Dealerships Research Archives

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Two Dealer-Focused Ads from 1953 and 1956

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

Here are tow ads directed at existing or potential dealers. The first is from Willys-Overland likely in early 1953 and can be found here on eBay. Note the lack of a CJ-3B within the jeep-family that is shown.

1953-willys-dealer-for-year-round-profit-magazine-ad

This second one (here on eBay) is reported to have been published in 1956, though it lacks the CJ-6 or DJ-3A, so maybe early 1956? What’s curious is that by this time, the new “Willys Motors” organization had refocused on the “Jeep” brand. So, to see the brochure specifically refer to “Willys”, especially as the car brand was abandoned, is especially odd. This kind of has a recycled feel, as if someone in a hurry re-used an early 1950s ad.
1956-willys-offers-profit-mag-ad

 

 
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1947 Ad for Poole Motor Co. Jeep Dealer in Steele, MS

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

This full page ad for the Poole Motor Company out of Steele, Mississippi, appeared in the October 06, 1947, issue of the Courier News out of Blytheville, AR. It’s too bad the pics aren’t clearer.

1947-10-06-courier-poole-motor-co-jeep-ad

Nine months later, on June 01, 1948, the Poole Motor Co. published this ad in the Courier News:

1948-06-01-the-courier-news-poole-motor-co-dealer

 
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1965 Photo of New Jersey’s Smith Motor’s Jeep Franchise

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

This photo shows the new Ken Smith Motors Jeep franchise. The photo appeared in the May 22, 1965, issue of The News, out of Paterson, New Jersey.

1965-05-22-the-news-paterson-nj-dealer

 
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Maine Willys Sales Company Bangor, Maine

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

The Maine Willys Sales Co, appears to have launched in 1946 in Bangor, Maine. By 1949, the company was located in multiple Maine cities, including Bangor, Rockland, Lewiston, Portland, and Augusta. At some point, circa 1949, the Augusta branch sold six jeeps to the Forestry Department. The below image posted to the Forest Fire Lookout Association’s FB page documents this purchase:

1947-1950-maine-willys-jeep-sales-forestry-trucks

Here’s an ad from the March 30, 1949, issue of the Bangor News. Note that multiple cities are listed under Maine Willys Sales:

1949-03-30-bangor-daily-news-maine-willys-sales-lores

It’s likely that 1949 wasn’t kind to the Maine Willys Sales Company, because the February 09, 1950, issue of the Bangor Daily News reported that Chrysler had taken over the Maine Willys Sales Company property, though nothing was mentioned about what happened to the company.

Later that year, on June 15, 1950, a large ad appeared in the Bangor Daily News, but only the Maine Willys Sales Company of Rockland appeared on this list of dealers.

1950-06-15-bangor-daily-news-maine-willys-sales

The above ad strongly suggests that Maine Willys had dwindled to just one city in Maine by the summer of 1950. The company’s name was rarely seen in the newspapers after this ad.

The last reference I found for the company was for a July 11, 1953, article in the Bangor Daily News that mentioned an accident where a driver backed into the Rockland Maine Willys Sales showroom, shattering two large windows.

 
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FC-150 Ashtray Sold on eBay

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

This R.B. Macbride Ashtray sold on eBay for just over $20. R.B. Macbride was a long time vehicle dealer in Modesto, California, that didn’t get a jeep dealer agreement until early 1957. Here are photos of the ashtray.

FC-150-ashtray1

FC-150-ashtray2

This January 17th, 1957, article in the Modesto Bee shares the news about Macbride’s Willys Jeep dealership:

1957-01-17-modesto-bee-macbride-dealership

Later that same year, on July 17th, the Modesto Bee ran an ad for Macbride touting the new FC-170:1957-07-13-modesto-bee-macbride-dealership

 
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Kurland Hubs and Kurland Histories

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

One of the rarest type of jeeps hubs are the Kurland hubs. I’ve only had one pic of these hubs (thanks to Ted Jordan) until yesterday when Richard Darr forwarded me a photo of a set of hubs he acquired. This led me to a quick dive into the internet, which yielded the following.

A variety of searches related to “Kurland” and “Kurland Motors” yielded results in both Los Angeles (a city whose name appears on the hub) and Denver. In fact, there were Kurland Motor companies in Los Angeles, Denver, and Grand Junction, Colorado (also known as Kurland Junction Motors).

The Denver location was opened as early as August 1946, as an ad in the Windsor Beacon out of Windsor, Colorado, mentioned the new Universal Jeep arriving for delivery (soon).

1946-08-29-windsor-beacon-kurland-motors-ad

I couldn’t location much information about this Denver Willys distributor, other than Kurland Motors was instrumental in the launch of the Mile High Jeep Club in 1956 and that Kurland Motors, at least for a short time, marketed Kurland-branded bumpers about that same time.

Regarding Kurland Junction Motors, I was able to locate this ad from February 22, 1948, (The Daily Sentinel, GC, CO):

1948-02-22-daily-sentinel-gc-colo-kurland-junction-motors

Now, were the Denver/Grand Junction Kurland dealers connected to the Kurland Motors of Los Angeles that also sold Willys-Overland vehicles? If they were related, I have yet to find a connection. But, at least I was able to unearth more information about the LA Kurland.

1948-12-05-los-angeles-times-kurland-opens

CREDIT: December 05, 1948, issue of the Los Angeles Times

As the article suggests, the Transport Motor Company lost some key personnel. Perhaps Transport Motors had decided to exit its Willys-Overland relationship?

At some juncture, it appears Kurland launched a line of free-wheeling hubs. These hubs were stamped with 1) KURLAND, 2) Los Angeles and 3) Patent Pending. Unfortunately, I could find no patents related to the hubs. In fact, the only information I could find related to the hubs was a reference to a CJ-2A being sold with a set of the hubs.

1955-11-10-independent-long-beach-cal-kurland-hubs-ad

November 10, 1955, Independent News, Long Beach, CA.

Here are the only pics I have of the hubs:

KURLAND-HUBS-RICHARD

CREDIT: Richard Darr

ted-jordan-kurland-hubs-backs-lores1

CREDIT: Ted Jordan

Continue reading

 
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Transport Motor Company

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

UPDATE: I’ve added information to the bottom of the post which discusses the shift of employees from the Transport Motor Company to the Kurland Motor Company in late 1948.

Unfortunately, I don’t have time to export this topic further, but Barry Thomas is doing research into California’s Transport Motor Company, which was the earliest supplier of Willys farm equipment in California. If anyone has more info about the company, Barry of would like to know about it. Comment below or email me at [email protected] and I’ll connect you.

Transport Motor was already a strong Willys reseller by the time WWII started, so they were were well positioned for post-war sales and service. This ad was published in the October 19, 1941, issue of the Oakland Tribune as part of a larger article:

1941-10-19-oaklandtribune-transport-motor-co

After the war, the company pushed Willys Jeeps and the associated farm equipment, though it is unclear which specific models/manufacturers of the equipment was being sold, as evidenced by this October 27, 1946, classified ad in the Oakland Tribune:

1946-10-27-oaklandtribune-transport-motor

This article from the March 28, 1947, issue of the Ventura County Star claims that Transport was the first company to make farm equipment especially for the jeep (I would need to see more evidence to believe that):

1947-03-28-venturacountystar-transport-motor-company

For unknown reasons, in late 1948 many key personnel from the Transport company left Transport for a new Willys dealer, Kurland Motors. Whether Transport survived this event is unclear (perhaps the Transport company was already defunct by this time).

 
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Photo of Pouliot’s Dealership w/ Jeeps

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

Mike shared this photo that was floating around Facebook. It’s possible that this was a Minnesota dealership, as a few research nibbles seemed to send me there, but I couldn’t confirm anything. I imagine this was taken between 1963-1965, given he models shown.

The photo seems to have been first posted on Facebook here.

poliots-dealership-jeep-fb

 
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1950 Photo of Roy Fisher’s Willys “Jeep” Dealership

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

This 1950 photo from the Gateway to Oklahoma History archives shows Roy Fisher’s jeep dealership. His dealership was active between 1946 and 1950 in Oklahoma City, OK. It was sold about the time this May 1950 photo was taken. Note the CJ-2A Fire Jeep in the second story window. The vintage Willys sign with the drop “J” logo is cool as well.

Here are a few ads from the Roy Fisher Willys ‘Jeep’ dealer era.

1947-1948-roy-fisher-willys-jeep-ads-lores

1950-01-05-daily-oklahoman-roy-fisher-dealer-wagon-ad-lores

January 05, 1950, Daily Oklahoman.

Here is the sale announcement from the May 25, 1950, issue of the Miami News-Record out of Miami, Oklahoma:

1950-05-25-miami-news-record-ok-roy-fisher-motor-co-sold

 
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1957 Park ‘Jeep’ Dealership St. Louis Park, MN

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

UPDATE: As JoeB points out (and I missed), the van is an Economy 2WD Deliver Chassis with a Montpelier body conversion (vs. the Boyer version).

http://www.ewillys.com/2013/12/02/economy-delivery-van-image-comparison/#more-150114

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Several folks shared this photo with me. It was published by Paul Swanson on Facebook. HIs family used to own the dealership. The fourth vehicle in the row looks to be an unusual model of the economy/package/delivery van. You’ll note it lacks front hubs, suggesting it was 2WD. Some were 2WD and some 4WD vans: http://www.ewillys.com/2020/07/06/photo-of-an-unusual-boyerstown-built-2wd-delivery-van/

Paul dates the photo to 1957, but to me the FC-150 on the left and the first FC-150 in the row of jeeps look like they are not narrow tracks, which would put the photo later than 1957. Moreover, I cannot find any ads for Park Jeep earlier than the summer of 1958.

Paul indicated that he will post better images of the van.

1957-park-jeep-sales-photo-fb-dealer

1957-park-jeep-sales-photo-fb-dealer2

From the February 02, 1960, issue of the Minneapolis Star. Strangely, I could not locate any ads earlier than the summer of 1958. So, it’s unclear to me when the dealership opened. You’ll note this ad mentions an Economy van; maybe the one in the pic above never sold.

Clipping from The Minneapolis Star - Newspapers.com

 
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November 1946 Carl’s Motor Co. Dealer Ad

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

This looks like it may have been a full-page ad for Carl’s Motor company, despite the news stories sprinkled within. Note the photo of Bob Hope in a CJ-2A that seems to be promoting Carl’s Motors (I wonder if Bob Hope knew it).

1946-11-22-wilmington-daily-press-journal-carls-jeep-dealer1-lores 1946-11-22-wilmington-daily-press-journal-carls-jeep-dealer2-lores

 
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1953 Post Kaiser-Willys Merger Ads

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

These three Kaiser-Willys ads demonstrate a national campaign ad offering to dealers who wanted to share the news that Kaiser and Willys vehicles were being sold under the same brand. Though the purchase was announced in the spring of 1953, the ad campaign was introduced until the fall of 1953 after the sale was completed (See the June 1953 ad at bottom that introduces a new dealer, but doesn’t mention Kaiser).

The imagery and order of the blocks is interesting. Though Kaiser purchased Willys-Overland’s assets, for the extensive network of Willys dealers the experience was the opposite; they were adding Kaiser products to their Willys sales portfolios. I expect this explains why the Kaiser block is pictured being added to the Willys block rather than the other way around.

1953-11-05-the-times-shreveport-la-willys-kaiser-merger-lores

This ad was published on November 05, 1953, in The Times out of Shreveport, Louisiana, by Dixie Kaiser-Willys.

1953-10-08-the-birmingham-news-alabama-willys-kaiser-merger-ad-lores

This ad was published on October 08, 1953, in the Birmingham News, out of Birmingham, Alabama, by the Roy Bridges & Co., Inc.

1953-11-15-great-falls-tribune-willys-kaiser-merger-ad-lores

This ad was published on November 15, 1953, in the Great Falls Tribune, out of Montana, by Robinson Motor Co.

A June 5, 1953, full-page ad out of California introduced Haley Motors, a new “Willys” dealer. Though the merger had been announced, it wasn’t finalized until the fall of 1953; this likely explains why there was no mention of Kaiser in this ad.

1953-06-05-times-advocate-escondido-cali-haley-motors-open-ad-lores

 

 
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1969 Vagabond Adventures #1 on eBay

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

UPDATE: A new seller has over 10 issues of Vagabond: Adventures in 4-Wheel Drive issue #1 for sale. I purchased a copy and will post once I receive it. I’ve only documented two issues of this magazine; Here’s issue #2.

View all the information eBay

This is issue #1 Volume 1. Note the great article on the rare CJ-5 camper.

“Original factory magazine , 5.5 x 8.5 , 32 pages . Includes interesting articles showing Jeep Gladiator Camper , CJ5 Universal Camper , Wagoneer in Redwood National Park , many other interesting articles . This magazine was printed by Jeep and sent to the dealers and customers .”

1969-vagabond-magazine-jeep-vol1-1

1969-vagabond-magazine-jeep-vol1-4

 
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Homebuilt Willys Showroom Wingdale, NY $150

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

Not sure about the price, but a fun idea.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/490500534981786/

“1950’s Willys Showroom. 1/43 “O” scale. Homebuilt as shown. 2 vehicles included. Removeable roof to reveal detailed interior. Nice display piece OR use on your layout.Total footprint of model 17 1/2x 13″ $150. will consider delivery,local–no shipping. P.M. for cell and details”

willys-showroom-model-ny1 willys-showroom-model-ny2 willys-showroom-model-ny3 willys-showroom-model-ny4

Continue reading

 
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Joe Donham Willys Dealership near Oakland, Ca

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

UPDATE: Blaine spotted a post that provides more background on the Joe Donham and a pic of how it looked as of 2006.

http://berkeleyheritage.com/eastbay_then-now/roadside.html

donham-dealership-eastbay-ca

According to the website post,

Joseph B. Donham (1895–1982), who followed Warren at this location, was general sales manager for the Val Strough organization in the 1930s before striking out on his own. After running a used car dealership in Oakland, he opened an authorized Willys dealership at 2747 San Pablo Avenue, being the first tenant to lease the new showroom. Donham’s Willys dealership operated here from 1953 through 1956. After the car maker ceased production, Donham switched to selling used cars at this location and ran the Dalton & Norton Chrysler dealership in San Leandro. According to his son, Joseph Donham, Jr., Donham owned several East Bay used car dealerships while working as general manager of S&C Ford in San Francisco.

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Originally published in Feb of 2012:  This image shows a Willys Dealership in the East Bay area near Oakland, Ca.  Donham’s Willys dealership operated from 1953 through 1956.

 
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Moriarty Brothers Key Ring Pembroke, MA **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $25.

This Moriarty Brothers (Manchester, CT) Willys Jeep Key Ring a neat little piece. Some history behind that dealership.

“estate sale find : vintage 1960’s Willys Jeep Keys I was told and leather clip key chain. Back side says Willy’s- Jeep , and front side says : Moriarty Brothers inc. Manchester Connecticut. Lincoln-mercury, Meteor-comet . Phone mitchel 3-5135.”

moriarty-brothers-key-chain1 moriarty-brothers-key-chain2

 
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Vintage Dealer Photo from Galax, Virginia

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

Chris spotted this Jeep dealer photo taken in Galax, Virginia, on a Carroll County Facebook page. If you look carefully, you’ll see the round ‘Service’ Jeep sign (painted?) on the building with an extra large “P”.

There’s still a Mink Motor Sales company that sells used cars. I can’t tell if this venture is the same location as shown in in the pic below.

jeep-dealership-galax-va

 
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1947 Beaverhead Willys Motors Ad

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

This ad was featured in the Dillon Daily Tribune on May 06,1947.

1947-05-06-dillon-daily-trib-beaverhead-willys-dealer-ad

 
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Willys Jeep Sign Lawrenceville, IL eBay

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

Maury spotted this cool sign. Price is $2500, but seller is accepting offers. Looks like ti was for the Bobe’s K-W Motors dealership.

View all the information on eBay

“VINTAGE Willys Jeep Double Sided Sign . Condition is Used. One of a kind RARE keeper!!!”

willys-jeep-vincennes-sign1 willys-jeep-vincennes-sign2

 
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1955 Jeep Sales Success Stories

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

The December 1955 issue of Willys News shared their dealer success stories (you’ll have to click on the ‘continue’ button below to read them).

1955-12-willys-news-bigsales-title2

1955-12-willys-news-bigsales-title

Continue reading

 
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Business Card for Bean’s Garage in Pennsylvania

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

David Silberman forwarded this vintage jeep business card. He writes, “Here is a scan of a business card from a Willys dealer in the area. They (brothers Ike and Joe) were an associate dealer and were very good with parts and repair. They also had a Koenig backhoe on a Jeep truck, which they used to dig graves, among other uses.

We bought a 1953 Aero Ace from them in 1955, and in 1958 bought a 1947 CJ2A. The Aero cost $1,000 and we got 200,000 miles out of it. The CJ was $300. We kept it until we traded it for a new CJ5 in 1960. They went out of the Jeep business in the early 60’s. I attended the auction of the place about 8 years ago. Joe was still alive at that time.

beans-garage-business-card-pennsylvania2-lores

 
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Vintage Jeep Sign on eBay

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

Here’s another Jeep Parts Sign for sale. The pic is from a different, but similar sign. Check eBay for the actual sign.

“This is an original panel from a lighted Jeep® sign assembly. I only have the one side panel of the assembly. Measurements on this panel are: 24″ wide X 18″ high. It is used and shows signs of handling and storage from over the years.

Looking at the sign from the front side, there is a crack measuring approximately 4″ in length, emanating from the screw hole (shown in picture #3). There appears to be some glue residue or possibly material from the weatherstripping when the sign was in an assembled unit along the edges. There are some scuff marks, and the paint shows small places where it has chipped, but overall (aside from the crack), the sign is in pretty decent shape for it’s age. Pretty cool !!!!

This sign comes from the Willy’s Jeep® era (1960s’). It was in some leftover material from when the Jeep® dealer in Winter Park, FL. shut their doors in the late 1980s. Own a piece of Jeep® history today.”

View all the information on ebay

vintage-jeep-sign-electric

 
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1954 Photo of the Willys Winter Motor Co on eBay

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

Neat photo.

“You buying one black & white high quality 12” by 18” picture. This is copy of a professionally taken picture from that era. The picture will be shipped in a 13’ piece of PVC tubing to prevent damage.”

View all the information on ebay

1954-willys-motor-company

 
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Willys Overland Down Payment Program

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

This sold on eBay already, but is interesting. It is a rare 1952 Willys Overland Jeep Employees New Car Down Payment Program Coupon. It looks like it could be used for any W/O vehicle.

willys-overland-employee-down-payment copy

 

 
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1969 Vagabond Adventures #2 **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

This is Volume 1, #2 of Vagabond: Adventures in 4-Wheel Drive.

“NOS Jeep Vol #1 Issue#2 “Vagabond” Adventures In 4WD, Factory Magazine sent to customers,  5 1/2 X 8 1/2, 30 pages of articles that would appeal to a broad band of potential “JEEP” customers and sprinkled with liberal doses of Jeep product ads and tie ins.”

1969-vagabond-magazine-jeep-vol2-1