Features Research Archives

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1945 Promotional Photo with CJ-2 X-32 **SOLD**

May 13, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: Here’s a third press photo of this family camping and picnicking. Below it is an advertisement based on the photo. This was part of the press release photo packet.

“1945 Press Photo Jeep Contributing to the family’s pleasure. This is an original press photo. The postwar Jeep especially adapted for peacetime work, combines the four basic functions of tractor, light truck, mobile power unit and passenger conveyance. Photo shows the new Jeep. just unveiled to public by Willys-Overland.”

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Bill pointed out that this photo was later illustrated and used in a magazine ad:

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Continue reading →

 
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Creative Way to Sell FCs

May 12, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Old News Articles • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Mr. H. E. George found a creative way to sell FCs by taking them to livestock auctions. This article was featured in the January 1958 issue of Willys News.

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Willys Motors Makes “Ranger” for US Navy

May 11, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Old News Articles, Willys Trucks This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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A September 2, 1953, article in the Toledo Blade relayed the news that Willys Motors and Mobile Fire Apparatus, Inc., were planning to produce a Willys mobile fire jeep called the Ranger. According to Four Wheeler Magazine, the1952 truck shown below is an example of the Ranger. However, it’s a little puzzling that the truck is a 1952, when the announcement wasn’t made until late 1953? Maybe Mobile Fire Apparatus used an older chassis? Anyone have an insight on this?

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A second article shared the news that Brede Products was planning to sell a snow plow, powered by its own jeep engine. Below is one of two photos from Four Wheeler you can view the front of the rotary snow plow here. Anyone have a brochure for this?

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A third article announced an agreement between Mitsubishi and the Willys Overland Export, Inc.

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Five Star Jeep w/ Trimmings

May 10, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, videos • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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This video of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Gen. Omar N. Bradley, Gen. George S. Patton, and others, includes a five star jeep with a rear extension and other mods. There’s also some graphic and grim footage as the men explore a former camp. This video was shared on Facebook a few days ago on the G503 page.

At the 18 second mark is a photo of the fronts of several jeeps, underscoring that multiple jeeps had been modified. At the 2:28 mark is a front look at two jeeps. For the next twenty seconds the video shows the jeeps driving away.

 
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Wagon & Wagoneer Wanted for Concourse Delegance in Plymouth, MI

May 8, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Event, Features, wanted This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Bill Norris was contacted by the St Johns (formerly the Meadowbrook) Concourse Delegance in Plymouth, MI to see if he could find them a late 50s early 60s Willys wagon (preferably a Maverick) and an early 60s Wagoneer for a special SUV display they are putting on this year. I have nothing to do with the show, but some how they got my name. Anyway, the vehicles must be really well preserved originals or very accurate restorations. No customs wheels, paint etc. They want them to look as much like factory as possible.

This is a very prestigious show. Its not your local cruise in type thing. Many high end, high dollar cars from collectors all over the world participate in this event.

Anyone interested can contact Bill at billnorris5189@gmail.com? You must be willing to transport the vehicle to and from the show. It takes place the last weekend of July 29, 30 and 31. They need an answer by 5/13 so they can be included in the show’s program.

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Vintage Birthday Card w/Jeep on eBay

May 8, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Postcards This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Great old card.

View all the information on eBay

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More Pics From Charles

May 7, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Charles wrote, “these are very hard to find i became them of a private collection from an ex para commando in katanga – 1956 (rep of congo). All these photo were old and not best condition they were digitalized and renewed as they are now.”

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WWII Postcard to Recruit Women on eBay

May 7, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Postcards This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Great postcard.

“This is a very meaningful historical event of mankind history on postcard and this postcard is VERY VERY RARE.

Our Extensive collections are source through antique shop, collectibles shop, flea market and second hand market, we could not trace the originality and the previous owner status is unconfirmed but the card age consistently.”

View all the information on eBay

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Climbing Colorado’s Storm Mountain in a Jeep

May 6, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Old News Articles • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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This article was published in the January 1958 issue of Willys News.

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Can Anyone Identify These Parts?

May 6, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Tracy believes these parts were from a 1920s Willys vehicle, but isn’t sure. She’s hoping to get them to someone who could use them. She’s tried contacting the Willys Knight Registry, but so far hasn’t gotten any response.

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Jeep Christmas Card on eBay

May 6, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Postcards This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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I like the maze for the jeep on the inside. More jeep-like than a jeep.

View all the information on eBay

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Bantam BRC Copy in Vietnam?

May 5, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: John pointed out that the early GAZ was modeled after the first Bantam. This may well be a restored early GAZ.

Roberto forwarded a link to a celebration in Vietnam that included jeeps. I was checking out the CJ-3Bs and M-606s when I spotted a jeep that looked curiously like a copy of the original Bantam BRC. It’s doesn’t seem to be a perfect copy, but still looks pretty neat. I’ve blown up the pics, so they are a little blurry.

Original post: http://www.tienphong.vn/nhip-song-thu-do/chu-re-lai-xe-jeep-dua-co-dau-dao-pho-ha-noi-947495.tpo

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Original Bantam BRC from a similar angle.

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Early GAZ

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Stretched M-38A1 at Walmart

May 5, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, M-38A1 • TAGS: , , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Seth found this photo of a stretched M-38A1 with extra seats parked at a Walmart. Looks like there’s a small sign attached to the beer case that indicates this may be in Virginia near the National Museum of the Marines

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Dan’s Jeep FC Military M Series Gathering in September 17th-18th

May 4, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Event, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Dan’s hosting an FC gathering at his place in Illinois this September. Though it is branded a military FC event, all FCs are welcome. Contact Dan for more information.FC-Jeep-gathering-flyer-lg-lores

 
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2016 Fort Miles Interactive Garrison

May 4, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Event, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Joe spend last weekend at Fort Miles and shared pics of the event. Thanks for sharing the info!

He wrote, “Fort Miles, a WWII era Military Garrison is along the coast in Lewes, DE. This event provides an interactive garrison exhibit that is conducive to educating the visiting public on the function and significance of Fort Miles during the second world war. The 261st Coast Artillery along with the 1252nd Service Command Support Unit (motor pool) was on hand for the day. During the Cold War years, Fort Miles served as NAVFAC Lewes from 1963 until 1981 as a US Navy SOSUS listening facility.”

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1946 Article on Jeep as Tow Rope Ski Machine

May 4, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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The final two paragraphs in the February 1946 issue of the Montreal Gazette describes how workers in Cobourg, Ontario, used the rear wheels of a jeep to drive a tow rope for skiers.

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Riggins’ Volunteer Fire Department

May 3, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Old Images, Old News Articles • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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This January 1958 article from Willys News highlighted a group of teen boys who provided the small town of Riggins, Idaho, with fire protection using a fire jeep.

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1958-01-willys-news-firejeep-idaho-text2 Continue reading →

 
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2016 NW FC Get Together Aug 5-6-7

May 2, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Event, FC150-FC170-M677, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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This year’s FC Get Together has a new location, moving from Tacoma to Olympia.

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FC-170 Pipe Organ Delivery Service

May 2, 2016 • CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677, Features, Old Images, Old News Articles • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Hmm … wonder if he delivered any Wurlitzers in this? This article was published in the January 1958 issue of Willys News.

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Alaska WWII Jeep Hardtops & the YL-15

May 1, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Builds, Features • TAGS: , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Paul from Alaska wrote, “Recently I was at the Alaska Aviation Museum helping a friend assemble his plane when I noticed a very large photo displayed on the wall of the hanger.  As you can see this photo was taken in 1947 at Adak but what really caught my attention were the numerous flat fender Jeeps with hardtops driving on the base.  I took a close up photo of a cluster of these Jeeps even though the image is rather grainy but I thought you’d like to see it anyway.”

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Labeling these 1 – 5 starting from the left, jeeps #1 and #3 look to have the same top. #2’s top is extended in the rear. #4 has no side windows. #5 I can’t see as well.

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There’s a jeep near the top, again with a hardtop.

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The full photo is in the background above the rare Boeing YL-15, which Paul’s friend has restored. The plane was built to win a military contract. The wings, tail and flaps come off quickly so the plane can be carried by a 6 by or towed by a Jeep.

Here’s an mocked-up example of a jeep pulling the plane:

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And this shows a truck carrying it:truck-hauling-yl-15-lores

 
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Paul’s M-100 Trailer Teardown

May 1, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Builds, Features • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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On another note, Paul has begun his tear down of an M-100 trailer, something he’ll rebuild in stainless:

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Jeep Parts Needed

May 1, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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I’m sure this has cycled elsewhere, but it’s just so true …. thanks to Steve for forwarding.

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Hanksters Hot Rods’ New Showroom in Florida

April 30, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features, Museums This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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John dropped by the new showroom at Hanksters Hot Rods‘ in Daytona Beach, Florida, and took a few pics of their jeep. Admission is free and all donations go to the local YMCA.

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1943 Letter w/ Jeep Illustration at Top on eBay

April 29, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Artists/Drawings, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Here’s a letter on a jeep illustrated letterhead, one I’ve never seen.

“An original World War Two letter including the envelope written by Cliff Brandow who was in the 256th Field Artillery. This letter is dated Oct. 18, 1943. It has the logo of a jeep with soldiers and says, Camp Gordon Augusta Georgia. I currently have other letters written by this individual listed. The letter is in very good condition, with some light wear, the cover has wear.”

View all the information on eBay

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Just a Couple Updates Tonight

April 28, 2016 • CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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I got back late from Seattle late last night, so just a couple updates. Several readers asked if I got anything done on Biscuit while there, but (as Mitch can attest, because he dropped by) I took an hour to stare at the jeep, but between minor book fixes, caring for dad, and sonny-do projects, I didn’t have  much extra time.

On my way home I stopped by to visit Roy Williams and his friend, Todd Francis. Todd is the 2nd or 3rd largest manufacturer of two-piece high performance VW blocks in the world. He ships them all around the planet. It was a real treat to watch the blocks being milled, drilled, and cleaned. His racing buggy was pretty cool, too. I didn’t have my camera with me, so no pics.

You can learn more about them on Facebook or at his website (which will be receiving a makeover sometime soon).

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