094: Mike Bowen’s Willys Jeeps
The first is of my son, Steven and I in 2009 in my 1962 CJ-3B with no rust and 6,800 original miles, original paint, original top, etc. This amazing “barn find” is documented in the CJ-3B sit that Jonathan in Canada (can’t remember is last name) runs. Steven was fighting brain cancer at the time. He passed away last June. Riding with him in the cold in my Jeep is a memory I’ll keep forever.
The second photo is me in 2008 during the worst phase of my Jeep addiction. I’m using an M543 Army wrecker to load Jeeps in a container to ship to my friend, John Gillis, in Manchester England.
When the jeeps were released, they automatically rolled into the container. I can’t believe I did that. Before I got the wrecker, I loaded a container with a forklift. I had two jeeps eight feet in the air one day, when the left side of the forklift began to sink into the ground. I nearly turned the thing over. One of the scariest experiences in my life was when I sold the wrecker. I drove it on a two gallon gas can with no insurance, no tags and questionable brakes through downtown Mansfield, Texas to meet the flat bed truck that was coming to pick it up. The ramp next to the building I rented to house the wrecker and jeeps was blocked that morning and I quickly found a business with a parking lot that had a retaining wall that was the same height as the flat bed truck. I had to drive the truck three miles through town to get to the retaining wall! To make matters worse, the flatbed had to park in the grass (luckily it was frozen hard). I shudder just thinking about that experience. I can’t believe I actually pulled it off.
The last photo is of my current 1966 CJ-5 with 29,000 miles. There are no dents and little rust. I’ll be ordering parts from you soon.
– Mike Bowen
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Thank you for being nice enough to share your memories and great Jeeps. The pictures are great ! Your story of the wrecker sale and loading is one of dose after the fact things. Like any other time the Police, Sheriff, and the Texas Rangers would have been coming up the rode, You would have needed two and a half gallons of gas, Ice would have kept you off the trailer, but the main thing is you made. I had no ideal two Jeeps would fit together like the two you were loading in the container. You know if you have any more like those just laying around in your way or if Mama (wife) says clean the yard up I will be glad to hold on to them for you and it wouldn’t take a container to ship them to Alabama (joking).
Once again thank you for the pictures and keeping the Jeep life line flowing.
Steven is there with you watching over you, So God Bless and Thanks again.
Thank you for being nice enough to share your memories and great Jeeps. The pictures are great ! Your story of the wrecker sale and loading is one of dose after the fact things. Like any other time the Police, Sheriff, and the Texas Rangers would have been coming up the rode, You would have needed two and a half gallons of gas, Ice would have kept you off the trailer, but the main thing is you made. I had no ideal two Jeeps would fit together like the two you were loading in the container. You know if you have any more like those just laying around in your way or if Mama (wife) says clean the yard up I will be glad to hold on to them for you and it wouldn’t take a container to ship them to Alabama (joking).
Once again thank you for the pictures and keeping the Jeep life line flowing.
Steven is there with you watching over you, So God Bless and Thanks again.
Great story Mike. I like your 1966 Yellow Jeep. I have what I think is a 1966 that I am just getting started with. No VIN plate. It has rectangular parking lights that I read about someplace a few years ago but can’t find the source now. What I read said they came from the factory that way. I am still searching. I too believe that you son Steven is watching you in that Jeep. God’s speed.
Great story Mike. I like your 1966 Yellow Jeep. I have what I think is a 1966 that I am just getting started with. No VIN plate. It has rectangular parking lights that I read about someplace a few years ago but can’t find the source now. What I read said they came from the factory that way. I am still searching. I too believe that you son Steven is watching you in that Jeep. God’s speed.