Features Research Archives
GPW Holden Rebuild in the Netherlands
Marc found this Holden rebuild story:
http://yankreenactment.nl/jeep/the-holden-jeep/original-details/
Lots and lots of photos.
Jeepers Country Bar and Grille in Spanaway, WA
Jeepers Bar and Grille just opened in Spanaway, Washington (map). For me it is conveniently right on the way to my sister’s house in Roy. So, we’ll be stopping by at some point. Not only does it feature a CJ-3B on the menu and logo, but there are several large vintage jeep photos around the place. My cousin Eric dropped by on Thursday and told me they enjoyed the place.
You can find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jeeperscountrybar
Photo from Clark Field
Biloxi Blues Play in Scottsdale, AZ
Our own Joe Snodgrass’ GPW was used as the model for this Biloxi Blues poster. He and his GPW will also be featured at a car show to promote the play.
You can learn more about the play here: http://desertstages.org/show/biloxi-blues-39
Matt Goode’s Electric CJ-5
Dave spotted this article about a 19 Year Old Iowan name Matt Goode who repowered a CJ-5 with electricity for a FFA (Future Farmers of America) project. I have to say that’s a nice choice of rims (not that I’m particle or anything).
Read the entire article here. http://www.iowafarmertoday.com/news/crop/electric-conversion-brings-life-to-old-jeep/article_b2e56a84-e684-11e3-8882-0019bb2963f4.html
Photos from Charles
Biscuit Progress – Bump and Steer
For the last few days I’ve been in Seattle taking advantage of the nice weather to get some work done on Biscuit. Fortunately there weren’t too many ‘sonny-do’ projects, so I had a chance to get right to work.
First, I tackled the custom bracket I made for the transfer case. You might remember that I installed Dana 18 gears into a Dana 20 (a good way to improve the gearing) and turned the single Dana shifter into a dual shifter. When I built the bracket, I designed it to fit alongside the TH 350. I didn’t know it wouldn’t fit right against a T-18.
Since the shifter bracket is more functional then beautiful, I reused most of the parts. I simply cut off the old tongs, welded them onto a plate, and welded the plate back onto the bracket.
Next, since the transfer case sits slightly lower than it did before, I created a new side bracket. I made a template out of aluminum. To build the bracket I took a piece of an angle I had around the garage, cut it, and bent it into the shape of the template. Again, it’s nothing pretty, but gets the job done.
As I explained in a post a couple weeks ago, while I was puling apart my jeep I discovered that the powersteering was rotating slightly as I spun the steering wheel. That’s a problem! So, I dedicated the last few days to fixing that problem and changing the way the front bumper connects.
The basic problem was that the stock power steering mount unit only used three of the four holes to attach the steering unit. Therefore, I planned to add a cross piece to provide a place for a fourth bolt to attach. However, that meant I had to cut the plate on top so the bolt could be attached and removed. And, since I was doing that, I figured I would change the way the bumper attached.
Next off came the bumper:
With those projects out of the way I turned my attention to the engine I bought from Daryl last summer. I discovered the motor has stock bores. The pistons appeared cleaned, but never run. The engine looks like it was rebuilt, but never run. The spark plug ends are clean and shiny.
Given the engine looks unused, I’m not going to attempt to rebuild it. Instead, I’m going to run it as it is and focus resources on properly rebuilding my other motor (with its new heads and updated cam) later this year. In the meantime, I can run with this motor and focus on getting the other parts I need to get Biscuit running. Since they are both Buick V6s switching out motors at some future date won’t take very long.
Lastly, I thought you might enjoy seeing the welder I’ve been using. Dad tells me he got this Montgomery Ward classic as a hand-me-down from a local jeep builder (Al Carrol) in the late 1960s. It’s still works real well.
I hope to return later this month to complete some more work. I will be updating the front brakes to discs. Thanks to R&P for the brake kit! I’m also hoping to have all the parts to install the drive train. Here are a few more parts I’ll be adding to the mix:
- Holley 390 carb (i have a kenne belle intake)
- Clutch kit & pilot bushing
- Brake Calipers for the new disc brakes
- Brake power CJ-7 unit with proportioner
- Bushings for my new rear emu springs (thanks to Mitch at ARB for helping out with those)
- Possibly a different set of headers (am waiting to see what I can find online)
So, stay tuned!
A Couple Illustrations by Roberto Flores
Roberto Flores has been busy.
He writes, “This #WillysJeep #cartoon could be (and is) devoted to #jeepers as Andy Bint, David Eilers, Ron Fitzpatrick, Joe Jennings, Mike Hardesty, Nate Bolduc, Natxo Alberdi Ruiz, Rommel T. Juan, Harriet Langridge, etc. for mention a few of them! Keep´em rolling!!! (Facebook Link)
He adds, “If you´re going to attend the 70th ceremonies of #DDay, perhaps you´ll have the chance of found this design during the Ford GPA jeep meeting at Carentan:” (Facebook Link)
Stolen CJ-2A from Taos
Someone stole this CJ-2A. If you see the jeep for sale, either email me directly or contact the poster of this theft @ 5757700180. Listed as a 1942, it’s obviously a CJ-2A.
“Some lowlife took this motorless 42 Willys from Taos, Nm, sometime between Monday 5/26 and Saturday 5/31… there is a reward for information leading to its return.
Update: a witness saw a +/- 2000 1 ton red Dodge flatbed with my Willys on a fifth wheel trailer heading north out of Taos on Saturday 5/31… any and all information would be appreciated.”
2014 Great Willys Picnic June 8th
DON’T FORGET: Drop by the 2014 Great Willys Picnic on Sunday June 8th from 9am to 4pm. It’s held in Kempton, Pennsylvania. Go here for more info: http://www.cj3a.info/picnic/
The King Family Jeep Tour
Jason and his family enjoyed a family jeep outing last weekend.
He writes, “Last Saturday was our 4th annual family jeep rally through Parke County, Indiana (covered bridge capital). Attached are some photos for your use. The trip was a 30 mile round trip that took us through Bridgeton, IN. The Bridgeton Mill just happened to be making flour the same day. We anticipate twice as many jeeps next year to join in the trip. Each year we pick a different route that includes another bridge. We passed three on our trip this year.”
Rear PTO French Lake, MN $250
Looks in good shape.
“Here is a rear pto unit. great condition, not water damage, original bolts all around. Also have the pto transfer case adapter for this at 75.00 can’t find the drive shaft, will post if found”
Photo of Tampa Bay Tour Jeep **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Craig spotted this Tampa Bay CJ-6 Tour Jeep photo on eBay.
“1969 Jeep Tour Guide Ybor City Tampa FL Street Scene 1 Color Slide(s) 35mm”
Knardly Rolls gets Busted — Sort of
Most of you are familiar with Paul’s stainless M-38 project that’s going on its 26th (?) year (He’s almost done). However, according to the City of Miami, the project is roaming the streets of Florida. I’ll let Paul explain.
For many years my friends have been asking me when the stainless Willys would be back on the road. Thru the years I tried to offer an accurate estimate of when I thought (or hoped) the Willys would be back together but as each deadline passed I realized my completion plans were wildly optimistic. Until today.
I just received official notice from the United States Post Office that not only is my Willys runnable, but during the first week of May 2014 my Jeep was cruising southbound on Biscayne Boulevard in Florida!
How cool is that? I feel like a putz, I had no idea I was finished with my long term rebuild but I can live with that. What really bothers me is my Willys went cruising without me, geeze after all I’ve done for my Jeep I’m quickly cast aside like a used kleenex when it’s time to play. Unfortunately my Willys had a bit too much fun and ended up running a red light. I know things happen and all that but now the city of North Miami wants me to send them $158.00 just because my little Willys turned renegade. There’s even an official photo recording this illegal event. Zowie!
I’m sure this ticket is real, it’s from: City of North Miami
Intersection Safety Program
PO Box 22091
Tempe, AZ 85285-2091
If that’s not enough to convince you I’m supposed to pay the fine to: City of North Miami
Payment Processing Center
PO Box 742527
Cincinnati, OH 45274-2527
And best of all the official driving infraction photo doesn’t show a Willys, the vehicle isn’t green (the old body color was OD but the local DMV called it green) and the license photo shows a different license plate design that what’s on my Willys so what’s an owner to do? I feel so cheap and used. I gave this Willys the best years of my life, I ate the cheap cuts of macaroni so I could purchase the parts necessary for rebuilding my Jeep, I stayed late in the garage ignoring friends just so I could have quality time with my Willys and this is what I get? My innocent Willys has turned Renegade and left me for a good time in sunny Florida so here I sit staring out the window watching fresh snow being deposited on the mountains!
My heart is broken, I’ll never be able to trust my Willys again. Yes I heard the often repeated stories about how your Willys will turn on you, how the good times will roll until someone better comes along but I didn’t believe this. I told my friends my Willys was different, my Willys is loyal and my Willys would never get into trouble. I’m so ashamed my Willys is like all the rest, just out for a good time and forget about everything else.
A word of warning to all who read these words…
Your Willys will get you into trouble!
Thank you
A very sad Paul Bierman
Belgium Jeep History
Charles shared this site from the Belgium Jeep Club. It’s a summary of jeep history in Belgium.
http://www.jeepclub.be/content/default.asp?a=HERITAGE&sa=BELGIUM
Large Jeep Picture Rio Linda, CA $175
Here’s an unusual jeep item.
“HUGE jeep picture 190 x 45
Logo is 56W x 23L”
No Updates for Sunday
I was busy all day on the jeep. Progress was steady and the unusual lack of swearing suggests it was a successful day! I will have pics and a report in the next couple of days.
On another note, I’ve been experimenting with no-kneed, no commercial yeast breads over the past few weeks. Right now I’m using a strain of sourdough from the San Francisco area. Besides the sourdough, there’s only salt, water and flour. I bake at 455 degrees in a thick ceramic backing dish with a lid.
So far, the results have been great! Check out that last batch here:
I’m going to ‘grow’ a few more starters and try some more complex combinations of flour. I will also be trying a dutch oven in our regular oven to see if that produces a slightly different flavor from the ceramic baking dish. I’ve just ordered both of Chad Robertson’s books as a happy-birthday-to-me gift (bday is later this week) to help expand my repartoire: Tartine Bread & Tartine Book No 3. Stay tuned!
Korean War Era Photos in Germany
Dennis shared these photos of his ex-wife’s grandfather, Tom Provateare. He’s pretty sure these were taken while Tom was stationed in Germany.
A Couple Unusual Alaska Hardtops
Paul forwarded these two photos of hardtops. Anyone know who manufactured these tops?
The first one is the same model of hardtop Paul’s dad had on his jeep. Paul notes, “This is an old metal hardtop which was used on the WW2 Jeeps. The windows in the doors are moved up and down by straps on the inside of the doors.”
This is another version of the same top. However, the doors on this top have been modified so the vertically sliding windows were replaced by fixed pieces of clear plexiglass. Rather a boxy design even compared to a Jeep.
1953 Navy Data Plate **SOLD**
Willys MAs Ready for Shipment
This photo was published at this Willys-Overland history page. Ron Szymanski has the original.
Pics From Charles
Charles forwarded some more pics of the Belgian Army. In the first pic, the seat on the grass suggests it may have been used as a lawn chair.
Empire Tractors: The Tractor Built From Willys Parts
The Empire Tractor was made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by the Empire Tractor Corporation from 1946-1948. Leveraging the Willys drive train, Empire produced two different models: Model 88 and Model 90. You might have seen one of those tractors at a Willys show or for sale, but sightings are rare. The primary reason for their scarcity is that of the approximately 6,660 made around 5,370 were exported leaving about 1,290 available in the US and Canada.
The history behind the Empire Tractor company is complicated. It involves Willys Overland Motor’s largest shareholder, Empire Securities, and a successful international business man named Frank Cohen, who was investigated multiple times for suspicious financial dealings.
Here’s how and why only a few tractors were made . . .
EMPIRE SECURITIES:
In 1932 George Ritter, Ward Canaday, and H.J. Leonard organized Empire Securities, Inc. They launched it as a holding company to process claims against the Willys-Overland Company, which had gone into receivership. In 1935 Empire Securities offered to buy up all the Willys-Overland Company bonds that were due two years earlier in 1933 so they could reorganize the Willys-Overland Company. In October of 1936, Empire Securities successfully rebirthed the Willys-Overland Company as Willys-Overland Motors, Inc., and became the largest shareholder. Several years later the Empire Securities founders used Willys Overland stock to partly fund a business deal with a man named Frank Cohen.
1955 Photo of Prospecter with Jeep and Geiger Counter on ebay
Here’s a cool photo. I can’t say for sure where that was taken.
“1955 Press Photo A modern prospector using Geiger counter jeep & other gear”