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Next Update Monday Morning

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

I’m tackling some other projects, so next updates will be Monday morning.

 
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Fred Weis and the Bobcat History

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

Yesterday morning, SteveK asked to know more about the Bobcat products. Were they race products or something else? The terminology is so second hand, that I thought everyone knew it by now. I decided to send him a link to an article I thought I had published about Fred Weis and the Bobcat body from the February 1970 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine. It turns out I never published that article!

So, I’d like to publish (perhaps I am republishing it) to better explain the Bobcat body and products. At the post’s bottom I’ve included a number of additional examples and information about the Bobcat. Then, on the next post, I discuss the Bobcat & Parkette fiberglass body histories.

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Note the Cascade 4×4 club sticker on the hood.

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Continue reading

 
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The Parkette and The Bobcat Body

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

Paul Parker, maker of the Parkette bodies, racing up a hill climb in Calgary in the summer of 1970. Photo courtesy of Ed Bray.

This is a companion article for the Fred Weis and Bobcat Body post. Much of this history is built from conversations, emails and comments on eWillys. I welcome corrections and additions.

In the late 1960s Fred Weis, who I understand ran a fiberglass products company, experimented with a fiberglass jeep design until he found one he liked. At the time he had been jeeping and jeep racing for a decade as part of the Cascade 4×4 Jeep Club. His first complete body was completed in 1969. By 1970, he was ready to produce them for resale. Fred’s bodies were built to be rugged, using fiberglass and wood.

The body was not intended to be an exact replica of the original body; instead, it met the needs outlined by Fred, who styled them (i would guess) to make them a little cooler. For example, the side steps reached the length of the body bend. The rim around the body edge was wider. The dash came with no holes. At some point, the body could be purchased with or without a tailgate and with or without a floor.

Fred also came up with two custom fiberglass raised hoods that provided more room in the engine compartment. One was a teardrop design (few were made) and the other was highly recognizable.

Long time jeeper Paul Parker decided to get into the fiberglass body business about the same time as Fred, so according to Ed Bray, Paul joked about buying Fred’s bodies, adding a side stripe, and calling them Parkettes. Another source told me that Paul did indeed do this, which led to a falling out to some degree between Fred and Paul.

Paul, who had been in the jeep parts business with his brother in Georgia before moving to the Tacoma area, began to build his own Parkette fiberglass tubs out of molds he built. They were very similar to Fred’s body. The biggest difference was that Paul’s jeep included a side stripe, similar to a hockey stick, that was designed to make the body side more rigid and set it apart from Fred’s body. Besides the side stripe, the body of the Parkette was better designed to fit the curve of the CJ-3A windshield. Fred’s body did not support the windshield well at all (I know this from personal experience with my Bobcat body).

You can see the Parkette stripe “hockey stick” on the side of the body. This was likely just a racing shell, given the lack of a tailgate. 

A family friend ran into the windshield issue as well.  Jim Carter bought a Bobcat body in the early 70s. The body arrived rough. The Carter’s sanded and primered the body, but when it came time to mount the windshield, Jim discovered it didn’t fit. He was angry. Many phone calls ensued. Next, Jim turned to Paul Parker, eventually buying a Parkette body. Jim, Pattie, and their two boys raced, trailed and streeted the jeep for years.

otis_3

Early 70s photo of the Carter family’s “Otis” not long after the new Parkette body was installed.

At some point, Fred passed the business and molds on to someone else. The Bobcat molds were divided into at least two groups. I have some of the molds. I hope some day to make my own Parkette body.

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A Parkette racing shell mold sits in the middle. A CJ-3B shell is at the far side. A floor is shown in the foreground (I believe that’s a 3B floor).

Continue reading

 
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1945 Photo Correspondent Robert Massell on eBay

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

UPDATE: Here’s another photo with Robert Massell in it.

“An original to the WWII time period photograph. Measures approximately 2.5″ x 2.5″ inches. This photo belonged to US War Correspondent Robert Massell who reported on the war from overseas for ABC’s Blue Network Company. He traveled throughout Germany with reporters such as Howard K. Smith-CBS, Robert Barr-BBC, Noel Monks- London Daily Express, Frank Conniff INS, and Bjorn Bjornson-NBC. ”

View all the information on eBay

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Continue reading

 
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1952 M-38A1 Air Force Jeep Austin, TX **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: M-38A1 • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $7500.

(12/01/2017) “This is an original Air Force Jeep used to shuttle crew to and from flight lines. Also used for taxi-ing incoming and outgoing planes.
This vehicle still has the original 24 volt system, black out lights all work, Original canvas seats. Original engine, transmission and transfer case work just fine. New brakes all around, new tires, rebuilt carburetor. This is not a restored vehicle, this is “as found”. The side windows are roll up crank and work fine. The numbers painted on the door match the numbers on the dash data plate which also match the number on the chassis data plate. Only issue still remaining is it needs a good alignment. Have clean title but is not yet licensed.”

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1947 CJ-2A Walterville, OR $7000

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Still Available.

(01/24/2018) This has an updated engine.

“1947 Willys Jeep, V6 Chevy vortexmotor. New paint, new top, new tires,new wench.
Must see to appreciate.”

https://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/d/1947-willys-jeep/6467991212.html

1947-cj2a-walterville-or1 1947-cj2a-walterville-or3

 

 
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1957 CJ-5 Anaheim, CA $19,000

• CATEGORIES: CJ5 • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This fiberglass bodied CJ-5 has numerous custom mods. I’m curious as to whether the cage is bolted to the frame at all. No wipers?

“Fiberglass Body. Powder Coated frame. Fuel injected 4.3L Chevy Vortec V-6. SM465 transmission with Dana 18 transfer case. Both recently rebuilt by Anaheim Gear. Dana 44 rear end, Dana 27 front. 4.88 gears. Family Roll Cage fabricated and rear wheel wells notched for increased front leg room by Steel Nutz Murietta, CA. PRP Seats with 4 point harness’. Custom dash with Auto Meter Gauges. All new wiring with EZ Wiring harness. Front power disc brakes with 11″ rear drums. GM style power steering. 33×12.5″x15″ BFG Mud Terrain T/A tires. 15 gallon fuel tank relocated to the rear. Powder coated tank and skid plate. Smittybilt XRC front and rear bumpers with tow bar.
Approximately 400 miles since completed.
Clean title, current registration.”
http://www.sellajeep.com/mjs/sale18/adm081/adm081.html

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1961 Wagon Monterey, CA $6800

• CATEGORIES: Willys Wagons • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $6800.

Glenn spotted this wagon.

“Classic Fun in this 1961 Willys Wagon
Original Flat Head 6 Super Hurricane Engine
Three Speed Transmission
4×4
Engine and Drivetrain Strong
Good Tires”

1961-wagon-monterey-ca1 1961-wagon-monterey-ca2 1961-wagon-monterey-ca3 1961-wagon-monterey-ca4

 
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Year? Swamp Rig Lake Placid, FL **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2750

This might be a WWII chassis. The transmission crossmember mount is early and it looks like this may have had a driver’s side spring helper.

“New transmission, full time 4 wheel drive runs good”

swap-rig-lakeplacid-fl

 
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1946? CJ-2A Bradleyville, MO $1500

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I’m not convinced this is a ’46. It’s unusual to see a Bobcat fiberglass hood this far east.

“46 Willies. Motor and tranny is in bed for it.”

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1666777800027656

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1946 CJ-2A Norris, MT **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $800.

Good price, but not a trivial amount of bodywork. Seller listed this as an M-38.

“Willy’s is complete just needs put back together and repaired, have most of the new parts”

cj2a-project-norris-mt

 
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L-134 Reno, NV **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **Sold** Was $400.

No mention as it whether it includes the correct pistons. It does have a gasket kit.

“L-134 BORED 60 OVER”

lhead-reno

 
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Navy Generator Norwalk, IA $1200

• CATEGORIES: Industrial-Welder-Generator This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Has a WWII engine.

“15KV military generator, around 1941-1945?
3 phase or 120 volt, built by General Electric Navy radar power.
Willys Jeep 4 cylinder engine, started with a battery, made oil pressure.
Low hours, restore it or use the engine in an old Jeep”

https://desmoines.craigslist.org/atq/d/ww2-navy-generator-jeep-engine/6428591371.html

generator-navy-ia1 generator-navy-ia2

 
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Koenig “King” Winch and 51 PTO Dayton, NV **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $850.

Seems in good shape.

“Complete Koenig King 100 winch from transfer case to drive shaft and mounting plate. Came off a 1960 Willys.”

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CJ-3A Body Black Canyon, AZ $650

• CATEGORIES: Body Parts, CJ-3A, Parts This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Still Available.

Just the body is for sale.

“For Sale; CJ2A or CJ3A jeep body, no rust out on the front floor or back floor pan, all floor hat channels no rust, left side cowl has some dings. This is one of the best bodies i have seen in years considering its age.”

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/d/cj2a-or-cj3a-body/6481279214.html

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1953 CJ-3B Hamburg, NY **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3B, Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4000.

“1953 Willys Jeep, front blade, metal half cab, Auburn trencher, x-Bflo. Fire Dept. Telegraph Dept., 8500 original miles – needs restoration. $4000.”

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Color WWII Photos

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

Blaine shared two links that show color WWII photos from 1943 Italy, including the one below.

  1. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2527908/Road-Rome-Rare-photos-chronicle-valiant-Allied-efforts-World-War-IIs-brutal-Italian-Campaign.html
  2. http://time.com/3881461/world-war-ii-in-color-photos-italian-campaign/

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Jeep Smoking Pipe **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

Here’s another Jeep-smoking pipe. These jeep pipes don’t appear very often. You can view two other examples here.

“This little pipe looks unused and is a WWII souvenir brought back by a US GI. The wooden part is about 2.5 inches long. See photo. This was in my WWII toy display for many years. It would look great in your toy JEEP or real JEEP collection. Made in FRANCE!”

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1947 CJ-2A Evergreen, CO **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $7995.

(10/07/2017) Includes the plow. The lack of a tailgate is curious. I suspect this has had some body work. Also note that a large speedo and backing plate has replaced the normal gauges.

“1947 CJ2A. with 12000# winch and plow (will sell without plow and winch for $1000 less). Will consider trades for a small automatic awd or 4wd in good condition. Need a vehicle for my kids.

Has a Buick dauntless 225 v6 that runs great. Plenty of power for this little jeep.
All new fluids in differentials, transmission, x-fer case, and engine.
Original three speed T90 manual transmission. Top speed 45mph.
New coolant, hoses and thermostat.
Carb. cleaned and rebuild kit installed
New fuel pump and cleaned gas tank and lines.
New plugs, wires, hotter cool, point and cap.
Body tub is lined with bed liner.
CJ5 seats with 3-point seat belts and rear seat belts.
Tilt steering column.
16″ period correct rims, plows snow like a tank.
Custom built front and rear bumper with d-ring attachment points.
Spare tire was relocated to the back of the jeep with an integrated high lift jack mount.
Has bikini top and new full Best top enclosure!
Will throw in a transmission for parts.
I set this jeep up to be capable trail rig for weekend camping trips.
No spammers or paypal please. I don’t need help selling, serious inquiries only please.”

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CJ-2A Body, Cage, Frame & Axles Norco, CA $350

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This includes a set of Dana 44s front and rear.

“Hi I have a willys Jeep cj2a. Has tub front fenders, grill,roll cage, windshield, tailgate, frame is not original but has nice Dana 44 front and rear axels. Nice bumper and tow bar. Has roller tires and wheels on it that are not pictured.”

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/willys-cj2a/6480321134.html

cj2a-body-cage-frame-ie

 
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1959 CJ-5 Hamilton, MT **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ5 • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4000.

That top looks in good shape.

“Near perfect oldie1959 willy cj5 jeep 4×4. There are only a few of these original cj5s left. The motor is the F-head 135 cid. It runs perfect. The 4×4 drive line and hubs are perfect. It still has the original “sears” aluminum top from when it was new. (oops! rims arn’t original). This is a completely rust free specimen including under seat fuel tank and tool well. The windshield should be replaced. The wipers and some dash wiring and speedo needs attention. Located in Hamilton Mt.”

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1965 CJ-5 Lake City, MI $2000

• CATEGORIES: CJ5 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Given all then parts, this might be worth a look.

https://nmi.craigslist.org/cto/d/1965-jeep-willy-cj-5/6478823012.html

1965-cj5-lakecity-mi

“The Good:
Runs Great!
New engine 2014 (crank, oil pump, rings, resurfaced deck, head, flywheel) less than 3000 miles on engine.
4 cylinder engine
New Clutch
Rebuilt Carter Carb
New Brakes x 4 (shoes, drums, master cylinder)
New Transmission 2015
New Exhaust pipe, muffler 2014
New Vinyl Top 2014
Tires replaced 2013ish, low miles
Front and Rear Springs have been replaced (also new shocks on rear).
Good working heat
Continue reading

 
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2 DJ-5s Ridgeway, VA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Chris spotted these. Could be a good deal.

“Two DJ-5 Postal Jeeps for sale. Projects, not running, I have a title for the green one, but the white one is in much better shape, no title for the white one. The roof rack is crappy PVC. Both appear complete, 2.5l 4 cylinder engines, 3-speed automatic transmission. Combine the two for a really nice cheap running Jeep that will turn heads.”

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1951 M-38 Arrington, TN $7995

• CATEGORIES: M-38 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Price dropped to $7995.

(01/23/2018) Needs some body work.

“1951 Willys M38
This is an original Military jeep that has 90% of the original equipment.
Restoration has started. Complete New brake system, new front springs, shocks, wheels and tires, seat frames and upolstery, gauge cluster, windshield frame and new windshield and many other items.
Runs and drives. Body fair but needs work. ”

https://nashville.craigslist.org/for/d/willys-m38/6467220247.html

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CJ-5/6/7/Scrambler Hood Reno, NV $200

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

It’s brand new.

“Jeep CJ7 hood, Brand new in box, AMC, Omix-Ada…. $275 new plus $150 shipping, buy from me and save $200!!!
fitment:
YEARS MAKE MODEL
1981-1986 Jeep CJ8 Scrambler
1972-1983 Jeep CJ5
1972-1975 Jeep CJ6
1976-1986 Jeep CJ7”

https://reno.craigslist.org/pts/d/jeep-cj-hood-new-in-box/6420076691.html

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