This month there have been a few more interruptions than normal with eWillys because I’ve been busy, busy, busy.  Here is why ….

First off, I’ve been dating someone, throwing off my time schedule a bit, but I’m happier for it!

Second, the book is nearly ready for publication; I have decided to do one more large revision based on some comments from my Aunt.  Those should be complete by month’s end.  Below is a mockup of the book with its cover.  I think I have a book printer, but am still negotiating that.  Until that time, I will release the book electronically and will encourage as many people as possible to buy it. The reason I need to sell the book is because my financial contract is up with my previous employer.  So, my ability to continue to support eWillys is slightly endangered.  However, I won’t give up hope just yet, especially since responses to the book from women have been excellent, so I have pretty high hopes!  Also, I have made some mockups of another book that teaches people how to identify all the models of jeeps.  In addition, I now have a professional photographer that I can work with to create the shots for the new book (you might have seen her work form the San Juan Island GPW we found). I’m hoping I can put that book together over the next year, but that time frame is dependent on a variety of issues.

Third, I’ve been doing legwork on securing some art pieces created by my Great Aunt Emma Eilers about 100 years ago.  Thirty paintings popped up from a single collector in early September, so it took some effort and negotiations to come to a satisfying financial solution to get them back into the family.

Fourth, I’ve been preparing for a trip to NYC/Long Island from Sept 19th through Sept 29th to do family research, review the paintings mentioned above, and visit with a jeep collector in the area.  During my stay in Sea Cliff, LI, I will also be staying at my Aunt’s former studio which still sits on the property that was the former family estate.  So, I’ve very excited about this unusual opportunity.  I’m hoping all the family research work I’ve done over the past 10 years will result in another book, though it isn’t jeep related in the slightest.

So, the timing of updates and my response times will be uneven for a week and a half.  It’s just been that kind of September!

Below is the back cover:

My sister found this jacket at a garage sale the other day.  So, she bought it.  The Go-4-Alls are a Seattle club based originally in Midway, Washington (perhaps still based there), though there were several members of club just a mile from me in Renton (and I went to high school with three pretty members of the club).  This kid’s jacket shows playdays/conventions from 1981-1983 that I attended as well. These club jackets were very popular with clubs back in the 70s and 80s and are still seen around today if you attend PNW4WDA events.  I have large version of both pics so the details can be seen. Just click on the images.

And just for kicks, this image was taken in late 1981 during of a joint Wandering Willys and Go 4 Alls jeeping trip over the Naches Pass and Manashtash Ridge in the Cascades.  Dad’s jeep is the CJ-5 in the middle front of the picture.  I was 16 and this was the first trip where I did most of the driving during this trip.

I’m still catching up on emails, so if I haven’t responded .. that’s why.  We had some internet issues tonight.  Unfortunately, I can no longer blame the Canadians for that.

As promised, finally, below are pics of the 1942 GPW.  We were driving down a street into Friday Harbor when I felt the jeep beckon to me through the glass.  Naturally, none of the driver’s behind me minded when I stomped on the brakes and veered violently to the shoulder for an emergency stop.  In fact their salutes to me seemed quite friendly, but they seemed in a hurry cuz they only had time to wave with one finger …. there’s more to the story, but I’m tired so that’s it for now.

Note the windshield extension that allows the use of a CJ-3A top.