The eWillys Bogota-Col0mbia/Butler-Pennsylvania reporting bureau has contributed another great batch of pictures from Colombia. When's the last time you were out with so many nearly stock flatties? Clearly, Colombia will have to be a must-stop location on my trip around the world. Thanks for sharing Sebastian!
Sebastian writes: I was able to put together some pictures of Willys near Bogota. As you can see, these pictures are very different from those that I shared with eWillys readers previously. Most of the Willys in Colombia are located near the coffee plantations, which is lower in elevation compared to Bogota (4500' msl vs. 7500' msl). In Bogota you don’t really see highly loaded jeeps; plus, since it is colder and rains constantly, every one has a soft top. These pictures are from a Willys ride last month. My father took my CJ-3B at the end of August for a nice ride with the “Willys Country Club” of Colombia. This is the club that we belong down there; Dad usually rides with them on his CJ-3A [editor's note: that's the pic in the upper right].
The “Willys Country Club” of Colombia is a remarkable group (established in 1995). As you can see below, their Willys are in excellent shape. Even though I have ridden with them on many occasions, my 3B is not officially one of the club jeeps since they only allow low hoods. That is the reason why my father usually takes his CJ-3A.
I am attaching a map that hopefully will help you to understand Colombia better.
Jean-Sebastian spotted this nice looking Canadian Gladiator for sale.
"Beautiful 1965 Jeep Gladiator, 350 Buick eng. Automatic trans. A real pleasure to drive, certainly turns heads wherever it goes. It is a 4x4 but never goes off road! Power steering, manual hubs, truck is always garaged and rarely even driven. Needs a few finishing touches to make it perfect but is fine the way it sits! Hate to sell it but could really use the room in my shop right now. Please email with questions and I'll try and answer them the best I can, if you would like more pictures let me know and I'll send them off. The truck has a California title at the present time. I can have the truck shipped anywhere or will work with your shipper on my end."
Sebastian has forwarded a couple great pics from Columbia. I love the colorful jeeps against the colorful buildings. Thanks!
He writes, " I received these Pictures from a very good friend. They are from a small town called “Filandia”. This is a typical picture of these kinds of towns, many Willys (especially CJ-3Bs) group in the middle of the town, next to the stores so people use them as taxis after buying groceries. As you can see they are pretty much stock even though some modifications have been done to improve performance. Keep in mind this is not a Willys ride, a car show, or anything like that; it is just s typical day in Filandia. The pictures only show a few, but you can usually see more than 20 together. Their drivers have been doing this for so many years and usually with the same vehicles. They always tell you they will never sell their Willys since they have provided a way of living for almost 50 years. Finding a Willys in Colombia is no problem, finding someone willing to sell it is a different story. Enjoy."
UPDATE: This year is the 10th anniversary of our 8-week, 2013-trip around the east coast. Up to that point, I didn't really get how the impact this simple website had made. This weekend is the 10th anniversary being given the Toledo Brick award at the Willys Reunion. Here's a throwback to that Saturday.
Today was another gorgeous, warm, sunny day here in Hudson. The day ended with an honor that caught me by surprise.
L-to-R: Bob Chrisy, Sebastian Logo-Guerrero, and Me.
Today was another gorgeous, warm, sunny day here in Hudson. More jeeps and people rolled in to make the day even better than yesterday. The most difficult thing about today was finding the time to talk with visitors looking at jeeps in the parking lot and having the time to see the presentations on the inside of the hotel. Here are a few photos of people I met:
In the end I only had a chance to attend MD Juan's presentation, which was very interesting. They discussed the challenges the company has faced trying to perfect vintage Willys bodies so that they properly fit the different models (MB/GPW/2A/3A etc).
CEO Rommel Juan noted that the company's increasing use of the jeep forums combined with access to original bodies has allowed them to tune the bodies and close in on the original specs.
R to L: Bob Christy with Rommel Juan, CEO of MD Juan, and one of his officer's whose name I don't have at the moment.
Following MD Juan's presentation, I gave my presentation. I was in the dreaded 2:00pm slot where lunch has had time to settle and naps come-a-callin. The room was warm and dark. It was the perfect environment for sleeping that I remembered from my college days.
To help people ward off the Sandman, I tried to give a short presentation that explained my passion for jeeps and eWillys. I also covered upcoming projects I hope to complete in the future. The lack of snores from the audience indicated that people enjoyed my presentation. I believe Kaiser Willys will be publishing my presentation in the future (Thanks Jonah) and I'll add that link when I get it.
After a good conversation and a stiff drink at the bar with Gerald (technically, it was Ann's drink that was stiff -- being the good husband, I volunteered to finish it for her, lol), we entered the banquet room and had some dinner.
Following dinner, Derek Redmond of the CJ-3B Page gave a humorous presentation of the CJ-3B that included a running gag about Elizabeth Taylor. His keynote was followed by door prizes and then the awards.
Liz Taylor on a CJ-2A also snuck into the presentation:
This slide shows a Pope mobile.
Following Derek's presentation, the evening wasn't over just yet. Apparently, some of the folks at the Willys Spring Reunion thought there were a few of us who were a brick shy of a full load. So, they trucked in five bricks left over from the Willys Overland Factory and handed them out. I was one of the lucky recipients of the brick award and I feel more complete already! along with the brick, I receive a unique gift of EWILLYS made from some bailing wire and piece of wood.
Present and past brick winners
The award was given to people who the reunion committee folks felt had made a difference in the world of nutty jeep lovers. I guess I finally convinced them I was nutty enough to deserve a brick.
Truthfully, I couldn't have earned this award without the dedication, support, information and corrections submitted by people all over the world. All of your help help makes my efforts possible!
Below are some additional pictures from Saturday in no particular order:
UPDATE: Sebastian wanted to clarify a few things about this GPW. He writes, "The holes, the slightly bent windshield, and the warped hood, are due to the fact that the jeep was rammed into a tree, shot at, lit on fire and blown up by Paramount Pictures. The hood is temporarily left unlocked to show how close we got it back to its original state. Whereas, for the missing lid on the rear wheel well, that's how paramount pictures had it."
"The Vehicle:
Meet Tojo, a 1944 Ford GPW. Let us tell you why Tojo is so special. Although the production of the GPW reached high numbers, today few jeeps remain in their original state. Most vehicles have been taken apart, destroyed and lost through time. It is becoming more difficult to find original parts, real matching numbers, and correctly assembled jeeps. This particular jeep is unique in that it is entirely made up of original and NOS parts.
Tojo is not your average hobby car, assembled in a garage. This GPW has gone through an intense restoration through professional mechanics, painters and critics. The entire process was handled under the supervision of a World War II veteran, who has driven the jeeps himself. Tojo, is one of a kind.
This 1944 GPW is rare in that it speaks to two types of collectors. In fact, Tojo is a World War 2 antique as well as a Paramount Pictures Hollywood movie star. The vehicle has been featured in several films including, “Hell is for Heroes”, directed by Don Siegel and starring Steve McQueen, as well as “Is Paris Burning?” (screenplay by Gore Vidal and Francis Ford Coppola).
The vehicle includes:
1. Matching numbers on: engine, body and frame. 2. All metal undercoated for maximum corrosion protection. 3. Frame-off restoration using only original and NOS parts.
Engine:
1. GPW engine Professionally rebuilt with one year warranty Using Ford parts Original Ford crankshaft Original Ford crankshaft kit, NOS Original Ford connecting rods, NOS* Original government surplus pistons, size 20 Original piston rings, size 20 Original camshaft bushings New timing chain kit New valve guides Gasket kit, NOS Engine professionally primed and painted using original color (Ford Gray) Original oil filter housing sandblasted, primed, painted (military black), with reproduction Ford Decals Thermostat housing, sandblasted, primed and painted. 2. Original Ford fuel filter encasing* Sand blasted, primed and painted. 3. Original Carter carburetor Professionally rebuilt 4. Original radiator Sand blasted, primed and painted Professionally restored 6 month warranty by radiator specialist 5. Original Air Filter Chamber with original metal air filter Sandblasted, primed, painted 6. Original engine head 7. Original fuel filter, NOS 8. Original fuel filter pump, NOS 9. Original ford intake manifold 10. Original ford exhaust manifold 11. Original distributor and NOS distributor cap 12. GPW engine bay 13. Original Ford fuel filter * 14. Original GPW water pump with 6 month warranty
Transmission and transfer case: 15. Original GPW transmission and GPW transfer case Professionally rebuilt by transmission specialist One year warranty Outer encasing primed and painted Flywheel professionally resurfaced Brand new clutch Clutch housing professionally rebuilt Worked on by a clutch and flywheel specialist 6 month warranty
Electrical 16. Original 6-volt system Professionally rebuilt generator, GPW, with 6 month warranty Professionally rebuilt starter with 1 year warranty Original GPW Coil Starter, with lifetime warranty Voltage regulator, NOS Reproduction battery, with 5 year warranty Original Ford Battery holder All original lights (majority with f stamp), NOS Original black out light Original black out light bracket Original defroster kit (6-volt) * All original gauges professionally sandblasted and restored, with one year warranty All switches are NOS and 6 volt 17. Original radio ford fileterette * with contents * 18. Original horn, NOS 19. Original MP48 antenna and base * 20. Original Crosley BC 654-A military radio with original legs and original canvas cover 21. Original TP-9 Army field phone with spare tubes 22. All new wiring harness 23. Original foot dimmer switch
Body
24. All professionally sandblasted, restored and painted with minor welding 25. All under supervision of military vehicle professional 26. Original fenders 27. Original windshield 28. Original gas tank* 29. Original gas tank straps 30 Original gas tank safety strap 31. Original grill 32. Grill welt kit 33. Original seats 34. Original spare tire holder 35. Original combat rims (x5) Will be mounted and balanced before shipping 36. Original battery stand 37. New canvas rooftop 38. Original tool box tops 39. Safety straps, NOS 40. Felt lining for gas tank and tool box 41. Undercoated for max protection 42. Original top bow bracket kit
Chassis 43. Professionally sandblasted, primed and painted 44. Undercoating added to entire chassis and parts 45. Original transmission engine and gun mount parts 46. Original bumper and bumperettes
Drivetrain 47. Original axles Professionally rebuilt, sandblasted and painted with joints by specialist 48. All four leaf springs professionally taken apart, sandblasted and repainted 49. Original steering column repaired 50. All four brakes serviced and restored by brake specialist Brake shoes, NOS Master cylinder, NOS New brake cylinders New brake lines New spring Sandblasted, primed and painted 51 Original Ford hand brake 52. Original bumpers, (rear and front) 53. Original GPW pintle hook 54. New "Original style" brake lines
Extras 56. Original shovel and axe (with original brackets) sandblasted, primed and painted. 57. Two original rifle holders * One in leather, mounted on side view mirror One professionally sandblasted, primed and painted.
58. Original med kit with contents 59. Original fire extinguisher with original bracket 60. Two original oil grease guns (one with original bracket)
61. Original spare part bag with contents * NOS, spare parts bag NOS, fan belt GPA8620 B.F. Goodrich NOS, Schrader tire valve caps (x5) NOS, Schrader tire valve cores (x5) NOS, spark plug Firestone F-40 NOS, MB GPW cotter pin kit, stock no. 42-P-5347 NOS, service lamp, tail & stop NOS, black out lamp, tail NOS, black out lamp, stop NOS, incandescent lamp NOS, roll of friction tape, federal stock no. 17-T -805 NOS, roll of wire
62. Original tool kit Decontaminating apparatus Single bit axe Tool bag Book, ORD 7 SNL G-503 Book, ORD 9 SNL G-503 Book, TM 9-803 Chain, type TS 6.00 x 16 (*original tire chains *) Cover, headlight Cover, windshield Hand crank Original jerry can USMC 1944 Fire extinguisher Form, War Dept, AGO 478 Tire pressure gauge Grease gun and adapter Hammer, 1lb ball peen Jack, screw type, 1 ½ ton First aid kit with contents Oiler, ½ pint push bottom Lubrication order Combination pliers, 6 in Wheel hub puller Tire Pump with air chuck Common hеаvy duty screwdriver General purpose shovel, D handle Tube with flexible nozzle Adjustable Wrench, auto type, 11 inch Open end Wrench, 3/8 & 7/16 Open end Wrench, ½ & 19/32 Open end Wrench, 9/16 & 11/16 Open end Wrench, 5/8 & 25/32 Open end Wrench, 3/4 & 7/8 Open end single head Wrench ¼ Plug square Wrench, 3/8 Bristol Wrench Spark plug Wrench with handle Wheel hub Wrench Lug nut Wrench Crescent Wrench, 8 inch
63. Original phone receiver * 64. Original radio * 65. Original goggles 66. Original lubrication chart holder 68. Original water bucket 69. Original bridge numbers 70. Original tire pump 71. Original gun mount bracket
Available upon request 55. Bantam trailer 66. Although historically Tojo was a GPW radio communications Jeep, a gun with gun mount are available upon request.
Client’s preferences
While some collectors prioritize original historical accuracy, others are more interested in maintaining the image created by the entertainment industry. Both are equally precious in their own unique ways.
So what will it be? The original 1944 GPW used during the Second World War? Or, will it be the 1962 Hollywood movie star once owned by Paramount Pictures?
We prioritize our customer's satisfaction. Please take a moment to choose your preferences.
1. Star and Number Color on hood/bumperettes: Blue (historically accurate) Gold (aesthetically popular) White (like in the film “Hell is for Heroes” and aesthetically popular) 2. Muffler setup: Deep mud muffler configuration (historically accurate) Standard 1941-1943 configuration (like in the film “Hell is for Heroes”) 3. Additional side view mirror Omit (historically accurate) Install (like in the film “Hell is for Heroes”) 4. Weather stripping tape Black (historically accurate) Green (aesthetically popular) 5. Decontaminating Apparatus installed on Fender Behind passenger seat Separate Also book and framed Paramount pink slip will be provided
