Scott drove his 1951 M-38 in Elmer, New Jersey’s, memorial parade. He was accompanied by his father – Sam Walker, son – Andy Walker and daughter – Jessie Walker. Of all places, he visits Pasco regularly, so we hope to meet in person soon.
Features Research Archives
1950s? Color Slide Showing a Midway Sweep Rake on eBay
Marc spotted this photo. The jeep appears to have a rare Midway Sweep Rake attached to it (most of the rake is buried under the hay. I’ve attached a brochure for comparison.
View all the information on eBay
A brochure from a 1947 equipment book:
1946 Photo of Coal Powered Jeep on eBay
It would be great to have some photos of this from a few different directions.
“1946 Press Photo Enrico Pizzari Runs His Jeep With Coal in Rome -This is an original press photo. Photo measures 9 x 7inches. Photo is dated 12-13-1946.”
2008 Lion’s Club Pin showing Daisy’s Jeep on eBay
Seth spotted this one. When I looked at it closely I realized that both at the top left corner ‘Daisy’ is spelled ‘Disey’ and at the bottom right ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ is spelled ‘Dukes of Harzard’.
Day 47 – Thu. May 28th: Back to the Springs
<– Day 46 – Wed. May 27th: Georgetown Loop Train | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 48 – Fri. May 29th: Pikes Peak International Raceway –>
We decided to take the scenic route back to Colorado Springs from Dilon/Frisco, Colorado. Nothing too interesting happened, but here’s a recap anyway.
I should interject at this point that the Frisco area had some great food. There were many highly rated (in Yelp) places to eat. The first evening we tried Pho soup at Pho Bay. Ann’s seafood soup had more seafood than we’d ever seen in a seafood pho. Mine was equally large and tasty.
The next day we ate at Prost, a German-oriented beer and brat pub. They don’t serve a wide variety of food, but what they do (german sausages), they do really well. Since Ann can’t do beef, we tried four different sausages: a bison, an elk, a chicken, and a wild boar sausage. All were great! Their cucumber and potato salads were also delicious. There seem to be multiple Prost locations around the West, with one opening soon in Boise, Idaho.
Back on to Thursday’s adventure. After my burrito breakfast, we headed south out of Frisco, rising to 11,542 feet at Hoosier Pass, named for some enterprising placer miners from Indiana.
As we snapped our selfie, it suddenly began to snow. So, we jumped into the jeep and headed north toward Alma, the highest incorporated city in the United States (at 10,578 ft). There we spotted this CJ-3B, which might be the highest 3B in the US.
From there we drove through some beautiful high mountain valleys.
Eventually we reached Hartsel, where we found this CJ-5.
The remainder of the trip took us around Pikes Peak until we landed in Colorado Springs. We will be here a few days and then drive to Utah (route to be determined).
<– Day 46 – Wed. May 27th: Georgetown Loop Train | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 48 – Fri. May 29th: Pikes Peak International Raceway –>
Day 46 – Wed. May 27th: Georgetown Loop Train
<– Day 45 – Tue. May 26th: South Park | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 47 – Thu. May 28th: Back to the Springs –>
Today my only objective was to ride the Georgetown Loop train and explore the Lebanon Mine in Colorado.
It wasn’t altogether clear to me at first, but after I boarded the train I learned that the Georgetown Loop train didn’t run in a loop. Instead, it runs between Silver Plume, the western terminus of the ride, and the Devil’s Gate Station, the eastern terminus. Essentially, it runs up the canyon and then back down. Technically, there is a loop, as the train does cross under its own track, but to me that distinction wasn’t clear in the name.
I boarded the train at Silver Plume and we headed south for a couple miles. At that point we disembarked for a guided tour of the Lebanon Tunnel. Our guide was a friendly young lady who was more interested in being funny than providing interesting information. But, I was after more technical information than the average visitor. Near the end of the tour, I ended up answering some participant questions and explaining that smelting lead was an important financial component of the silver-lead mining and smelting process.
After our half hour tour, we boarded the train for a trip down to the Devil’s Gate station, before heading back up the mountain to the Silver Plume Station. I was surprised we never reached Georgetown. If you’ve never ridden the train, or want to share the experience with your kids, you’ll probably enjoy this ride and the mine tour. However, I would have preferred to skip the train and get a more thorough mine experience.
On thursday we have nothing planned, except to drive to Colorado Springs, where we will stay a few days.
<– Day 45 – Tue. May 26th: South Park | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 47 – Thu. May 28th: Back to the Springs –>
Jeep Parts in Toledo, Ohio
You might remember the auction that took place on May 18th. Jay Margolies, the owner of the parts and operator of Willys Overland, reported to me yesterday that not much sold at auction. Jay would really like to sell these parts, preferably in large lots. If he can’t find a buyer, he may be forced to send them to salvage (which is not his preference). So, if are interested in obtaining parts, contact Jay Margolies at 419-531-0707.
List of parts.
Day 44 – Mon. May 25th: Pioneer Village
<– Day 41-43 – May 22nd-24th: Omaha-Bound | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 45 – Tue. May 26th: South Park –>
After spending the weekend celebrating Ann’s son’s high school graduation, we left Omaha on Monday bound for Colorado. However, we decided to make one stop on the way at a place called Pioneer Village in Minden, Nebraska.
If you have ever driven through the middle of Nebraska on I-80 you’ve probably seen worn signs in dire need of paint advertising the Pioneer Village. The signage is unimpressive and left us with the impression that they might be relics of a place that no longer exists. However, after seeing a couple signs, we looked up the place and discovered that, indeed, it still exists. Even better, the reviews were generally positive.
We arrived to find a dated brick building. In the front windows paper letters ‘welcomed’ us. There weren’t many vehicles parked nearby, so we parked right in front of the entrance door. There wasn’t much to give us confidence. However, once we paid the entry fee and walked into the first large space, we could tell it would be a cool experience. There were cars and planes everywhere.
When we exited the first building, we walked into a large outdoor area with buildings set up around a circle. The represented the ‘old village’ part of Pioneer Village.
My Life with a Jeep
UPDATE: This article about a Coast Guard jeep driver appeared in the same July 15th, 1945, Milwaukee Journal issue as the CJ-2A article below. It features William R. Scott, a Coast Guardsman. The article was also published in the Spokesman Review.
Day 45 – Tue. May 26th: South Park
<– Day 44 – Mon. May 25th: Pioneer Village | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 46 – Wed. May 27th: Georgetown Loop Train –>
On Tuesday, we headed into the Rocky Mountains. We were barely in the jeep a few minutes before spotting a M-677 and an FC cab being towed westward from Denver on I-70. I guess it means that this M-677 is sold! During the subsequent hour of driving toward Fairplay, Colorado, we saw a CJ-5, a truck, a CJ-3B, a CJ-2A, and others. It was a good day for jeep-sight seeing!
Our first destination today was South Park City in Fairplay, Colorado. It’s a recreated 1880s mining town with more than 30 antique buildings. We pretty much had the run of the place to ourselves, with a cat as a guide through much of it. He seemed to enjoy the company. If you like old towns, then you will enjoy this one, too.
1945 Article Welcoming the CJ-2A
This July 15, 1945, article in the Milwaukee Journal is another example of the 1945 promotional campaign by Willys Overland. A second article also addresses the question of what to do with all the surplus equipment.
Happy Memorial Day
Here’s a story about an M-38A1 owned by Korean veteran Jack Gregory from Skaneateles, New York.
SENNETT | When the Skaneateles American Legion Post 239 Memorial Day parade makes its way down Jordan Street and then along West Genesee Street toward Lake View Cemetery, Jack Gregory’s military vehicles will once again be a part of the procession saluting America’s fallen heroes.
Gregory, a Skaneateles native and Korean War veteran, has featured his collection of Army trucks and other equipment in the annual Memorial Day and Labor Day parades every year since 1991 — the year after, his wife Angie Gregory said, he started restoring the vehicles.
GPA Rescues Flood Victims in 1943
A May 31, 1943, article in The Dispatch, a Lexington, North Carolina, newspaper highlights the use of a Ford GPA amphibious jeep in the rescuing of civilians.
This earlier photo from April 05, 1943, in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette is horribly blurred. However, it supposedly shows a GPA rescuing three boys. Perhaps a better example of this is on microfilm somewhere?
No photo accompanies this May 23, 1943, report from the Milwaukee Journal of GPAs helping in floods.
Jeep Trucks in Africa for TV Series
This September 1955 Willys News article discussed the use of jeeps in Africa for the upcoming Tarzan TV series.
Day 41-43 – May 22nd-24th: Omaha-Bound
<– Day 37-40 – May 18th-21st: Research | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 44 – Mon. May 25th: Pioneer Village –>
Abnormally cold drizzle. That defines the last few days in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It generally hits the 70s this time of year; instead temperatures didn’t get much higher than 45 degrees. Needless to say, about the only ‘sight-seeing’ I did this week was my trip to pickup Ann from the Denver airport. She was happy to see me and return to our home (the jeep). So, other than that, I didn’t have much to report this week.
On Friday May 22nd, we broke free of the cold weather and drove through a series of rain storms toward Omaha, Nebraska. We saw a couple jeeps along the way, but the rain made photos impractical.
We are heading to Omaha Ann’s son is graduating from high school in Omaha. We’ll be here about three days and then work our way back to Colorado. Hopefully, the weather will warm up and dry up as there are several things I want to complete upon our return that ought to be fun to share.
<– Day 37-40 – May 18th-21st: Research | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 44 – Mon. May 25th: Pioneer Village –>
Cleveland’s Animal Protective League Used Jeeps
This September 1955 article from Willys News highlights the use of jeeps by Cleveland’s Animal Protective League.
2 Matchbooks on eBay
Here are two Matchbooks available on eBay.
1. Havoline Motor Oil Matchbook w/ Jeep: View all the information on eBay
2. Camp Sutton w/ Jeep Matchbook Cover: View all the information on eBay
1940s Hallmark Card with Jeep on eBay
What’s funniest about this item is that the seller wants $146 for it, but still plans to charge $1 for shipping.
“Vintage 1942 Hallmark Greeting Card. Oh so Patriotic!!! Little Boy and Girl in Jeep with fabric American flag. Card measures approx 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches. It is in Great Shape- Still attached to card stock from scrapbook.”
1942 GPW Granite Bay, CA $16,950
Looks in good shape.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5036469031.html
“For sale is my 1942 GPW, serial #16501, DOD 4/8/42
Jeep is about 95% restored, 100% cosmetic restoration with a few mechanical issues to resolve. Ready for whatever final markings you decide.
I bought this jeep from a friend’s dad that purchased it from the Gov’t post war, so I guess I’m the 3rd owner, I’ve owned it since 1993. In the early 2000’s I started a restoration. In 2004 I had the transmission and transfer case rebuilt , (At that time I purchased an overdrive with PTO that I did not install that is also for sale). In 2005 (after my 4th kid was born), I took the jeep to two jeep buffs for restoration. They both live near me in Northern Ca.
2015 Midwest Willys Reunion Photos
Bob Christy posted these on Facebook. There’s some more over there for folks that haven’t seen them. Thanks for sharing Bob.
Jeepster Dealer Training Guide on eBay
This is cool. It seems to be 8 pages (including the covers).
“Features the public want- ABOUND in the Jeepster. This is a vintage 1948-51 dealership sales training guide for the Willys Convertible Jeepster. L Head 4 cyl engine see the photos of sample pages. Good to very good condition showing minimal wear and flaws with no damage including a good binding and clear unwritten pages. Great item for your old Jeep repairs or enthusiasts one Jeep lover to another.”
Hamilton Surrey Pedal Jeep
UPDATE: This was on eBay. Looks like the ad was pulled.
This looks in reasonably good shape.
“This is a vintage 1950s pink jeep pedal car reminiscent of the Elvis jeep in Blue Hawaii. My guess is that this piece is rare. It is 41 inches long and 29 inches tall. There is some minor surface rust in a few places and some minor wear to the paint. The top needs to be cleaned and there are a couple either splits or little holes at the corners but not bad at all. It’s really an amazing piece. I would rather not ship but you can make arrangements to ship it or pick it up, whatever you prefer.”
1966 Anchors Gray Line Tours Postcard on eBay
This surrey seems to have brought the photographer to his knees. Or, maybe it was the woman sitting on the hood (Get off that hood woman!).
1944 Photo of French Women and Soldiers on eBay
Just an hour left on this one. This looks more like a movie set than real life.
“1944- While French housewives scrub their laundry in a stream, U.S. soldiers give their jeep a much-needed bath.”
More Pics From Charles