Updates Sat AM

Due to the snow along I-80 yesterday we decided to travel northward from Omaha to Washington along I-90.  I mentioned to Ann I had never seen Mt. Rushmore and she said that I have to see it.  So, this morning I will be ‘investigating’ the Rapid City, South Dakota, area for any jeeps.  I will push my investigation as far south as Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse, so dedicated I am.  Later today when we get back on the road for the remaining 14 hour drive, I will report on my success (or failure).

I had hoped to do updates tonight, but after a busy and successful day in Denver, I am wiped.  I will do updates tomorrow on the road as we head back to Nebraska.  We hope to make it to Omaha before the snow storm descends upon us.

I did want to thank James for inviting Ann and I to see his project (pictures tomorrow).  I also wanted to thank Guy for his invitation to tour the Pikes Peak International Raceway, which I will have to delay until my next visit to Colorado Springs.

Here are a couple pics from Casa Bonita, which is a fun tourist trap in Denver.  We had a great time.  The first pic is Ann and I and the second one is me doing the Mamba (strangely, I was the only adult doing the Mamba …).  We have pics of the cliff divers, but they came out a bit too dark.

No pics provided.

“1949 Willys. Ready to be restored. Have Title. $1000.00 OBO. Please call (208) 437-2780 with questions.”

http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/2664631644.html

After a couple days in Omaha, we are cruising to Colorado Springs for the weekend to visit my Ann’s friends.  The weather so far has been perfect, with beautiful blue skies.  We have only had two near misses (cars switching lanes into us — you’d think a bright red mustang would be easy to see against the endless brown fields, but, nope, some drivers just seem intent on making our drive that much more interesting).  I had my first Runza while in Omaha, which is a lot like a Russian Piroshki, but not deep fried.  It won’t be my last.

Thankfully, the mobile broadband is functioning beautifully, hence the updates this afternoon. On Monday we will be in Denver for two meetings I have, then on Tuesday we head back to Omaha.

UPDATE:  Thanks everyone!

Brian asked me if I knew when CJ-5s switched to 12 volts.  I couldn’t find the answer online, so I was hoping someone might know?  He has a 1956 that is 6 volts.

I ran out of steam tonight …

I’m pushing to finish another draft of my book tonight .. so it might be sunday before any updates are posted.

Dave contacted me today about work he is doing with the Rosie the Riveter National Park.  They would like to have a GPW as part of the exhibit.

He wrote, “We’re designing the Rosie the Riveter National Park in Richmond, CA, right next to the Ford plant that outfitted Jeeps for WWII. I’d like to include a 1940-1943 jeep in the exhibit; we could do some restore, but the really only need to have the shell/chassis…might even set it up to be in process of being outfitted (no wheels/tires, seats out, etc. Any leads on an appropriate example or someone you’d suggest contacting? Anyway to know if a vehicle came thru Richmond? Any help or suggestions helpful. Quite frankly, for our needs, it could be a repro shell as well…. not sure if they were painted in Richmond or whether there was a standard primer, etc.”

Based on his request and this link to olive drab, http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_jeeps_overseas_shipping.php, I suggested he buy a non working GPW and dress it as a crated jeep, because, according to Olive Drab, 70% of Richmond’s Jeeps went out in crates.

If anyone knows more info about GPWs at the Richmond plant or knows of a non working GPW near the Bay area who might want to donate/sell to the project, leave a comment or email me and i will hook you up with Dave.

Updates Monday …