Mark McGrady
We took the project over from a long time friend of mine he had started with his father a 1948 Willys Overland Jeep Truck. Was a good start cab and front end were painted doors and hood in primer and the long block L-134 4 cylinder engine was mounted up the the original running gear. My father in-law and me had a agreement I’d build it and they would fund it. Mike (father-in-law) loved classic trucks and cars since a young boy and was fond of old Jeeps had a brand new CJ-7 in the early 80s. Then he started his family and sold the Jeep so now was time to have something he could enjoy.
On September 11th 2001 the day the world was changed he responded to the world trade centers to do not just his job but one he was so good at. Like the times before at the first trade center bombing and the days fallowing Oklahoma City’s tragedy he went to work saving and recovering not just fellow officers but thousands of men women and children at the site for 9 months following the attacks.
Unfortunately this past October 2018 we lost our hero due to ALS that he was diagnosed with due to his exposures from the conditions at the sight. The summer of 2018 knowing his fate he pulled me aside while watching his 3 grandchildren play in the pool he loved those kids more then life… he told me promise you finish that old truck enjoy it for me with them. Sadly he never got to see it completely finished unfortunately medical costs and getting the aid he need not covered by insurance due to the circumstances took priority in his last year of life.
He loved the original look so my goal is to make it that way. We found an old add that had a yellow stake side photo he loved it so that’s what we went with with help from a new friend we found an original Willy’s Overland stake side bed preserved it had some custom white oak beams milled to be mounted to it and set it on the back of the 48 to get the look he wanted. Close to completing it now hope to have it finished for the fall going to due my best for him in his honor.
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