Steve shard these ads for a CJ-2A tailgate and hood.
1946 VEC CJ-2A Arroyo Grande, CA $4000
UPDATE: Price dropped to $4000.
It’s a project or parts.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1927841974050574
“Flexible on price open to trades. Small block Chevy mounted to t90 trans (no clutch in currently), Dana 20 tcase, new frame horns (18”), plated frame from bumper to firewall w/ 1/4” steel. Unfinished project don’t have the time right now. Registration was just paid. I have a good bit of parts for it.”
1947 CJ-2A Worland, WY $7000
While the price does include tools (such as a parts washer), the price still seems high for a project. Maybe there are many more tools than listed.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1653049221528167
“1947 Jeep Willys Restore/Rebuild Project Parts, tools, lots of extras pieces, guides, etc. Frame was completely rebuilt, motor was next on list to rebuild. Comes with parts washer, tools, jacks, engine stand, and whatever else in the garage that would help you. Jeep was never titled according to precious owner who bought it from the Army. This would make a great dad/son winter rebuild tinkering project. My loss is your gain and I know my husband would love to see someone else enjoy bringing it back to life.”
1942 MB Sheridan, CA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3800
(03/02/2021) Has lots of mods.
“1942 Willys jeep. Brand new Buick v-6 Edlebrock intake and carb. 700 r. Tranny”
1951 CJ-3A? North Brandford, CT $6500
UPDATE: Still Available.
(11/30/2020) This appears to be a CJ-3A with a replacement tub, but hard to tell for sure given the pics.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1541216709418444
“1951 willys Jeep. Have 90% of the parts. There is not rot on it at all it has been in a garage all it’s life. Motors all there needs to be gone through before running it. I have the front seats they will need to be re covers but there not bad. Has big tires on it solid front a rear axles. Not in a rush to sell it but I’m also not giving it away. Yes it needs work but you won’t find one in this good of condition in ct. has a new body on it an I have the receipt. Will trade for a tractor with a bucket an a 3 point hitch attachment”
Video of 1970 CJ-5 with 882 Miles
Maury shared this video from Collins Brothers Jeep (out of Wylie, Texas) of a 1970 CJ-5 with only 882 miles. (In case the video doesn’t work correctly, the 1970 CJ-5 portion begins near the 5:20 mark).
Willys Jeep Newspaper Ad During 1944
UPDATE: Maury shared a magazine page on eBay that contains a similar ad to the one shown at the bottom of this page. It’s almost identical, except that Jeep now appears with single-quotes.
The use of single quotes outside of a set of double quotes is uncommon. One editor summed it up best by describing it’s use this way: If a phrase or a word is uncommon or you are highlighting it to the reader for a particular reason – for example, as a neologism or a conscious use of jargon – use single quotation marks. Any punctuation sits outside single quotation marks. Thus, I suspect Willys-Overland felt they could defend the use of ‘JEEP’ by describing it’s presence as a descriptive use of jargon, rather than an attempt to back into the trademarking of the name. However, backing into the trademark using single quotes was exactly what the company was doing.
To answer the question I asked in the original post (was the bottom ad a local dealer or national corporate campaign), given these two ads appeared in two different national magazines, it seems likely this simple ad construction was part of a national campaign by Willys-Overland to begin prepping the public for post war jeep sales, This particular ad appeared in the October 1944 issue of Successful Farming.
This page is for sale on eBay:
The purposeful addition of the single quotes reflects a similar change seen in the iconic Saturday Evening Posts during 1944, as demonstrated in these ads. The first highlighted ad of February 05, 1944, was the first time Willys-Overland replaced the prominent WILLYS stamp on the Post ads with JEEP (or in this case JEEPS) with no single quotes.
What isn’t quite the same is that the Midland Journal ad below without the single quotes lasted longer (through October 6 1944) than the Saturday Evening Post ads. Perhaps Willys-Overland purchased several months of ads beginning in June of 1944 right before the addition of the single quotes too place? However it happened, what the ad above shows is that Willys was correcting the single quotes’ issue across its advertising.
Why did the company ad the single quotes in the first place? As I argued in this long post on Willys Overland’s changing identity during WWII, I believe it stems from the 1944 congressional inquiry into the company’s efforts to trademark the JEEP name.
========================
Originally published March 29, 2020: Here’s an unusually small and succinct ad that appeared seven times in the Midland Journal out of Rising Sun, Maryland, from June 30, 1944, through October 6, 1944. I’ve yet to run across this specific ad elsewhere.
One thing to note is that in July of 1944, Willys-Overland began using single quotes around the word Jeep like this ‘Jeep’ major magazine ads, yet that was not done in any of the newspaper ads in the Midland Journal, as shown below. (Ed note …. Yeah, I know, not earth shattering news, but I never know when little details like this will add up to some insight).
The ad shown below was in the August 11, 1944, issue of the Midland Journal:
This shows how small the ad was within the newspaper page.
A WWII Jeep Crate Weighed 784lbs
In the miscellaneous-facts-that-probably-weren’t-accurate-at-all …. According to the July 05, 1944, issue of the Conneautville Courier (Conneautville, Pennsylvania), the standard jeep weighed 2,368lbs, while the crates used to box jeeps weighted 784lbs. I wonder how many jeeps and how many crates actually weight those amounts?
1946? CJ-2A Pocatello, ID $3000
The engine has been removed.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/742272726434104
“1946 willy’s CJ2A needs to be restored and rebuilt also comes with two engines 2.2 l I would like to get as much as I can out of it. There getting harder to find.”
1946 CJ-2A JeepRod New Windsor, NY $2000
UPDATE: Still Available.
(11/30/2020) This custom road jeep will need some work. The body may be atop a non jeep 2WD chassis.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3572353829493079
“1946 Jeep willys with 4.3 vortec engine and transmission. Was running and driving but now won’t move. Maybe transmission maybe something else. Was driving and went to go somewhere won’t move. Wish I had the time to work on but not looking like anytime soon. Obviously needs pretty much full restoration but definitely a good start. Don’t waste either of our time with offers by text, they are worthless and zero people who make offers by phone ever show”
1952 M-38 West Plains, MO $7500
Looks solid.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/537967717605350
“1952 Willys M38 army jeep in running and driving condition”
1948 CJ-2A Van Buren, MO $1400
It’s a project with a title.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/272077711097563
“Would like to sell for 1400 or trade. Clean title in hand. Its got floorboard rust and its a project. I started raptor lining it od green and have the rest of the liner to finish it to go with it. Original 4 cylinder spins over freely. Comes with factory axles and a set of jeep cherokee axles. Have way too many projects. Wheels and tires in pictures don’t go with it”
1959 Truck JeepRod Levittown, PA $14,000
UPDATE: Still Available.
(01/24/2021) Another unusual JeepRod build.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3436258699817372
“Custom 59 Jeep Pickup rat rod, 430 Buick motor, automatic Trans, with quick change heavy duty rear, fuel cell, new battery, huge wide 5 tires and rims, electric fan, custom air cleaner, Wildwood front brake assembly, all new tires, must be seen.OR OFFER thanks Paul. OR TRADE. RAT ROD”
Jeep Parts Conneaut, OH **SOLD**
UPDATE **SOLD**.
Seller is accepting offers, so unclear how firm he is on the listed price (and I’m unclear just how much value is here).
“No titles two frames and a ton of other parts sat in a field forever engine was locked up needs complete rebuild the transmission transfer case is a t-84 wwii steering wheel Rims I have all three styles two are non slotted I’ve got the axles brakes another block extra parts.. never had the tub for it one of the frames is rusted the other is good. You’ll have to come and take a look at whats here I haven’t looked at this stuff in a year or so..then make an offer.”
1945? CJ-2A? Garden, MI $5000
UPDATE: Still Available.
(11/24/2020) The half cab appears custom. Nothing indicates it is a 1945 model.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2860221170857907
“1945 Willys jeep runs drives stops new floor braces,floor pans,fuel pump,exhaust,gauges”not all hook up yet”,choke and throttle cable all new lights and led back up lights custom built half cab with large sliding back window original Willys doors with roll down windows seats redone 33 boggers on back swampers on front not perfect or flawless but great trail buggy sure I’m forgetting some stuff”
1947 CJ-2A Booneville, MS $3500
UPDATE: Price dropped to $3500.
(03/03/2021) This is a project.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1128972637577767
“I’m burned out on this project and want to sell. This CJ2A came out of West Tennessee and has had the frame and body repainted and the rust patched. There is some surface rust bleeding through the paint as you can see in the photos on the body.
Engine is a L-134, rebuilt by the military at some point Transmission is a Ford T18 Transfer case is the original Dana 18 Front axle Dana 25 Rear axle Dana 41
Disc brakes are on all four wheels. 7.00×16 NDT tires with excellent tread
All the parts are here to complete it.
Price is negotiable.”
1960? Custom Flattie Project Kuttawa, KY $900
UPDATE: Still Available.
(11/16/2020) Given the price, there might be value here.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/346038503320041
“Toy or parts has a 350 motor an 400 trans has military running gear”
1946 CJ-2A Abbotsford, WI $3000
UPDATE: Still Available.
(12/12/2020) I’m not sure how much value is here.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2528223204141583
“1946 Willys Jeep. Make nice reservations project or hunting vehicle. Engine is out of cj3 I do have the flat head 4 for it. Was going to rebuild but to many projects and I am not getting any younger. I do have a title for it witch are hard to find”
Year? DJ-5 Rathdrum, ID $500
UPDATE: As Jay points out, this may be a DJ-5 as it lacks shifters for the transfercase.
This *might* be an ex-luggage DJ-5. Note the shape of the passenger-side rear fender. This is a CJ, not military.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/282740803251197
“Military style jeep, kaiser jeep. Does not run. Antique vehicle As is”
1950 CJ-3A Amherst, WI $650
There seems like $650 worth of value here.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/498854704853796/
“1950 Willy’s CJ3A. This would be great for either a restoration project or parts! Have the L-head motor out of it that would need to be gone through and put in to make it original. Also have most of an F-head motor went into the following Willy’s models. Drivetrain is all in place. Probably easiest to get a new tub as the floor is in pretty rough shape. Most body parts are included and all gauges in place. Have windshield (needs new glass), a heater.
Missing seat frames and does not have original rims. Would need some new tires as current don’t hold air very long (long enough to get onto a trailer though). It all goes together and not looking to sell individual parts unless you’re going to pay the asking price of it complete for just the parts you want. No Title. PM with questions, more pics, or to come look at. I just ask you be serious if you would like to schedule a time to look at. Thank you.”
1956 CJ-5 Dover, OH **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3800.
Tom spotted this jeep. It includes an overdrive (not installed). While the fenders and paint aren’t original, along with a couple other items, there’s a lot to like here.
“Nice old Jeep. Was in storage for long time. New fuel tank,battery,tune up, and carburetor rebuilt. Fun little machine. Rare hardtop. Optional Jeep steps. Extra overdrive included.”
Just One Update for Sunday
Updates will resume Monday morning….
Only 17 more days until we close on the new place. We’ve packed most of our stuff and are now doing minor repairs and maintenance, such as some trim painting, light landscaping, and, one of the biggest tasks, cleaning out our backyard waterfall and pond. It can be a pain to clean every spring, but it sure is nice to listen to on the back porch on a sunny day. It will also help sell this place.
Here is how it usually looks (though this was taken in April, prior to many of the flowers blooming):
As we approach the closing date, I plan to take at least one, if not two weeks off to get the new place ready, move our stuff, and finish details on the old house to ready it for sale. But, don’t fret, there will still be new daily content (and some retread of older feature posts). One person who is responsible for providing new content is a dedicated researcher named John Hamrin, who has taken the time to go through the British Pathe video site to locate any videos with jeeps in it. He has now sent me over 100 links to videos, with more arriving as I type this post. So far, most appear to be WWII related. So, a HUGE thanks to him for his painstaking research and generosity!!
Finally, a word to one of our newest and most passionate readers, almost-two-year-old Miranda Tilford, who, has become a passionate viewer of eWillys. On Saturday morning (yesterday), Marty wrote to tell me that shortly before messaging me, Miranda came up to him and said, “Jeep, jeep, jeep”. At first he was confused at what she wanted, so she repeated, “jeep, jeep, jeep”. About that time, Marty realized that she wanted to sit down with him and go through eWillys. Sure enough, they sat down and scrolled through some jeeps. That poor, poor young lady has been afflicted with the Willys sickness already; there is no hope for her!!
So, in Miranda’s honor, with a nod to John’s video efforts, here are some WAACs trying out their driving skills with jeeps and trucks:
February 1962 Issue of Jeep News
This February 1962 issue of Jeep News includes two good photos on page four of the DJ-3A-based mobile bar that was at the Las Brisas resort in Mexico. I have a color photo of that, too. It might be fun to recreate one of those.
Page three shares a little info on a twenty-eight page dealer booklet entitled, “Your Ten Major Retail Markets”. That’s a book I’ve yet to see anywhere.
1948? Willys-Overland Sign Program
This eight-page Willys-Overland Sign Program sold on eBay for $38 (plus $4 shipping) late night. The seller only provided two pics, so I was unsure if this would be worth the money. Given the front-page design of the brochure, I’d guess this was produced around 1949. The design is reminiscent of other Willys-Overland catalogs of the era (see examples at the bottom).
“This is a 9 X 11 8 page brochure of WILLYS -OVERLAND SIGN PROGRAM FACTORY APPROVED shows products offered to dealers from Neon Products of Lima Ohio some slight scuffing on the covers…also has a order blank”
A 5-foot version of the Willys Service Sign sold out of Buda, Texas, for $400 back in 2014. It was likely sign model #WO-111 (the large sign pictured on the left side of the left page). These are the only two interior pages that were included in the auction ad:
====================
Similar covers from 1949 that have the style AND the WO logo. For example, Barney has this 1949 Parts List catalog listed on eBay:
There’s this 1949 Jeepster owners manual:
And, this is a 1948 CJ-3A Owners Manual on eBay:
And this 1948 CJ-2A (with envelope) owner’s manual on eBay:
1952 Photos of British Minister of Defense Earl Harold Alexander’s Jeep
These two photos show the jeep (likely a Ford GPW) of Defense Field Marshal Harold Alexander, the first Earl Alexander of Tunis (technically, Alexander of Tunis, Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander, Earl, 1891-1969). The second photo is dated June 27, 1952. The jeep’s tires look much more aggressive than the standard NDTs. The windshield looks more like a 2A than an MB/GPW. Those doors look awfully thick. I wonder how heavy they were.
According to the post, captions, these are “Part of a series that Williams shot on assignment documenting the visit to Korea of British Minister of Defence Field Marshal Harold Alexander, the first Earl Alexander of Tunis. Here, Earl Alexander salutes as he leaves a Common Wealth Division bunker in his jeep.”
All three of these photos are part of the Pepperdine University Digital Collections.
- https://cdm15730.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15730coll5/id/1334
- https://cdm15730.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15730coll5/id/695
- https://cdm15730.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15730coll5/id/1148