Features Research Archives

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Research is Such Tough Work . . .

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Last Tuesday Ann and I hit the road to do research for the next book.  Having written much of the book already, I still have many details to add.  Nothing can replace following the pathes of your characters to see, smell, and hear what they would see, smell hear (hence the reason I need to write a book with Europe as the backdrop 🙂 ).  In this case, we had the follow the characters as they ferried from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, drove up to thePort Townsend area and then ferried over to Whidbey Island and finally ferried from Whidbey to Mukilteo to drive back to Renton. While we had to take three Washington State Ferries and cross one floating bridge, the characters travel in different ways to different places, so I’m giving away little with this information.

Here are a few pictures from our trip.  In this picture, we are on the Ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.  You’ll note the new addition to the Seattle Waterfront on the right of the photo, the giant ferris wheel, which doesn’t look so giant against the buildings in the background:

Here I am at Port Gamble, enjoying the sites and sounds of the quaint little former company town (ok actually I am checking email):

Ann found a big gun at Fort Flagler.  She does enjoy her weapons.  She provided a running tutorial on what was missing:

As the suns sets at Mutiny Bay, we snap our picture at the exact location I include in the book:

 
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Pauls Frame is Finished Baking

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Paul’s been eagerly awaiting the completion of his frame’s powder coating.  I told him that it was too pretty to put under the jeep.  Instead, he ought to hand it in the house.  No response to that idea so far . . .

Paul writes, “Early this morning (to retired folks it seemed real early) I traded a fist full of cash to a local businessman and in return I received a beautiful black powdercoated Willys frame fresh from the curing oven complete with that new frame smell. Quickly hauling it home I positioned the frame inside the connex slightly ahead of the body while leaving enough room to safely install the springs and axles. I needed to somehow support the frame high enough to allow the axles to fit underneath while not damaging the new coating and still allow the frame to be easily raised and lowered. Did I mention this proposed support structure had to be cheap?

While the connex is incredibly strong the metal roof is way weaker than the weight of the snow we receive during a normal winter so years ago (to prevent the roof from collapsing) I reinforced the roof structure with full length headers bolted to the connex sides and 2X4 doublers positioned right below the original roof bows. With all this structure just waiting for me to use I attached the ends of four ratchet straps to the headers and hooked the opposite ends to the Willys frame. By adjusting the tension of the straps I was able to position the frame level and at the height necessary for clearance of the wheel and axle combination. I normally carry four ratchet straps in the truck (you never know when you’ll run across something that’s just too good to pass up so I’m ready to load it up, cinch it down and head for home at a high rate of speed before anyone changes their mind) they were quickly removed and became the Poor Folk Deluxe Adjustable Lift. This worked GREAT! Total cost…nothing!”

 
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Racing at the 2012 PNW4WDA Summer Convention in Oregon

• CATEGORIES: Event, Features, Racing, videos • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s a great video of a run at the 2012 Summer Convention held this year in Camas Valley, Oregon.  There are a few more videos posted as well.

 
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1957 Jeep Jamboree from Texas

• CATEGORIES: Features, Magazine This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I purchased this small article about a Jeep Jamboree in 1957.  The event was held on South Padre Island in the Gulf of Mexico off Texas. This two page spread has pictures and a bit of info on the action.  As soon as I get my scanner working again, I’ll larger versions of this.

 
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1955 Meyer Snow Plows and Angle Dozers

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I haven’t seen many snow plows on 1/4 ton jeeps.

View all the information on eBay

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Paul gets some early shots of Crazy Ralphie’s GPA

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features, GPA (SEEP) This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  I’m reposting this February 2010 post in honor of the SEEP that appears in my next book.  Ann and I spent Wednesday on a journey to review some of the places I will mention in the book.  I’ll report on our research tomorrow.

Apparently, Paul cornered Ralphie in his garage today and refused to leave until he got some pics for us.  Ralphie’s GPA is well on its way to being a great looking rebuild.  Thanks to Paul and Ralphie!

Paul writes, “Crazy Ralphie’s garage suffers from the usual garage problems, no matter how big your garage is it still isn’t big enough to hold all the tools and projects you want to stuff inside so the work area becomes a bit cramped.  I’ll be able to get better pictures this summer when things can be moved outside but for now these pictures will have to due.  The poor little GPA is sandwiched next to the chassis of a 1934 Ford four door sedan which is tight against a 1956 Caddy convertible undergoing restoration and every flat surface becomes a parts storage shelf until the pile becomes a pyramid towering towards the ceiling.

Crazy Ralphie is in the background of a couple of photos working on the body of the 34 Ford but he’s locating missing parts and doing some work on the GPA in the meantime.

The UPS guy just delivered my new Buick 225 V 6 radiator and I didn’t anticipate it’s arrival until the end of the month so it looks like I’ll have something to work on tomorrow what with building a mount and fabricating brace rod/hood prop combinations.  I got my taxes done and Uncle owes me money, it just doesn’t seem right to put that money into a savings account when I could buy Jeep parts instead so I was on the phone ordering and the tax return has been killed.”

 
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1955 Tops and Other Options Brochure on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I thought these top brochures were informative.  So, I’ve posted four of them.

This brochure breaks down some of the differences between Koenig Hard Tops.

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1950s Whitco Top Brochure on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This brochure is for the 1100 series.

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1957? Jiffy Cab Brochure

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: This was likely a 1957 brochure. It was for sale on eBay in 2012.

 
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Kaiser Willys Partners with Cereal Companies for Contest Prizes

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, DJ-3A, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

1) Colin shared this video clip. In the 1950s Post Cereal partnered with Kaiser Willys to giveaway a CJ-3B as demonstrated by this video.  All customer had to do was write down on a piece of paper their favorite Kellogg’s cereals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=SkDM7HHprXY

kelloggs-cj3b-contest-video-clip

2) (from an earlier post) In this 1960’s Kelloggs All Bran Contest, Kellogg’s partnered with Kaiser Willys to giveaway a CJ-5 or DJ-3A Surrey, plus an Aruba vacation.  1,500 model Surreys (Tonkas maybe?) were  given away, too. The box below was sold on eBay in August of 2012.

 
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1955 King PTOs and Winches Brochure on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

These King PTOS and Winches were produced by Koenig.

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1948 Roper Brochures for the Dozer Blade and Post Hole Digger

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

This is a pair of early brochures for the Roper Dozer Blade and Post Hole Digger.

 
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1960 Brochure for the Meyer Angledozers on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I didn’t know these Meyer plows were called Angledozers.

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Milk River’s CJ-2A Fire Jeep & T-shirts

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Artists/Drawings, CJ-2A, Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I ran across Milk River’s website, located in Alberta, Canada.  To help support the Milk River Fire Department, they have printed t-shirts with an illustration of the department’s 1947 CJ-2A Fire Jeep.  You can email them here for more information:  http://milkriver.ca/government/town-departments/emergency-services/47-willys-t-shirts-for-sale/sendto_form

Here’s a picture of their Fire Jeep:

 
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Bruce’s Trailer Makeover

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features, trailer This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Bruce wanted to share some before and after pictures of a trailer he saved.  As you can see, the before picture shows a pretty tired trailer.  However, after six weeks of work by Bruce, the trailer looks like a great match for his flattie.  Thanks for sharing Bruce.

Bruce wrote, “I purchased this trailer locally (7/2/12) for $600, more than i wanted to spend.  however, it was simple to transport so i bought it anyway.  they are hard to find.

Every nut, bolt and screw was removed, and all 20 leaves from the springs.  All of the u-bolts and one shackle were replaced.  All rust was removed.  The floor had a few rust holes on the side that i duct taped over and then rhino guarded (black spray) the interior. I picked up a 3×6 rubber floor mat from u-line that fits nicely inside.

The trailer had home made fenders that were welded on. Once i removed them, gaping holes were left.  I found new fenders at ‘tractor supply’.

Before:

After:

 
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1968 Montgomery Ward Replacement Parts Book on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Catalogs, Features, Parts This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Did you know that both Sears and Montgomery Ward companies both sold replacement parts for jeeps and scouts? See the next post for the Sears version of this catalog.

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1968 Sears Catalog of Replacement Parts on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, Parts This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here is the Sears version of a parts Catalog, though this doesn’t mention any Scout parts like the Montgomery Ward Catalog does.

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Wooden Flatfender Models, Pictures and Website on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, International, Old Images • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  This is back on eBay.  A couple new pictures were add, too.

When I first noticed this ebay ad, I was confused about it.  It took me some digging to understand that this family out of Entlebuch, Switzerland, once sold jeeps.  Then, some members turned to making toy jeeps.  Apparently, there are about 50 toys left?   They have listed the toys, the website, and photos for sale if I understand correctly.

Here’s the eBay auction

According to the seller, “Shortly after the war (1945) Family Enzmann imported 60 Jeeps to Entlebuch, where they were rebuilt and sold to the farmers as commercial vehicles. At the weekends my father together with his classmates from university, drove the vehicles from Geneva to Schüpfheim. ( Which always turned into a big party afterwards.) My grandfather organised special events on which the Jeeps were presented to all customers.

Besides the garage my grandfather also owned a cinema and a hotel and he liked to advertise his garage and Jeeps in between the films. After a while the Jeeps were also sold with a closed driver’s cabins due to the very hard winters in Entlebuch.

The images below are from the website that is part of the auction:

And a couple images of the toys:

View Rob’s Jeep website here

 

 
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Work’N Woody FC-150 Sprint Car Pusher

• CATEGORIES: Builds, FC150-FC170-M677, Features, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I ran across this unusually modified FC named Work’N Woody.  According to this website, it’s a modified FC that has been a fixture at race tracks since 1978.  It even has its own website.  You can see a gallery of pictures here.  Pretty cool!  It must be a great place to watch a race.

Here are a couple pictures from the website:

 

 
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1961 Fleetvan FJ-3A Brochure **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

This is a good look at an FJ-3A brochure. It is 8.5 x 4 Folded , 17 x 8 Unfolded.

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Original FC-170 Brochure on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, FC150-FC170-M677, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here are several original FC-170 brochures at a good price.

“ORIGINAL SHOWROOM FOLDOUT provides PICTURES, FEATURES, SPECS and MORE on this unusual 4-Wheel Drive JEEP. In EXCELLENT CONDITION.”

View all the info on eBay

 
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Dinky Tow Truck Toy **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Features, toys This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** WAS on eBay.

According to the CJ-3B Page, the Dinky Tow Truck, called a Jeep De Depannage, was based on the French Hotchkiss M201 and sold in France through 1971.  In the case of the toy below, the rubber ‘rope’ that held the tow hook has perished and has been replaced with string.”

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Jim’s Uncle Frank Photo from the Korean War

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Jim created a post in honor of his Uncle and Cousin. Below is a small version of one of those pictures.  The caption reads, “Men and Vehicles of Baker Co. 23rd Regft, 2nd Infantry Div. Hong chon (?) May ’51”.  Visit Jim’s site to see a larger version of the photo below and the rest of the pictures. Thanks Jim!

http://bus-plunge.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-uncles-car_31.html

 
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Maverick TV Show Mailer

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, FC150-FC170-M677, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

This brochure was designed as mailer to promote the TV Show Maverick with James Garner as a joint advertising venture.  This is 8.5 x 5.5 folded , 8.5 x 11 unfolded.

 
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1957 Export Family of Jeeps (CJ-3B, CJ-5, CJ-6) Brochure on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is a neat Willys Export Corp fold out brochure that highlights the CJ-3B, CJ-5, and the CJ-6.

View all the information on eBay