David EilersSeptember 28, 2012

1961 Auto Show — A Black & Gold Willys Showcase

UPDATE: The CJ3B Page has a color picture showing the jeep vehicles painted Gold for this display along with more information about the Hong Kong show.

http://cj3b.info/Siblings/SurreyGold.html

Originally published December 25, 2009: Bruce provided me with these fascinating documents regarding the October 15-23, 1960, auto show. There are two interesting aspects to this press release:

1. Eight Jeep vehicles were to be specially painted gold with black trim and upholstery and would be displayed in a Chinese waterfront setting;
2. The vehicles were part of the advertising program of a new fall television series called "Hong Kong".

You can see a copy of the press release below:

Here's another version of the event:

Article from late 1960 that includes a reference to black and gold vehicles from the November 22, 1960, issue of the Spokesman Review.

1960-11-22-spokesman-review-new-models-black-gold

4 Comments

Craig B.September 28, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Ahhhhh, a golden FC-170 DRW! I don't get much better than that!!!
ColinSeptember 28, 2012 at 8:13 PM
Bruce- I thought you had a photo of the Oct. 15-23 1960 Chicago show. If you don't, let me know and I will send you one. I figured you had a photo of it, since I got these same documents from you a few years ago and the picture kinda goes along with them. I think I sent a copy of the photo I have to Derek for the 3Bpage article that Dave refers to above.
ColinSeptember 28, 2012 at 8:15 PM
Craig- I guess you made it back to Defiance OK. Hope you didn't have any trouble--on the road or at work. Gotta keep the General happy! Good seeing you again!
BruceSeptember 28, 2012 at 9:57 PM
Dave, thanks for the heads up. Colin, I do have that. The auto show docs Dave posted were sent to him several months ago and at that time I dont think the photo had been located yet.