James’ daughter took these photos of London’s 70th Anniversary of VE Day. She drives the family’s 1948 CJ-2A, so she knows a thing or two about jeeps.
Features Research Archives
Day 27 – Fri. May 8th: The King Ranch
<– Day 26 – Thu. May 7th: Rainbow Flight & Texas Border Towns | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 28 – Sat. May 9th: A Big Boat (Ship) –>
We woke up early Friday morning with plans to drive north.
But, before we left South Padre, Ann wanted to walk in the surf. So, we drove to the beach. Despite the red-flag-beware-of-the-water warning, we walked into the water. I had to deliver a reminder to my wife that she shouldn’t be playing in the surf at all, because I didn’t want to have to carry her back to the car. So, despite her inner-child, she behaved.
As we left the beach we encountered the South Padre Convention Center and these large upside down head sculptures.
Wagon in Germany with Unique Fenders
1942 Photo of Jeep and Man in Drag on eBay
Steve discovered this unusual jeep-related photo.
“942- U.S. soldier, late for rehearsal at Camp Lee where he plays “Sylvia” in Clare Boothe Luce’s “The Women”, hitches a ride on passing jeep.”
Day 26 – Thu. May 7th: Rainbow Flight & Texas Border Towns
<– Day 25 – Wed. May 6th: Beyond San Antonio’s Riverwalk | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 27 – Fri. May 8th: The King Ranch –>
Today was a long day of driving, our longest day in a month. We drove 400 miles, which isn’t that far in terms of distance. However, our need to document the trip and take photos can turn quick stops into hour-long affairs. So, we tend to need lots of time, which we had because we both woke up at 7am on Thursday wondering why we were awake (we are late risers). We quickly figured out that our early rise was in part due to the air conditioner’s inability to cool our room. So, rather than fight the air conditioner, we decided to pack and get going.
Our first stop of the morning was Lackland Air Force Base (aka new name: Joint Base San Antonio), the home to the Air Force’s Basic Military Training facility. It was there that Ann went through basic training. Apparently, she had some fond memories of her time there. Unlike other recruits, she found her experience much less stressful than growing up with her mother. Even better, she got to eat three times a day and as much as she wanted! The only downfall, besides the marching, was a set of golden arches that she’d see everyday just outside the training grounds. She yearned, but never got, a chance to eat there.
Well, today was her lucky day, but first we had to find the training ground. Having ditched Siri’s navigation, I’ve turned to Google Maps. That app took us to the main base. Of course, I didn’t know any different, but as we drove around, Ann said she didn’t recognize anything, because the Air Force ‘never let us mingle with real military people’.
It took us a while to realize that the training grounds were on the other side of the highway. So, over the highway we went. That’s when things started to look familiar to her. She pointed out the airmen dressed in their blues marching on the parade grounds. Then she pointed to some newer recruits having to go through inspections. Finally she giggled at the sight of the Rainbow Flight group, the newbies who had not been issued their military clothes, so they had to dress in their street clothes (which were a myriad of colors).
Aviation Heritage Fair Needs a Few Good Military Jeeps Sept 2015
Bob Christy forwarded this announcement. If interested in participating contact KEVIN BROSIEN: kbrosie1@kent.edu
The Kent State airport is hosting an aviation heritage day on Sept 19th and looking for WWII vehicles that want to come be a part of the day. It’s free and I assume the vehicles will be parked near the planes. They get a good crowd in for this and some great old planes.
Willys America Open House July 11, 2015
Willys America will be hosting its open house July 11, 2015. I hear it’s a great time with lots of jeeps.
Day 25 – Wed. May 6th: Beyond San Antonio’s Riverwalk
<– Day 24 – Tue. May 5th: San Antonio’s Riverwalk | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 26 – Thu. May 7th: Rainbow Flight & Texas Border Towns –>
Yesterday we spent time in downtown San Antonio. Today we explored areas outside that central area.
First, we walked a couple blocks to Market Square, a three-block area that has been home to the city’s open market roots since the 1890s. At that time, San Antonio was Texas’ largest city. The area was a multi-cultural area due to Mexican, European, and Asian immigrants. However, these days the area has primarily a Mexican flavor.
In fact, we walked to the market specifically to taste the flavors of Mi Tierra Cafe Y Panaderia. The restaurant was first opened in 1941. It now seats up to 500 people and, according to their own marketing, “Never closes”. It’s a twenty-four hour a day, every day, restaurant. There’s a party atmosphere inside with christmas lights wound around posts, colorful Mexican banners hanging from the ceiling, and reflective pinatas hanging overhead in the lobby.
I chose to go there, not just because of its history, but because they serve a roasted goat dish, something I don’t get often enough. When it arrived, I was very pleased; plenty of goat, along with a tasty cheese enchilada, made for a good meal. The rice and beans were pretty standard tex mex.
After our lunch (we had a late start on Wednesday), we wandered Market Square. We even found a couple gifts for our mothers, though said gifts shall remain unmentioned since my mother peeks in on my trip reports from time to time.
Day 24 – Tue. May 5th: San Antonio’s Riverwalk
<– Day 23 – Mon. May 4th: Keeping Austin Weird | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 25 – Wed. May 6th: Beyond San Antonio’s Riverwalk –>
We left Austin today bound for San Antonio. We tried detouring into the historic old town of Gruene, but found it more tourist trap than historic site, so we continued on to San Antonio.
We arrived in San Antonio so early that we had plenty of time to head down to the Alamo and play tourist. The last time Ann was in town was during her basic training. She didn’t remember the Alamo grounds as being so lush nor could she remember seeing so much tourist -based entertainment (wax museums, Ripleys, etc). I was expecting the Alamo to have a much more sacred feel, but it’s set up to run LOTS of people through it.
Seth Found this Interesting Wagon
Seth spotted this interesting wagon. If anyone can provide any insights into it, we’d find it helpful.
He writes, I found this very rough abandoned Wagon. What made it stand out was the independent front suspension and the barn doors. It looks stock but I have always been under the impression that the Wagoneer Panel Delivery was the first Jeep with IFS. It is obviously a basket case project but if it’s a prototype or something like that it may be worth the effort to restore.
Dan has posted the photos at the Old Willys Forum as well. He suggested it might be a factory special. He noted, Based on the gauges and rear rear wheels, it looks like a 1946-early 1950 Delivery that someone installed an aftermarket IFS (similar to the Mustang II) and cut out the back rear side windows. That said, it could be a factory special.
Cite de l’Automobile Celebrates Vehicles in Uniform
Hugo forwarded a link announcing Cite de l’Automobile’s July 25 & 26 Vehicles in Uniform event. The museum is in Paris, France. Even if you decide that’s a little far to travel for the weekend, poking around their website is pretty interesting. It looks like they have an amazing collection.
Day 23 – Mon. May 4th: Keeping Austin Weird
<– Day 22 – Sun. May 3rd: Buc’s, Boats, Bats & a Batmobile | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 24 – Tue. May 5th: San Antonio’s Riverwalk –>
Our only plans this day were to explore Austin and test out some of the best BBQ Austin had to offer. We started by heading downtown to get some photos of the Texas capitol building.
That plan didn’t quite work out. Apparently, the city was memorializing police officers who died while serving. The capitol grounds were full of officers and people and there were no open parking spaces to be found. One side street was packed with motorcycles. We decided to abandon that plan and head for another option: Museum of Weird.
Austin has built a reputation from the city’s slogan, “Keep Austin Weird“. As ‘weird’ as that slogan is, it seems it was not an organic marketing effort, but rather formed and promoted by the Austin Independent Business Alliance. Whatever its beginnings, the city seems to have embraced that mentality, proudly. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Austin ought to be very flattered by Santa Cruz and Portland‘s ‘borrowing’ of the concept.
Of the weirder things in Austin is the Museum of Weird. A tribute to the time honored freak shows of yesteryear, the owner of the museum has assembled some odd items. I couldn’t say for sure if they are real or not, but the whole thing was pretty humorous. After paying our money, we walked through a couple short halls full of memorabilia, objects, and assorted freakish things. We were alone, as we usually seem to be whenever visiting museums. This part we expected.
1942 Photo of Military Police on eBay
There seem to be a couple MB Slat Grilles included in this lineup.
“1942 MILITARY Policemen on Duty at Attention Near Jeeps Press Photo”
Day 22 – Sun. May 3rd: Buc’s, Boats, Bats & a Batmobile
<– Day 21 – Sat. May 2nd: Ingram Rocks, but Kerrville Robots | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 23 – Mon. May 4th: Keeping Austin Weird –>
We started the day driving south toward San Antonio. We did not need to follow any signs to locate the city. All we had to do was listen for the anguished moans of NBA basketball fans. Those poor fans are still sad about their team’s loss. Wow, was that a great game!
Our first stop of the day was to visit the largest Buc-ee’s (and largest convenience store) in the world. It’s located in New Braunfels. Once again, we counted the pumps. There were 120, which is 8 more than the Temple Buc-ees. The New Braunfels store is 67,000 square feet. You could fit two average sized Whole Foods stores or 11 7-11 convenience stores under Buc-ee’s roof. There are 83 bathroom stalls, 250 employees, and 1,000 parking spaces, We didn’t take any photos, because it isn’t that much bigger than the new Temple store.
Following our Buc-ee’s fix we motored northward on I-35 until we reached Texas State University’s Meadow Center, home to glass bottom boat tours at the headwaters of the San Marcos River. When Spanish explorers first found the area they thought it was the fountain of youth due to the bubbling fresh water. In some cases the water spurted out like small geysers.
In 1849, the lake was dammed. For decades the lake was known for Aquarena performances and theme park attractions. Eventually, the theme park was shuttered, but glass bottom boats still explore the crystal clear lake sharing its history and educating visitors about the unique environment. Through Groupon we got a buy-one-get-one free deal, so if you decide to go, check them out for the discount. The boat operator was full of information and we enjoyed the tour. One tip, on weekends parking is free.
After our boat ride we decided to check off another to-do item. We visited Dicks Classic Garage Car Museum. I’d decided to visit the museum, because it was one of the few car museums in Texas I could find.
Day 21 – Sat. May 2nd: Ingram Rocks, but Kerrville Robots
<– Day 20 – Fri. May 1st: Luckenbach, Texas | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 22 – Sun. May 3rd: Buc’s, Boats, Bats & a Batmobile –>
Today was a ‘day’ off. It was supposed to be an easy, fun day. Yet, we still found ourselves at a few cool places in the otherwise semi-sleepy town of Kerrville.
We arrived at Kerrville on Friday out of sheer fate. Well, fate and careful motel hunting. Our plan was to land in Austin Friday night, but the weekend rates were pretty unfriendly for an otherwise friendly state. Fredericksburg rates were much better. So, using Priceline I found myself veering over to Kerrville; someplace called the YO Ranch was serving up some rooms at $62 for Friday and Saturday. That was a bargain for a weekend rate, so I went for it. I figured since we’d never been to Kerrville that maybe there’d be something interesting there.
It turned out that this YO Hotel place was really cool! Check out the interior and exterior shots.
On Saturday morning we awoke and went hunting for a laundromat. I normally travel with a week of clothes. I can always tell when the week is up, because the rear of the jeep smells like a gym locker. I don’t know how my wife stands it. I guess it is true love after all?
Video of Working Colombian Jeeps
Glenn forwarded this video that was posted on the CJ-2A page some years ago. It’s a report from Colombia showing how jeeps are still used. Neat video.
Day 20 – Fri. May 1st: Luckenbach, Texas
<– Day 19 – Thu. Apr. 30th: Texas Justice, Pacific War, & a Comfy Bed | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 21 – Sat. May 2nd: Ingram Rocks, but Kerrville Robots –>
After a good night’s sleep at James’ B&B, we took a few photos and hit the road. Our first stop was downtown to meet up with James. We both got so busy that we hadn’t had a chance to meet in person.
James strongly recommended that on our way to Kerrville, where we planned to hold up for a couple days, that we stop by Luckenbach, Texas. Of course, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson made the town famous in their song. That was all Ann or I knew of the town, so we were all in for that adventure.
We made a quick stop in Fredericksburg at the Nimitz portion of the National Museum of the Pacific and learned about Nimitz’s early life. However it was too dark to get any photos inside. We settled for some photos of us operating artillery.
Luckenbach is only six miles or so south of Fredericksburg, It didn’t take us long to get there. After some confusion about where Luckenbach was, we finally figured out (with some help) that the main loop into the town was closed for a bike rally, so we had to park nearby and walk to the town.
CJ-5 Tie Clip on eBay
If I ever wore a tie, I’d get one of these. But when I left banking and fundraising I severed my relationship with ties.
“For sale is a nice gold tone tie clip with a WWII willys jeep on it.”
Pilot Denmark Toy Jeep on eBay
This is selling out of Denmark. I’m just not sure what it is.
“PILOT DENMARK – VINTAGE WILLYS JEEP – MADE IN 1950’S – HO SCALE – ULTRA RARE ITEM IN VERY GOOD ORIGINAL PAINT CONDITION – SOLD AS SEEN ON PICTURES – A VERY IMPRESSIVE ITEM SELDOM SEEN FOR SALE IN ANY CONDITION!!”
Day 19 – Thu. Apr. 30th: Texas Justice, Pacific War, & a Comfy Bed
<– Day 18 – Wed. Apr. 29th: Power Wagons & Pecans | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 20 – Fri. May 1st: Luckenbach, Texas –>
We didn’t have much driving to do today, but we still managed to use up the time we had.
Thursday morning we met with Texas Justice, or more accurately with the Justice of the Peace in Llano County (the name is pronounced ‘lah-no’). Normally, we get hauled into court, but this time we went of our own volition to meet with Brian Alexander. Brian’s been interested in jeeps since he was a kid working at his uncle’s camp, a long stone’s throw from downtown Llano. He remembered the camp owning an early column shift CJ-2A, but then they switched over to floor-shift models.
Eventually Brian moved to Odessa, where he enjoyed a career in law enforcement, before moving back to Llano and winning election and re-elections as Justice of the Peace. Along the way Brian, always a military buff, got involved in reenactments and WWII history. For years Brian was interested in owning a jeep, but the stars didn’t align until a 1951 CJ-3A fell into his lap. It needed some work, so he’s been rebuilding it. The project is nearly done. When finished, he plans on selling it and getting what he’d really like, an MB or GPW (well, and a M-38, and a M-38a1 — why just have one, right?).
Brian seems to have a good knack for details, so I suspect that once he buys an MB or GPW, he’ll end up restoring it, because not having the correct steering wheel or some other detail will gnaw on him until he has it right (Brian, that’s my prediction 🙂 ).
We had a real nice time talking with Brian about jeeps and about his interests beyond four-wheel-drive, so we thank him for his time. Also, Ann and I need to apologize to the people of Llano County for bringing the wheels of justice to a halt at least for a couple hours Thursday morning.
How to Identify VEC CJ-2As
I wrote up an article last month on how to identify VEC CJ-2As. It’s a general starter guide for people unsure of how to tell the difference between an early 2A and a later one. Or put more accurately, they are the strategies I use.
http://sellajeep.com/articles/vec-cj2a/vec-cj2a-identify.html
Naturally, after completing and sending said essay to Mark Smith, I subsequently learned that the VEC body issue is even more complicated than I understood it to be. The reason has to do with Willys-Overland’s knack for randomly (probably random anyway) installing some early jeeps with tool-indent bodies, while using non-tool-indent bodies on other jeeps. The assemblers probably just used what bodies they had on hand. That’s why it is also important to track the body’s ACM number. Sean explains to we-who-thought-we-knew-what-we-were-talking-about the issue here: http://www.ewillys.com/2015/04/21/1946-cj-2a-springfield-mo-2950/#comments.
Day 18 – Wed. Apr. 29th: Power Wagons & Pecans
<– Day 17 –Tue. Apr. 28th: Dr. Peppers & Texas Rangers | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 19 – Thu. Apr. 30th: Texas Justice, Pacific War, & a Comfy Bed –>
Great day yesterday that started with a question mark … Would Paul Cook respond to my request to see his Power Wagons before we passed Kempner on our way to San Saba. I had contacted him at the last minute, so I wasn’t assured he was available. Since we had nothing else planned, we just went with the flow and hoped Texas would surprise us with something.
Around 11am we were driving south toward Temple, Texas, when I saw a sign for Buc-ee’s. Then I looked across the freeway and saw a giant beaver head with lots of triangle flags, which I believe is the international symbol for ‘Hey, we’ve just opened so come over and take a look!’. I asked Ann if she knew what a Buc-ee’s was. She didn’t. I didn’t either, but told her we were going to find out! So, we took the exit and drove across the freeway for our first ever Buc-ee’s experience.
Our jaws dropped as we pulled into the massive parking lot. This was supposed to be a gas station/convenience store, but it was enormous. It was so big it seemed like it took an hour just to circle all 112 fuel pumps (yes, we counted them). As many of you know, Ann and I have been through many states in the last few years, but this Texas-sized gas stop was the biggest one, by far, that we’d ever seen. We were even more surprised to learn this was the 35th store.
Fearless Fred and his Wagon
According to one website, ‘Fearless Fred’ patrolled the rough and tumble world of Shirley, Long Island, New York, in wagon during the 1950s. I only have the one photo of him and his patrol jeep.
Day 17 – Tue. Apr. 28th: Dr. Peppers & Texas Rangers
<– Day 16 – Mon. Apr. 27th: Frontier Texas | TRIP OVERVIEW | Day 18 – Wed. Apr. 29th: Power Wagons & Pecans –>
We had big plans for Tuesday morning. Our first stop was going to be the outdoor historic village of Buffalo Gap. So, when I hopped out of bed at 7:30am and saw that it was raining, we quickly changed that plan. Without feeling rushed, we somehow didn’t get out of the room until 10:30am.
The rain was gently falling as we got onto eastbound Interstate 20. Soon we turned southeast on Highway 6. If there’s one thing I like about these Texas state highways it is the speed limit: 75mph. That’s faster than any of the speeds on Oregon’s Interstates. You can get places in Texas, however the places are so spread apart, that even at 75mph it doesn’t seem fast enough.
Eventually we reached Dublin, Texas. I spotted a cool Dr. Pepper sign and asked Ann if she’d like a photo of it. She agreed, so I did a loop around the block, We weren’t halfway around when we ran into several more Dr. Pepper signs. Then we spotted a Dr. Pepper museum reference. That’s when the light clicked for both us. We both remembered reading that besides the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco, there was a second one in a small Texas town. This was it.
Feeling lucky, we jumped out of the jeep to see what this was all about. We learned that Dublin was home to the first Dr. Pepper bottling plant. The Dublin plant used cane sugar in all their soda pop products, including Dr. Pepper, even when the rest of Dr. Pepper world switched to high fructose corn syrup. This fact angered the Dr. Pepper company, so the company revoked Dublin’s right to bottle and sell it. Now, the Dublin Bottling Works bottles and sells a variety of custom flavors and sells them all over the country.
Jeep Clubs of America Pin on eBay
Seth spotted this odd eBay auction. I can’t imagine a context that would have produced such a pin. Is it truly vintage? Jeep Clubs and Victory? Or is that V for 5?
“Rare WWII Jeep Clubs of America Victory Pin Whitehead & Hoag Red White & Blue”