To celebrate the 75th year of the Alaska Highway a group of aged adventurers from all over the US, in three groups of avant-garde characters will take on that famous highway. Not a trip full of luxuries or high speed as most thousand plus miles adventures are normally taken. This will be undertaken with vintage Jeeps, from the 40’s up to the 60’s. Done with a sense of community in a way that only Willys Jeeps can do. Everyone will come together to help the collective, whether it’s breaking down, needing a meal or just a little emotional support. In a very divisive time this group comes from all walks of life whether rich, some are poor, some are conservative, some are liberal, dog owners or cat owners. In the end the Jeeps and friendships bring us together. The group hopes to share their goodwill with other travelers as well as our Canadian brethren, especially since Canadians will be celebrating Canada’s 150th year of Confederation in 2017. Join if you can if not there will be regular trip reports on alaskaorrust.com and ewillys.com. If you would like to donate to the cause they will welcome it. If more money is raised then spent, they will donate it to a worthy jeep-related event.
Routes:
Three groups of jeeps will be heading north: one from the East Coast, led by Bill Reiss, one from the Midwest, led by Scott Gilbert, and one group from the West Coast, led by David Eilers. The three groups will merge together at Dawson’s Creek, British Columbia, Canada in late July before heading north to Alaska. The final routes should be chosen soon. The groups will be limited to about 10 per unit and will be expected to last between 3 to 4 weeks depending on the route and how the participants want to get back to their home base.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Alaska or Rust
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Do you know of anyone in the Anchorage area that does restorations on M151’s? 907-306-0000 Thank you, Steven
I would like to go on the trip I have a 1947 2a .How and where do I sign up for it , I live on Vancouver Island B.C.
Thank You Lane Worth
I’d love to be in on this and my 1948 CJ2A might even make it but don’t think the timing works, however I do have a shop in Fairbanks with a large yard space. Would love to host anybody that needs a camp site, repairs ,or just general logistics.
I’ve driven the Alcan a lot over the last 30 years, if anybody has questions feel free to call or text.
Kelly at 907-388-3233
Great way to set the pulse in the willys heart
good luck n best wishes
I agree, and I’d sign up in a heart beat! But I’m still rebuilding my 46 2A:( my grandma lived in Fairbanks for 20 years, and I spent a couple months over the years up there. That would be a trip of a lifetime, and a great way to remember all the fun I had with my grandma during those summers. You all will have to make this a regular thing, at least every couple or every 5 years, give some us a chance who won’t have a working flatty by this summer. Best of luck!
What a great idea, I just got done exclaiming to my wife. Then, more or less talking to myself, I kind of mumbled I wonder if my 1944 Willys would make it. Having owned it for only a couple of years of its extensive mechanical lifetime, quick reflection on my experience with this awesome jeep immediately put any doubts to rest. My wife did question wheather or not I would make it. Again, quick reflection on my beat up old bodily condition did leave some doubts, however, the human mind is a wonderful thing (this being a definite mind over matter situation), and I’m just thinking we gotta do this. We drove the Alcan last summer and on another occasion also, and it is still an adventure in my book. Just imagine the fun in the jeep on such an historical road and 75th anniversary to boot!!!! So many opportunities on that highway in old bypassed roadway to explore, neat old wooden bridges, still in use, and a military vehicle bone-yard left as it was since the completion of the Alcan. The first thought in my mind on the time schedule is that 15 or 20 days would be a lot more fun and realistic than 5. Just to much to see and do!! Just sayin. Anyway, Scot, more info on the trip, how do I find out about it and could you put up with an old guy in the group? My Willys is pretty much original with the exception of lock-out hubs, and a home built steel cab, with heater, I might add, that will drive you out in my experience on the daily coffee run to mac and dons supper club. What an awesome idea!!!!!
Hey folks if any of you make it to Kenai, please call me and I will set you up for a night or more. Please call me at 907-283-9475 or my cell phone 907-394-41 have a safe and fun trip. Mike Wichman 36690 short ln. Kenai AK 99611
That is so cool! My grandpa worked on the Alcan Highway. I wish I could be there. Can’t wait to follow this!
Hi All
Your trip to Alaska looks exciting and something I would love to do, here In Queensland a group of WW2 Jeeps owners are heading to Cape York on the 14th May this year. Cape York is the very top of Australia and is a must see destination for 4×4 drivers.
Cape York is the size of the UK so this’ll give you some idea of distance, for some of the Jeep owners just getting to Queensland is a 1000 k drive.
The proposal is this, I have a seat in my WW2 1942 for an active male that enjoys camping and adventure, this will just cost you your food and travel, allow about 5 weeks for the trip. I will pick you up from Brisbane airport on the 12 May, stay at my house, see what camping gear you need and get you kitted out.
15th May we head West to meet up with the rest of the Team.
In return I wold fly to Dawson Creek and fly out when we get back there, I will kit myself out with camping gear or what is needed for the trip. What we are talking here is a friendship and Jeep exchange.
You will drive on some of the best 4×4 tracks in Australia and see some of the best rain forests in the world, camp on beaches next to creeks and see some of the most impressive animals in Australia. I’d go to say you will remember this trip forever and the Guys that you meet.
I am an Australian Vietnam Vet 9RAR 68/69 and 70 years young, usually i’m happy and easy to get along with, the rest of the drivers are just a fun loving mob that love Jeeps.
Please contact me if you need any more info.
Ken Hurling OAM
kenhurling@hotmail.com
What a fantastic idea! I see a documentary in this endeavor. Please, no ‘reality show’. It does seem a little late in the year to be heading north in July. I’m sure more educated people than I have planned this out.
Good luck to all! I am looking forward to following this story.