his gf are in town this weekend, so updates will be scarce, but things ought to return to normal next week (I know, I said that last week, lol).

 

 
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1945 “Laying Telephone Line in the Saar” Video

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

The most of this video shares some great footage of a weasel, with the footage alternating between stringing telephone lines and zipping along flooded roads. It feels like the kind of story Ernie Pyle would write about. A jeep appears briefly near the middle of the video.

“Saar,Germany.

Clapper board: “3rd Army, 26th Division. ‘Weasel’ lays wire in flooded Saar valley. Camera: Lt. Elk, Feb. 9th 1945”.

Various shots three American soldiers driving around flooded area in jeep with caterpillar wheels (“Weasel”). A roll of telegraph wire hangs off back off vehicle, GI ties end of wire to tree, vehicle drives off leaving trail of telegraph wire. Various C/Us GIs stripping ends of wire to attach to tree.”

 
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1943 Photos of Ford GPA “SEEP”s

• CATEGORIES: Features, GPA (SEEP), Old Images, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

These photos appeared in the Des Moines Register on March 17, 1943.

1943-03-17-desmoines-register-ford-gpa-seep-lores

 
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California Transportation Department “Sno Jeep”

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

UPDATE: Here’s a side view photo of the Sno-Jeep.

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Originally Posted April 10, 2021: This CJ-2A with duallies all around appears in undated photos taken in Los Angeles. Photographed by Doug White, the jeep is described as a “Sno Jeep”. Note the chains with mini-paddles on the front and the tall, extended exhaust in the back.

I’ve been unable to find any additional information about this jeep. There might be some mention of it in the Los Angeles Department of Transportation archives (if such archives exist).

 
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1943 “MacArthur – GIs Training” Video

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

This short 25 second video includes a Ford GPA driven into a stream as part of training.

“Various shots of General Douglas MacArthur watching GIs (General Infantrymen) training. The soldiers swing on ropes, drive small DUKW style jeep through river, and crossing rope bridges.”

 
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1950s? Photo of a Thrif-T-Van Bodied Van with Kaiser-Willys

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

This REPRINTED 11″x17″ photo from eBay shows a Thrif-T-Van body on an unknown chassis with Kaiser-Willys printed on the side. Anyone have insights into this?

View all the information on ebay

“1950 ‘S KAISER WILLYS PANEL VAN TRUCK 11 X 17 PHOTO”

1950s-thrif-t-van-kaiswer-willys-photo

 
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1943 War Bonds Kids’ Jeep Club

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

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

 
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1954 “Marilyn Monroe in Korea” Video

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

Marilyn Monore’s trip to Korea is featured. At one point she can be seen in an early M-38A1. The most fascinating part of the video to me was the sea of soldiers gathered to watch her.

“MS. Monroe on steps of plane waving. LS. G.I’s running. Various shots, Monroe in army uniform walking about. MS. Monroe running up steps to entertain troops. LS. Monroe on stage entertaining troops”