Features Research Archives

To Top

1973 4Dr CJ-5/7/Scrambler Newark, DE **SOLD**

January 28, 2021 • CATEGORIES: CJ-7, CJ5, Features, Other 4x4s • TAGS: , , , , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
1

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $19,990.

(12/11/2020) This is certainly unusual build.

1973-cj5-stretched-4dr-newark-de0 1973-cj5-stretched-4dr-newark-de1 1973-cj5-stretched-4dr-newark-de2 1973-cj5-stretched-4dr-newark-de3

“f Jeep would have started building these in the 70s, they would have never had financial issues. Look at this rare piece.The Jeep was built using all CJ5 parts. The front door is modeled off of a CJ7. The rear door is modeled off of a CJ5.

The bed is extended to the length of a CJ6 or CJ8 Scrambler. The frame is stretched 36 inches in the middle and 14 inches behind the rear axle. The frame was boxed from the front to the rear spring perches. It has Dana 30 and Dana 44 axles (both are open diffs). The transfer case is a Dana 20. The transmission is a 3 speed. I believe it is a T150.

The engine is an AMC 360 from a 1972 Wagoneer. It was rebuilt about 20,000 miles ago. It was bored over. The crank was turned. It got all new bearings, new pistons, new valve guides, and hardened seats. It has an RV cam, an Edelbrock SP2P low rise dual plane intake, and a Holley Street Avenger 570cfm double pumper carb. Skip White electronic ignition/distributor. Warn 8274 Winch. Heavy duty steel front fenders. (Matching Rescue Green CJ5 OEM fenders also included.) Rear corner guards. The motor has more than enough power for a vehicle this size.

Continue reading →

 
To Top

1942 Article and Pics About Maj. Gen. Jacob Devers

January 27, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
8

Major General Jacob Devers made multiple appearances in newspapers across the country. On February 05, 1942, he announced at Fort Knox that the armored forces could begin personalizing their peeps, jeeps, tanks, and other equipment with names, though they could not be objectionable names. The order does not indicate approval to put names on the windshields, but apparently that became allowed at some point.

1942-02-05-panamacity-news-herald-peep-jeep-names

On October 17, 1942 (Appeal Democrat out of Marysville, California) the Major General was photographed with other senior leaders discussing issues while sitting in a jeep:

1942-10-17-appeal-democrat-marysville-ca-lt-gen-devers

========================

Originally Posted March 13, 2018: Interesting discussion on peep vs. jeep within the caption. The caption claims it has been misnamed “peep”, but then claims it has been erroneously called a “jeep” and that a “jeep” is a larger vehicle (Command Car, though in this case it is a Willys MA). As we’ve discussed earlier, there was a great debate about the proper term for the vehicle.

“WWII Maj. Gen. Jacob Devers in Willys MB Jeep Original Press Photo”

1942-02-21-peep-jeep1

1942-02-21-peep-jeep2

 
To Top

1958 Ad and Merchandise Bulletin For the ‘Jeep’ CJ-5 Hardtop

January 27, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Documents, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2

Mike shared this bulletin from March 11, 1958, that notified dealers a brochure was available for the Koenig-made ‘Jeep’ hardtop. For some reason, the company did not produce a brochure for the top; it took dealers requesting a brochure for them to make one.

1958-03-11-ad-bulletin-jeep-hardtop-brochure1-lores 1958-03-11-ad-bulletin-jeep-hardtop-brochure2-lores 1958-03-11-ad-bulletin-jeep-hardtop-brochure3-lores

 
To Top

May 1947 French Canadian Willys of Canada Limited Ad

January 27, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, Old Images • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

Here’s another early French Canadian ad for the universal jeep.

Photos

 
To Top

Kempro MB Wood Model Kit on eBay

January 27, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features, Models, toys This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2

Bidding starts at $40 (down from $50). Though the illustration on the box suggests the is a slat grill MB, the grill in the box is the standard looking grille.

View all the information on eBay

“Rare Chicago Kempro All Star Jeep Model Kit Wood. Condition is “Used”. Box has staining as shown. Appears complete but see photos and ask any questions. Box measures 14×6.”

ford-gp-kempro-wood-model-1 ford-gp-kempro-wood-model-2 ford-gp-kempro-wood-model-3 ford-gp-kempro-wood-model-4

 
To Top

NOS? 10-Spline Selectro Hubs Gonzales, CA $500

January 27, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features, Parts • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2

These look like they’ve never been mounted. What’s most interesting to me is that associated docs, which affirm Selectro hubs were made by Husky products (there is a short discussion of Husky making Selectro hubs on this very long page). These documents would have been produced after 1972, as that was the Heavy Duty Selectro hubs were released.

selectro-hubs-docs01

selectro-hubs-docs03 selectro-hubs-docs02 selectro-hubs-docs0 selectro-hubs-docs1

Continue reading →

 
To Top

1949 Ad from Dealer M. O. Trindel

January 26, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
1

This ad March 05, 1949, ad in the Beatrice times (Beatrice, Nebraska) from M. O. Trindel, and authorized Jeep Sales and Service provider underscores his enthusiasm for the Willys 1949 line-up of vehicles. His argument that Willys-Overland’s lack of innovation (models didn’t change yearly) was a competitive differentiator that I hadn’t considered, but this meant there was much internal innovation. I would argue that instead of Willys-Overland and Willys Motors innovating internally, they left the innovations to the special equipment folks, from tops and hubs to winches and other pto equipment.

1949-03-05-beatrice-times-mo-trindel-1949-jeep-lineup-lores

 
To Top

Toy Pressed Steel Jeep **SOLD**

January 26, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features, toys This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

UPDATE: **SOLD** for $12.00 on eBay (plus $15 shipping).

Anyone recognize this toy? It is in rough condition.

View all the information ebay

“Vintage 1940’s Era Pressed Steel Willys Jeep, Metal Wheels. Condition is “Used”. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. Couldn’t find the makers mark it may have deteriorated over time, I am not an expert on steel pressed toys it looks like it was modeled after the Louis Marx Pressed steel jeeps but it is 6.5″ long and i have been told that Marx Jeeps were 11″ long. The steering wheel is missing and the pop-up window is missing”

press-steel-jeep-toy-military1

press-steel-jeep-toy-military2

press-steel-jeep-toy-military3

press-steel-jeep-toy-military4

 
To Top

1970s Kent-Moore Special Tool “Posters”

January 25, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
5

Thanks to Blaine for spotting a Craigslist ad for six unique tool posters. They are each almost 2ft square and made of a plasticized (?)  paper. There is definitely a weight to them. I suspect, given two of the posters have a number (Transmission & Clutch 2) that there were additional types of posters.

dealership-tool-posters1

The text of the ad explains them well, “Set of six 1970’s vintage Jeep Kent-Moore special tool dealership posters. The six posters include special tool diagrams with associated part numbers for the “Body”, “Transmission & Clutch 2”, “Brakes”, “Axle & Propeller Shaft 3”, “Transfer Case & Overdrive”, and “Steering & Suspension”. Each poster measures 23.5” x 23.5” and has 4 punched holes in each corner for hanging/display purposes. All posters are in very good condition with some very minor paint wear on a few of the diagrams. The posters were found in the basement of an old jeep dealership in Montana and believed to have never been used.”

I picked these up Saturday afternoon, knowing that the proceeds were going to help restore vintage Yellowstone Tour Cars, but more about that in a moment.

The sellers, David and Cheryl, were a delight to speak with and I felt like we became fast friends. They explained that David’s grandfather owned a garage on the Main Street of Red Lodge, Montana. After WWII, his grandfather started selling jeeps, which meant David spent his youth driving a CJ-2A, so he is pretty familiar with jeeps. In fact, David and Cheryl still own two Wagoneers, both of which came from the family dealership.

These days, the garage is no longer a garage; instead, it houses the Buses of Yellowstone Preservation Trust, Inc., a 501(c) nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and preserving the history of the early Yellowstone tourist vehicles. If you are interested in making a donation to their efforts, you can do so here.

David and Cheryl are also restoring the garage and former gas station back to a 1930s feel. One item they are still seeking is an original or good quality reproduction of a large Mobilgas Pegasus sign/horse. If you have any signage like that, I know they’d be interested in discussing it with you.

Once we can travel again, we’ll be stopping by Red Lodge, as they’ve offered to give a us a tour of the old station.

In the meantime, here are some pics of the tool posters:
dealership-tool-posters3 dealership-tool-posters4
Continue reading →

 
To Top

April 1947 Willys Ad in French Canadian Magazine

January 25, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, International • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

This is the first of a series of French Canadian ads that I found on eBay. This first one was published in the April 1947 issue of Le Bulletin des Agriculture.

Photos

 
To Top

2 Photos Generals w/ Modified Jeeps on eBay

January 25, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

A couple good photos of a modified jeep used by Generals, including General Hodges, General Bradley and/or General Eisenhower. The cowl on the second jeep below is particularly unusual (armor plating?).

1. View all the information on eBay

1945-jeep-hodges-bradley-eisenhower1

1945-jeep-hodges-bradley-eisenhower2

“ITEM: Original WWII Photo of GENERAL COURTNEY HODGES (1st Army Commander), GENERAL OMAR BRADLEY (in back by Hodges) and GENERAL DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (in front seat) all in the same JEEP at REMAGEN just after the 9th Armored Division captured the LUDENDORFF BRIDGE in tact, March 1945. I cannot tell who the Major General is that they are talking to, but it is probably John Leonard who commanded the 9th Armored Division. See the other Remagen related photos that I have listed separately.

Photo is from Sergeant Robert L. Lambert who was in the III Corps Inspector General Section. III Corps participated in the Tennessee Maneuvers. Later they processed troops arriving in Normandy during the invasion of France and organized the Red Ball Express to supply the drive across Northern France in 1944. Before and during the Battle of the Bulge, III Corps was in Patton’s 3rd Army and consisted of the 26th & 80th Infantry Divisions and the 4th Armored Division which Patton thrust into the flank of the German Bulge to relieve the 101st Airborne Division surrounded at Bastogne. In 1945 III Corps was assigned to the 1st Army and included the 9th Armored Division which captured the Ludendorff Bridge in tact at Remagen, Germany.”

2. View all the information on eBay

1945-jeep-hodges-bradley-eisenhower3

1945-jeep-hodges-bradley-eisenhower4

“ITEM: Original WWII Photo of GENERAL OMAR BRADLEY in JEEP and GENERAL COURTNEY HODGES (1st Army Commander, extending hand) in REMAGEN just after the 9th Armored Division captured the LUDENDORFF BRIDGE in tact, March 1945. Note the three stars for Lieutenant General on the Jeep. I am guessing that the smiling major (who Hodges is reaching to shake his hand) must have been one of the principles taking and securing the bridge, but I do not recognize him. See the other Remagen related photos that I have listed separately.

Photo is from Sergeant Robert L. Lambert who was in the III Corps Inspector General Section. III Corps participated in the Tennessee Maneuvers. Later they processed troops arriving in Normandy during the invasion of France and organized the Red Ball Express to supply the drive across Northern France in 1944. Before and during the Battle of the Bulge, III Corps was in Patton’s 3rd Army and consisted of the 26th & 80th Infantry Divisions and the 4th Armored Division which Patton thrust into the flank of the German Bulge to relieve the 101st Airborne Division surrounded at Bastogne. In 1945 III Corps was assigned to the 1st Army and included the 9th Armored Division which captured the Ludendorff Bridge in tact at Remagen, Germany.”

 
To Top

1941 Article on the ‘Jeep’ Army Car

January 25, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

The jeep has four speeds forward? This article appeared in the Abilene Reporter-News out of Texas on March 02, 1941.

1941-03-02-abilene-reporter-news-tx-new-jeep1 1941-03-02-abilene-reporter-news-tx-new-jeep2

 
To Top

1956 DJ-3A Dispatcher Mailer Brochure on eBay

January 25, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, DJ-3A, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

UPDATE: These pics are from a previous eBay ad. This mailer brochure rarely comes up for sale. It folds out to 8.5″x11″. There’s no form number printed. 

View all the information on eBay

 
To Top

A World Odyssey-The Epic Voyage of the Sand Ship Discovery

January 24, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
16

UPDATE II: Maury forwarded an updated video about the Sand Ship Discovery that was posted to youtube in January of 2020. Loren’s wife provides information on some of the unique details of this CJ-5, modified for difficult terrain and the 6’4″ Loren Upton.

======================

This post was last posted December 26, 2017:  This just appeared in our local newspaper. A couple local folks are helping him out. Here’s an accompanying video:


ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM MAY 10, 2017:
An article from Spokane’s Spokesman Review alerted me to the story of A World Odyssey-The Epic Voyage of the Sand Ship Discovery. This is actually a local story (for me) as Loren Upton, the man at the root of the adventure, has lived in Yakima and the Tri-Cities and worked at the nearby Hanford  nuclear reservation.

Between 1984 and 1989, Loren piloted a CJ-5 around the world, surpassing 55,000 miles. The jeep holds a Guiness book of World Record for being the first vehicle to cross the Darien Gap. Some of you might remember the 2014 post about the 1959-1960 venture across the Darien Gap in a Willys Truck and a Land Rover. However, some of that trip was done by floating part of the river.

Loren’s nephew Laurence would like to restore the CJ-5 back to it’s former glory and then take his Uncle on one more world trip. They’ve set up a go-fund-me page and a website with lots of information and photos. Good luck to them!

http://www.outbackofbeyond.com/index.html

Laurence-Upton-Sand-Ship-Discovery4

 
To Top

4 1957 FC-150 Canadian Ads on eBay

January 24, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, International This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

These ads were published in conjunction with Willys Limited of Canada.

View all the information on eBay

“You are bidding on a lot of 4 different ads for the Jeep Willys FC-150 from 1957. Ads are in excellent condition. Check pictures carefully.”

1957-fc150-ads-canada

 
To Top

1954 Kaiser Willys Notepad on eBay

January 24, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2

This seems a strange item, especially marketed in conjunction with the Civic Opera House in Chicago.

View all the information on eBay

“1954 KAISER WILLY’S BRAND- POCKET NOTE PAD – CHICAGO CIVIC OPERA HOUSE SPONSORED… BLANK NOTEPAD”

1954-kaiser-willys-notepad1 1954-kaiser-willys-notepad2 1954-kaiser-willys-notepad3

 
To Top

Anyone Recognize Tracy’s 1944 MB

January 23, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Builds, Features, Sedan-jeep • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
12

Tracy shared pics of his grandfather’s WW2 jeep that was customized at some point, either motor-pool modified or post-war modified. He’s hoping someone might have more information about it.

1944-mb-tracy7

1944-mb-tracy1“This Willys came to me by way of my grandfather, a WW2 veteran of Normandy where, D-Day+1 his unit was shelled by 88’s and he lost his leg.

I have no idea when he, himself, acquired it as I never even knew it existed until I was called to remove it. Since my father never mentioned it to me, it is likely he didnt know either.

I can only assume he had visions of restoring it. Now, that falls to me, and I gladly accept that.

My plan is to do more of a “restification” on it than an all out restoration.

You see, the modifications that have been made are completely, and thoroughly welded in place. As it looks to have been this way since, at least, the era that it was acquired as surplus, if not before, it has really become part of the vehicle’s story and it will remain. The workmanship is very well done and, whoever did these modifications was a very skilled welder/fabricator as all welds, fit, and finish are top notch.

So, I share it here in hopes that I may find information on that history.”

1944-mb-tracy2

1944-mb-tracy3 Continue reading →

 
To Top

1949 Photo of CJ-2As in China on eBay

January 23, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

This press photo shows a good shot of a CJ-2A that was likely commandeered by the Chinese Nationalists for use in the defense of Shanghai. The photo is dated May 14, 1949.

View all the information on eBay

Jeeps’ Commandeered For Defense of Shangai: Shanghai, China ………..
Here are some of the 300 jeeps commandeered by the Nationalists in Shanghai from civilian business to be used in the defense of the city. Owners not only had to part with their treasured vehicles, but were ordered to supply drivers, tools and spare tire. The jeeps and more than 400 other trucks are now pooled in Chung Cheng Park awaiting assignment orders. Reports this morning said that the sound of big guns could be heard on the outskirts of Shanghai.

1949-05-14-china-cj2a-1 1949-05-14-china-cj2a-2

 

 
To Top

1941 Article Jeep and Dust Clouds

January 23, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

This June 18, 1941, article in the Los Angeles Times discusses how a “trapped jeep” uses a dust cloud to a escape the ‘enemy’.

1941-06-18-losangeles-times-dust-jeep-lores

 
To Top

December 1961 Article About Sheriff’s New Jeep

January 23, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

This Times Record (Troy, New York) article on December 14, 1961, shares the news that the Rensselaer County Sheriff just received a new jeep (FC-150) and boat.

1961-12-14-times-record-troy-ny-sherriff-gets-fc150-2-lores1961-12-14-times-record-troy-ny-sherriff-gets-fc150-3-lores 1961-12-14-times-record-troy-ny-sherriff-gets-fc150-lores

 
To Top

Toy Jeep from Hobby Lobby

January 23, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features, Models, toys This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
2

Blaine shared this ‘toy’ jeep he saw on Collectors Weekly. Neither of us had seen it before, but a commenter on that site said it was an “Art Decor piece likely sold at Hobby Lobby.”

“It’s a vintage Jeep Tin Toy that I recently bought. The writing on the hood is “U.S.A. 252678548”. It measures about 11 1/2 inches long, about 4 inches tall, and about 5 inches wide. On the bottom, it has “52” stamped on it. On the hood, it has a star.”

jeep-tin-toy

 
To Top

May 1941 Article on a Reporter’s First Jeep Ride

January 22, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

In the May 25, 1941, issue of the Des Moines Register, Iowan reporter Donald Grant describes his first ride in a jeep (Ford GP). Also included is a short article about three Iowan kids who died tragically during the previous weekend.

1941-05-25-des-moines-register-first-jeep-ride1-lores 1941-05-25-des-moines-register-first-jeep-ride2-lores

 

 
To Top

Leddy Willys MA Model + Ford GA Model **SOLD**

January 22, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features, Models, toys This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

This combo sold on eBay for $62.89. It features what appears to be a Leddy Willys MA model jeep + a built Ford GPA (possibly a Leddy model also). I was about to make a $110 bid to buy both just before the auction ended, but then I noticed the model box had no top. I thought that hurt the value, so declined to bid. I may regret that as the chances of finding another Leddy MA model probably isn’t very good.

leddy-ford-gpa-seep-toy-stardust0

leddys-willys-ma1

leddys-willys-ma2 leddys-willys-ma3

Continue reading →

 
To Top

Odd CJ-5 Grille on Facebook

January 21, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Features, wanted This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
6

UPDATE: Thanks for everyone’s quick input, we’ve solved this mystery. This particular grille is a 1969-1971 grille (see more in the comments).

Darin posted on Facebook this grille with tear-drop shaped parking light holes.

cj5-grille-teardrop

 
To Top

1955? Warn Hub Catalog and Price List

January 21, 2021 • CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Documents, Features • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
0

The catalog number for this Warn Hub document is 2-55, which might mean February of 1955. It shows the WL-2 Locking model on one side and the WA-1 Automatic model on the other.

warn-hubs-catalog-no-2-55-sheet2-lores warn-hubs-catalog-no-2-55-sheet1-lores