I think the title pretty much says it all.

– Dave

UPDATE:  The guys over at the earlyCJ5.com website have been working diligently to get the website back online.  They’ve updated the software, using wordpress as the new foundation (the same used here).  They have plenty of work left, but I think the results will be worth it!

(from May 8th) I’m sure some of you know that a virus/worm got into the earlyCJ5.com website and chewed up the content (that’s about the best metaphor I could come up with). In the meantime you can access earlyCJ5 regulars at http://www.universal5.com/ or follow the twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/earlycj5. I wish them the best of luck in getting that great resource back online!

To hopefully keep this from happening to eWillys, I have a daily database backup emailed to me.

UPDATE: This is the MPVA Carvan. Read more about it below.

A caravan of 50 or so old flatties (mostly military) with license plates from a variety of states was spotted heading down the new Legacy Highway (the new north/south alternative to I-15) in Utah yesterday.

A reader named George pointed me to the MPVA website to answer the questions of who, what, where and why.

From the MPVA Website, “As part of its mission to honor our country’s military vehicle history, the MVPA has decided to recreate the famous 1919 Convoy in 2009 as a 90th Anniversary celebration of the achievement and in conjunction with the nation’s President Lincoln Bicentennial celebration.

This is a Convoy of historic military vehicles – of all eras, from WWI through to current-issue military vehicles. The vehicle roster currently includes WWI “FWD” cargo trucks, through to Harley Davidson WLA motorcycles, staff cars and jeeps to later model M813 5-ton cargo trucks. ”

Learn more about this ongoing convey from the MPVA website.  The Convoy should be arriving in San Francisco on July 8th.

My kids and I were visiting my Aunt in Seattle yesterday where she owns a houseboat (in this case, defined as literally a house built on floating logs or concrete blocks with trapped air) on Lake Union in Seattle.  My son wanted to go rowing, so we climbed into a row boat and checked out some of the local scenery. We hadn’t gone more than two docks of boats when I spotted this boat named JEEP tied up to a local houseboat.  How could I resist taking a picture of it?

For those movie fans who liked Sleepless in Seattle, it is a couple houseboats to the left of this picture (it is not pictured).

The Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union is sponsoring a 2009 Woodward Dream Cruise Calender Contest, along with the Oakland Press, The Macomb Daily and Daily Tribune.  As a part of this contest, the group has developed a website where readers can vote for the cars they want to see on the new Calendar.

A reader pointed to this contest out to me via a craigslist ad.  The Ad shows a Willys Jeep and asks people to vote for the jeep.  So far, so good.  I’m into it.

I’m ready to launch a grassroots campaign.  I’ll encourage, prod and poke people to cast their votes for the jeep.  We can do it.  We can get it on the calendar.

My hopes high, I go to the actual contest.  I view the approved list of 72 vehicles.  Cool, lots of nice vehicles.

But then, I spot the jeep.  It’s listed as a 1948 M-38A1.  It’s such a classic, that it was never produced!  How can this be?  Oh the horror!  I mean, this isn’t just some kind of incorrect listing of a jeep for sale; instead, it is supposed to be a list of classic cars.

Well, I just can’t support that.  So, until the correct model gets listed, I can’t vote for it.

As a part of Jim’s effort to meet the parts needs for early jeep owners, I’m planning on building a section that highlights various smaller vendors who create useful products for jeeps.

Examples of these include:

• Jim’s Seat Covers (along with his expanding product selection as it grows)
• Rod Shaver’s MV Dataplates (http://www.mvdataplates.com/)
• Jeep Books (http://www.jeepbooksales.com/jeepbooks.html)
• Stainless Steel Parts (Brian & Troy)
• Fiberglass bodys

If anyone has any other suggestions, send them my way.

Thanks,

– Dave

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $800

“Willy’s 1952 jeep, low Hood Flat Fender Jeep.  Buick small block V8 300 cub, power steering and full roll cage”

The ad makes it sounds like a lot of parts, but the pictures don’t suggest a lot of parts.  Still, it might be worth a peek if you are nearby.

“lots of Jeep parts, Grills, radiators, wheels, transmissions, engine, manifolds, starters and more. $250.00 takes it all! 719-337-9088”

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/pts/1209549329.html

It appears the rolling chassis has been thoroughly cleaned and painted.  I can’t tell how much work is left on the body.

“Needs put together have all psrts call 352 895 2563 can deliver”

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/1203040230.html