David EilersDecember 15, 2017

1945 CJ-2 Press Photo on eBay

UPDATE: S. Giraud correctly noted that this is a CJ-2 rather than a CJ-2A.

Taken before the official press demonstration July 17th & 18th, 1945.

"1945 Press Photo Postwar Jeep Unveiled to the Public by Willys-Overland Motors. This is an original press photo. This is one of the firsts photos of the Postwar Jeep, especially adapted for peacetime work, combining the four basic functions of tractor, light truck, mobile power unit and passenger conveyance. Here, the new Jeep, just unveiled to the public by Willys-Overland Motors, operates a spring tooth cultivator. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 07-10-1945."

View all the information on eBay

4 Comments

S. GiraudDecember 15, 2017 at 6:05 PM
That looks like a CJ-2 to me. No fuel tank filler cut out.
David EilersDecember 15, 2017 at 6:44 PM
And right you are. I was thinking about this being part of the introduction of the CJ-2A, but the photo itself is def of a CJ-2. I've updated the post. - Dave
Colin PeabodyDecember 15, 2017 at 6:55 PM
During the official "introduction" of the civilian Jeep done at CESOR farm(Charlie Sorenson VP of Willys) in Michigan in July, 1945, many of the Jeeps used were a combination of MBs, CJs, Agri Jeeps and a couple of CJ2As. Several of the Jeeps had experimental numbers on their bumpers and several of them looked to be combinations of Jeeps, what we might term FrankenJeeps today.
David EilersDecember 15, 2017 at 9:03 PM
As a side note, there was an official souvenir press booklet produced for that event. One was for sale on eBay, but I just missed out on it yesterday. I did get some pics of it and those will be published tomorrow.