Jeep Willys MB Water Fording Kit

Jeep Willys MB Water Fording Kit, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Sometimes I visit eBay to see what Jeep items folks out there are putting up for sale. This gem came up from someone in the Toledo area. It's the original artwork used for the Willys MB Water Fording Kit. Thankfully the shots were of decent quality as I was able to clean up the image and fill in the frayed edges and soiling.

An unmodified Willys MB was able to water ford about 21 inches of water before the transfer case vents and fuel pump have issues. Troops in the field were modifying their Jeep 4x4s to survive deep water in their beach landings. This included sealing the distributor and ignition system, and adding an intake snorkel and extending the exhaust system among other things. Willys-Overland engineers were tasked with coming up with a kit to distribute to the troops.

This is just one example of the many ways the Willys MB Jeep 4x4 was modified for use in the field during World War II.

Jeep MA with Santa and Troops

Ma_with_Santa, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Great Jeep historical Christmas Image from the archives. Santa Claus delivering a tree to the troops in a Willys MA "Jeep Sleigh". The honor guard and image were taken at Camp Lee, Virginia - part of the Quartermaster Replacement Center.

Image courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration Archives.

Willys Quad Capitol Steps

Willys Quad Capitol Steps, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Contrary to popular belief, the name “jeep” does not derive from “general purpose.” The name likely combined two elements. The first was the extraordinary “Eugene the Jeep” character from the Popeye comic strip. Able to do extraordinary things, and do anything. The second came from military slang for any unproven piece of military hardware, human or mechanical. In early 1941, Willys-Overland staged a press event in Washington D.C., having the Quad drive up the Capitol steps. Irving “Red” Hausmann, a test driver on the Willys development team had heard soldiers referring to the Quad as a “jeep.” Katherine Hillyer, a reporter from the Washington Daily News picked up Red’s usage of the term “jeep” and printed the headline “Jeep creeps up Capital steps” — forever fixing the name in public awareness.

1940 Jeep Willys Quad

1940 Willys Quad passenger side, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

In June 1940, with World War II on the horizon, the U.S. Army solicited bids from 135 automakers for a 1/4 ton “light reconnaissance vehicle” tailored to Army specifications. Only three companies responded – Bantam, Willys, and Ford – but, within a year’s time they collectively produced the template for the vehicle known worldwide as the “jeep.”

Willys-Overland delivered the prototype “Quad” (named for the 4WD system it featured), to the U.S. Army on Armistice Day (Veteran’s Day), November 11, 1940. The design was completed in a remarkable 75 days.

Only two prototypes were made.

Towed Jeep Normandy 1944

Towed Jeep Normandy 1944, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Jeep being towed ashore in Normandy Invasion, June 1944

A U.S. Army Jeep 4x4 (nicknamed "Dam Yankee") is towed ashore on a Normandy beach, 12 June 1944.

Note the amphibious operation breathing tube leading to the engine compartment, and the U.S. flag mounted on the windshield.

Two of the men with this vehicle appear to be African-Americans.

Wartime censors have deleted markings on the Jeep vehicle's front bumper, and an object in the right distance.

Taken by Combat Photo Unit Eight (CPU-8). Photo #: 80-G-252807

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

1973 Super Jeep Advertisement

1973 Super Jeep Advertisement, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Now we're clear that Jeep CJ-5's are girls with multiple personalities (at least multiple voices): Not a bird. Not a plane. But a new thrill under the sun - 4-wheel drive fun-mobiling. At first glance, that same familiar profile, but underneath that super-stripe stands a baby brute with the guts to go where others fear to tread. Super Jeep is all guts from the brawny suspension to the heavy-duty axle - an open-end design that can turn in just 32.9 ft. And special color treatment on the front and rear seats, the roll bar's saying "go!" and the 258 six answers "r-r-i-i-ght!"" Oversize L78 x 15 Polyglas white wall tires are included along with those black rubber lip extensions on the fenders. Plus chrome front bumper and safety rail for your more easily flustered passengers. She's available in all kinds of color combinations and lots of extra goodies. So don't just sit there, hit the trail in a gen-u-ine Super Jeep Toughest 4-letter word on wheels.

Detroit Electric Vehicle Circa 1922

Detroit Electric Vehicle Circa 1922
Originally uploaded by lee.ekstrom

This 1922 Detroit Electric Car was originally owned by socialite Mrs. Joseph Ballard of Binghamton, New York from 1922 until 1934. The $2,985 price tag is equivalent to about $38,000 today.

Mrs. Ford had an electric car just like this one - also on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. This car was on display at the 2010 North American international Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

Electric cars were extremely popular with well-to-do women who had trouble, or didn't care for, the hand-cranking that was necessary with gasoline powered cars. One of the other key selling points: wealthy woman much preferred the electric cars roomy interiors that resembled parlors or powder rooms.



The performance wasn't bad for the day - top speed of 25mph and a range of up to 60 miles. In 1900 electric cars far outsold steam and gasoline powered cars, but that all changed with the electric starters on gasoline cars. In 1916, Detroit Electric made almost 1900 cars - that dropped dramatically to 143 cars in 1922 when this vehicle was made.