My sister spotted this 2A inside the Venetian Hotel, Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Features Research Archives
Bantam BRC60 Postcard on eBay
Leigh’s Trip Through Australia Part IV
This is Part IV of Leigh’s trip across Australia in a 1944 Ford GPW. Read Part III here.
Once more the weather was fine as we set off for Innaminka, although this was to be the un-doing of one of the Jeeps as the temperature reached 35 deg C (95 deg F) and combined with the hard going it cracked a cylinder head, yet another MB (Toyota engined) had electrical & clutch trouble, hitting a wash away in the road a bit hard the front diff knocked the alternator & clutch slave cylinder off! Temporary repairs were carried out and they left the convoy to head for home, arriving safely several days later we heard.
Innaminka has a permanent population of about 12 residents and is nestled on the Cooper Creek 1065 km (660 ml) north-east of Adelaide and 459 km (285ml) from Lyndhurst up the Strzeleki Track. The actual “track” was originally blazed by Harry Redford, a cattle thief while droving 1000 head of stolen cattle from central Queensland to Adelaide. He was subsequently caught but due to his heroic efforts in establishing a new route was pardoned and later became one of Australias greatest drovers.
Innaminka is best known for the tragic death in 1861 of explorers Burke & Wills on the banks of the Cooper Creek. The full story can be found here.
As the next day was a lay day an impromptu fishing competition was held on Cooper Ck with several Yellowbelly Perch being taken, It was here also that our clutch began to make strange noises, due I thought to the ingress of dust into the spigot bearing – more of this later.
In the following days we visited Burke’s grave & the Dig Tree, Montkeleary Creek, home to millions of friendly flies, so bad you had to wait untill dark to cook & eat, then along the Arrabury Rd toward Cordillo Downs. First leased in 1875, by the turn of the century Cordillo Downs was running more than 85,000 sheep. During this time Afgan camel teams hauled stores to the station from Farina and returned with wool the round trip taking two months.
Today Cordillo runs only cattle with approx 7000 head of poll Hereford cattle on the 7,900 square kilometer (4908 sq. ml) property. Next we head for Birdsville via Cadelga Ruins.
Read Part V Here
1943 Photo at Richmond Ford Plant on eBay
I wonder whatever happened to Bessie Harris?
“1943 Press Photo Bessie Harris Works at Richmond Ford Plant Making Jeeps
This is an original press photo. Photo measures 7 x 9inches. Photo is dated 7-8-1943.”
Leigh’s Trip Through Australia Part III
This is Part III of Leigh’s trip across Australia in a 1944 Ford GPW. Read Part II here.
Next morning we awoke to a clear sky – finally, and set of for the small town of Blinman, the town began with the discovery of Copper in 1859 and at its peak had a population of over 1500. today this peacful settlement has a permanent population of just 22, plus residents of the surrounding pastoral properties. It “boasts” a General store, Post Office and Hotel.
After our first machine made coffee for nearly a week we moved on toward our next stop, Leigh Creek (cannot lie, it is named after me!) in brilliant sunshine, everyones spirits had clearly lifted. Stopping briefly for a break at historic Beltana, now a semi-ghost town which has important links with the Overland Telegraph, Transcontinental Railway, Australian Inland Mission and Mining.
Reaching Leigh Creek around lunch time most took the opportunity to have a store bought meal and yet another coffee, such luxury, additional supplies and fuel were purchased as this was to be the last opportunity to do so until we reached Innaminka in four days time.
Leaving Leigh Creek the road deteriorated rapidy which was a sign of things to come with truck size corrugations in some sections and a surface like broken bricks in others playing havoc with seventy year old Jeep suspensions and drivers nearly as ancient! The three Mercedes Unimogs on the other hand weren’t feeling a thing!
Camping that night at Balcanoona Station in the Gammon ranges we could witness for the first time this trip, the stars, as can only be done in Central Australia – brilliant.
As the next day was a lay day many of us decided to visit the iconic Arkaroola before heading to Montecollina Bore via Moolawatana Station where Australias version of the Great Wall of China crosses the track, the Dingo or Dog fence as it is commonly known, a six foot high 5614 km (3488 mile) long fence that was built in the 1880’s to keep the Dingo, Australias only native wild dog, out of the fertile south-east part of the continent to protect sheep flocks. It is the worlds longest fence stretching from Jimbour near the Queensland coast to end on the cliffs of the Nullabor Plain in South Australia.
Arriving at Montecollina, the only known bore to be sunk for the watering of stock on the Strezlecki Track many took the opportunity of a dip in the warm waters. Today it is a popular campsite for outback travellers however apart from water has no facilities.
Tomorrow onward to Innaminka with the weather improving all the time.
Leigh’s Trip Through Australia Part II
This is Part II of Leigh’s trip across Australia in a 1944 Ford GPW. Read Part I here.
Leaving early we travelled to Peterborough in the southern Flinders Ranges. Peterborough developed from a small country town to a major regional centre with the coming of the railways in1881 and was the largest railway depot outside Adelaide, with huge workshops, a 23 bay roundhouse and a 3 gauge turntable, sadly increasing motorisation led to the demise of the railways and after the closure of the line in the early 1990’s all that remains is the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre housed in the original workshops and depot. www.steamtown.com.au
Once again the weather was best described as “ordinary” as we travelled through the small townships of Orroroo and Wilmington to arrive at Quorn in the late afternoon where we camped in dismal conditions at the Town Oval and had our evening meal supplied by the Community Sporting Assoc.
That night was spent clinging to our mattress as un-seasonal gale force winds and driving rain hammered the campground, fortunately it cleared slightly by morning and we set off damp and weary for Alpana Station. (station in this instance is the equivalent of an American Ranch) Established in 1878, Alpana spans 60,000 acres however can only support around 3000 Merino sheep due to the arid nature of the country.
The route taken was via Kanyaka ruins and Brachina Gorge where once again it rained heavily and made conditions difficult, so much so that in the evening the road was officially closed to traffic.
Kanyaka Station was established as a cattle station in February 1852 by Hugh Proby. The Flinders Ranges is very dry country, so it is both tragic and ironic that on 30 August 1852, Proby drowned when he was swept from his horse crossing the swollen Willochra Creek while trying to herd a mob of cattle during a thunderstorm.Under subsequent owners, the station grew in size until it was one of the largest in the district with 70 families living and working there. Because of the difficulties of transport, the station had to be very self-sufficient and Kanyaka station grew to include a large homestead, cottages for workers, workshops, huts and sheds, mostly built from local stone due to limited supplies of workable local timber. Severe droughts resulted in massive losses of stock and eventually the station was abandoned. Due to its stone construction, many of the buildings survive today as ruins and are a popular tourist attraction.
Once again camp was set up in the rain at Alpana Station, tomorrow on to the small settlement of Blinman.
Ranch Tour Via Jeep in Julian, CA
I ran across this ad for a jeep tour in eastern San Diego County, California.
“Hello there! I am here to tell you theres a new adventure in eastern San Diego. It takes place on a very private ranch on the outskirts of Julian. We are offering private weekend jeep tours, to discover an unseen landscape not before explored. This is the first year it is ever being done. We will travel through select areas of julian, to wine taste, have a delicious lunch, or even to the local brewery. We will then travel through the oldest apple/pear orchard in Julian. Then the last stop to view old growth trees and views of the ocean from the mountain with which most the wildlife will be seen. There will be a daytime tour and an evening tour in your choice of Jeeps! Give us a call/email or text for more information, we look forward to hearing from you!”
Leigh’s Trip Through Australia Part I
Leigh and his wife Cheryl drove their 1944 GPW 4200 miles across Australia. Leigh documented his trip with some pics and descriptions. Below is part I. Thanks to Leigh for taking the time to put this together!
The seeds for this trip were actually sown in 1995 when a group of Military vehicle enthusiasts organised a run from Alice Springs to Darwin to commemorate th 50th anniversary of the end of WW2, they would re-enact the supply convoys that ran between these citys during this conflict.
Enthusiasts from all states of Australia and several from overseas responded and over eighty vehicles participated with the Australian Army supplying a further fourteen support vehicles. They also took charge of the convoy that was spread over several miles.
As a result of the success of this event it was decided that a similar event, but on a smaller scale be run every five years starting from a different state every year.
This year was South Australias turn with the convoy of 40 vehicles including 5 – MB/GPW’s, 1 – 1954 Jeep Truck and 1 – 1974 Mitsubishi built Jeep meeting at the National Military Vehicle Museum in Adelaide (who have an MB and a GPA.) For us in south east Victoria this was a 600 mile journey in appalling weather (heavy rain & squalls) before the official start. After two days battling a head wind my long suffering wife, Cheryl and I finally arrived at the start point in our 1944 GPW & Australian Army Jeep trailer, (slightly different to the US trailer) here we had a lay day to meet the other participants and do any minor repairs/gather last minute supplies as we were about to head into country where there are little in the way of services and generally no phone coverage.
Next morning we set off through the Adelaide Hills and the wine making region of the Barossa Valley on mostly sealed roads to get us accustomed to travelling in convoy, to end up on the Worlds end Hwy (it wasn’t really that bad) at Burra Gorge where we camped for the night.
The following day Mon. Aug. 10th we travelled on to the sleepy town of Terowie, (population 145) where the local Citizens Assoc. supplied us with a BBQ dinner and free camping on the local oval, again it was windy and freezing.
Terowie was a busy staging camp during WW2 and while transferring trains here on 20th March 1942 General Douglas MacArthur made his famous speech regarding the battle of the Philippines in which he said “I came out of Bataan and I shall return”. He subsequently repeated the line “I shall return” in a number of speeches. The event is commerated by a plaque on the now disused railway platform.
Tomorrow its on to Quorn in the picturesque Flinders Ranges. Read Part II here (scheduled for Sat morning)
Sebastian and His Son Santiago
Jeep Smoker/Grill Valentie, SD No price
Here’s another jeep-themed barbeque.
“For sale or trade. Electric smoker, propane side burner.”
New Meyer Cab & Nebraska Ruff Riders
A 1966 issue of jeep news covered the new Meyer M-III cab and highlighted the Nebraska Ruff Riders car show win.
1957 Article about the Schreiders
This article appeared in the June 9, 1957 issue of the Tuscaloosa News. The photo shows Frank and Helen Schreider , their dog Dinah, and their Ford GPA, La Tortuga. The report covers the period after their Pan American trip. Because of the journey, the Shreiders were elected to the Explorers Club. In the article they tease about going to Indonesia, which of course the eventually did.
1955 Press Photo of DJ-3A
This was on eBay.
“1955 Press Photo Willys Jeep Dispatcher Designed for Light Delivery Work
This is an original press photo. Photo measures 9.75 x 8inches. Photo is dated 12-30-1955.”
1959 Photo of CJ-5 and FC in Moscow on eBay
This is a neat photo.
“You are bidding on an original 8 x 10 press photo of Moscow Russia Wayne Hall, Thomas Kridler in Jeep at US Exhibit. The attendants were meeting visitors from Russia while seated in the first Jeep truck ever to be seen in Russia. Hall was from Cincinnati OH, Kridler of Columbus OH. Photographer Unknown. Dated 8/5/1959. The following stamps are on the back of the photo: Cleveland Press”
Altered Model y50r Ramsey Winch **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
A reader was concerned that an eBay seller was trying to sell a y50r Ramsey winch as a 50r Ramsey winch. More info in the comments.
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1. Information on a y50r: http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=98583 (2nd pic below)
2. Information on a 50r: http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album127&id=M38_manual_page_169_detail_drawing (3rd pic below)
3. Comparison photos:
1954 Photo of M-151 Test on eBay
Looks like the driver is having fun.
” 1954 Ford Motor Company Tests New Jeep For Army Ordnance Corps Press Photo. You are bidding on an original press photo of Ford Motor Company Tests New Jeep For Army Ordnance Corps. It shows the jeep flying around the Ford Motor proving grounds track. Photo measures 8 x 10 inches and is dated 9/16/1954.”
1960 Article Featuring the Maverick Wagon
It is always funning to hear the f-head described as a high performance power plant. The article was featured in the November 30, 1960, issue of Lakeland Ledger.
Movie Pics from Charles
Thanks to Charles for sharing jeep pics from some movies. I don’t have time to figure out which pics belong to which movie, since Ann and I are going to enjoy an evening together.
1948 Model 90 Empire Tractor Portland, OR **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3500.
Thanks to Blaine for spotting this good looking Model 90 for sale. What’s an Empire Tractor?
“Empire tractors were only built for a few years after WWII.
The drivetrain of these tractors was the Willys Jeep 4×4 which were available at that time.
The engine, transmission, transfer case, rearend, radiator, steering column and wheel are all Willys.
The operator platform of the tractor is surplus navy ship decking.
This tractor does not have the original Willys engine, but instead has a flat head Jeep engine with a counterbalanced crankshaft. The electrical system has also been updated to 12v instead of the original 6v system.
The engine, transmission, and transfer case were all rebuilt a few years ago. The engine runs great and idles very smoothly.
The tractor can easily do 20mph on the road and if the rear tires were balanced it would go faster.
This tractor would be great for someone wanting to do one of the antique tractor drives that various tractor clubs offer.
There are less than 500 Empire tractors in the USA, known to the Empire Tractor Club.
(oh…. also included with the tractor for the buyer would be all the Empire Tractor Club newsletters that I have)”
Cor’s Restored Ambulance Jeep
For just finished restoring this Holden Ambulance jeep. For more pic’s go to: www.yankreenactment.nl then choose “jeep”, there you find the amb jeep and the finnished project under “canvas top”. Looks great!
After:
1944 Photo of D-Day Wreckage on eBay
Powerful photo.
“1944- Wreckage of Allied jeeps and armored vehicles on D-Day beachhead. Bert Brandt photo.”
Unusual Coin on eBay
Seth spotted this odd coin.
“Medal of Tourism of Paris :
FRANCE Arromanches:
War Debarkation Museum of 6 June 1944
Jeep
Year: 2012
Grade: Uncirculated (Unc.)
Gold Plated”
Trains and Jeeps, Not Good Bedfellows!
1964 Kaiser Jeep New Vol. 10 No. 5 on eBay
This and nine other Jeep News magazines are for sale, but they are in Australia. This puts them out of my budget. However, there’s some pics just good enough to see the photos and headlines. For example, in just the two pages below there are variety of examples of DJ-3A dispatchers, FCs, and other jeeps sold. Check out the 22 DJs sold to the Canadian Navy. Good stuff!
Portola’s Railroad Days
Steve Elkins filed this report from Portola’s Railroad Days.
Portola, California, is rich with railroad history, as the town grew up around the WP Railroad yard. It’s the home of the Western Pacific RR active from 1903 until 1983 when WP merged with Union Pacific. WP was the last major railroad completed into California, eventually running from Salt Lake City, Utah to Oakland, CA. The significance of this location is that their tracks cross the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range at the lowest point, near Beckwourth Pass (5,200′). There’s less climbing for the trains, and there’s less snow to hinder the railroad in Winter; unlike the Southern Pacific RR route, crossing the mountains further South near Lake Tahoe (7,100′). Western Pacific is known as the “Feather River” Route, following the Feather River West of Portola into the Sacramento Valley, then turns toward the San Francisco Bay Area.
In celebration of the railroad town’s heritage, Portola held their annual Railroad Days last weekend. There were three days of activities, including a car show and shine, and a parade. Here are photos of the three Willys that participated, two traveling from Nevada.
Mellouise owns that nice M-38. She and her husband enjoys visiting the e-Willys website and driving the M-38 as her summer car around town for general transportation. “Mel” and two of her friends joined the parade in her well kept Jeep.
Mel is looking for a rear seat for her M-38. If you know of one, contact me at willys57@sbcglobal.net and I will pass the information on to her.
That’s one nice early 1950 Sedan Delivery, my favorite kind of Willys (I just bought another Parkway last week.) And that’s a beautiful pickup, apparently owned by the same family. I didn’t get a chance to meet them. I know that’s unlike me, but I had trains on the brain, spending most of the weekend at the RR Museum; a live museum with lots of action this weekend. I had just enough time to enjoy talking with Mel about her Jeep, then take a few snapshots and run off to the activities.