As the dust settles from the 2025 Epic Willys Adventure (EWA), we poured a fresh cup of coffee and sat down with Tom to relive the journey. After 10 days and nearly 2,000 miles behind the wheel of a 1964 Jeep FC150, Tom had no shortage of unforgettable stories. This was no ordinary road trip—it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that blended grit, adventure, and a whole lot of Jeep passion.
Take a moment to browse through the photos and enjoy the ride!
More Than Just a Race
While most motorsports are all about speed, the Epic Willys Adventure marches to the beat of a different drum. Sure, there was some “high-speed action”—like the time Tom and Nate’s trusty old Forward Control Jeep turned into a cheetah on the straights, hitting a whopping 72 mph on the highway! That highway takeover earned them extra points for the day and turned a few heads, including last year’s champ.
But the EWA is about more than just the throttle. It’s about grit, camaraderie, and exploring America the old-school way—without GPS, without smartphones—just a map, a compass, and the call of the open road.
Unforgettable Moments
From sleeping under a bridge in Toledo, Ohio, to camping inside the belly of a submarine, the adventure was packed with unexpected and unforgettable experiences. Costume day and its Le Mans-style start made for some of the best laughs and photos of the trip!
Thanks to some key parts from Kaiser Willys, Tom’s FC150 ran like a champ the entire time. His deep Jeep knowledge and obsessive preventive maintenance paid off—zero breakdowns across 10 rugged days. That’s no small feat.
The Route
The journey began in Butler, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the Jeep. From there, the group navigated nearly 2,000 miles around Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, relying only on maps and instinct. More than a week after slipping the clutch across the starting line, Tom and Nate rolled back into Butler to a warm welcome at the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. The race Jeeps remained on display for the rest of the event, drawing admiration from festival-goers and fellow Jeep lovers alike.
Already Looking Ahead
Even before the dust had fully settled, Tom and Nate were dreaming of their next adventure. With a little experience under their belts and an insatiable hunger to drive slow Jeeps fast, we have no doubt they’ll be back for more.
Thank you, Tom and Nate, for representing Kaiser Willys with pride and spirit. And hats off to the incredible EWA staff and everyone involved in keeping the passion for old Jeeps alive. Here’s to inspiring future generations to carry the torch and live the Willys Jeep lifestyle!
Until next time,
—Kaiser Willys
Willys Jeep Life Story – Tom & Nate – Learn more about them
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Hi, my name is Evaldo, I’m from Brazil.
I simply loved the impression you conveyed about this adventure and meeting with lovers of authentic Jeep Willys, which are also very popular here.
Thank you so much for the great photos and details that make us Jeep lovers dream of new opportunities to meet people who share the same dream.
God bless you!