The five Jeeps, with the exception of the Wagon, have been restored. The Wagon is currently undergoing restoration. The large majority of parts used, or to be used, have been purchased from Kaiser Willys, with of course the exception of the J20 parts. Even though I live in Australia shipping has always been prompt and the correct parts supplied. The right hand drive factor has been an issue at times but always able to be overcome. None of these restorations would have taken place without the assistance and professionalism of the great staff at Kaiser Willys. Many, many thanks.
My love affair with Jeeps started just after 27th June 1950 when my father called at the local hospital to pick up my mother and I to take us home in his 1943 GPW Jeep. Dad had won a contract in 1946 from the Post Master-General’s Department to deliver mail to cattle grazing properties to the north of our home town, Taroom, in Central Queensland, Australia. Vehicles were very hard to get just after the war but he was fortunate to obtain a GPW. He used this Jeep from 1946 to October 1950 when he purchased the first 4-73 4WD Jeep truck offered for sale in Queensland. In November 1960 he replaced the 4-73 with a 6-226 truck and used it for many years. The Jeeps did a sterling job in appalling road conditions and the 6-226 went around the speedo three times, when traded it had travelled well over 300,000 miles.
Not only did he use the two Jeep trucks to deliver mail and supplies, Saturday to Sunday, he then used them to deliver school kids to the school in Taroom. He built a slip on canopy for the school run and just lifted it off to do the mail run. The roads in our district were really bad up until the late 1960’s and it was necessary to use a 4 wheel drive to get the jobs done. Dad was also the local fuel agent and this time being prior to bulk fuel deliveries used to deliver 44 gallon drums of fuel to the outlying cattle properties, again a 4 wheel drive was the only way to get this done. There are 6 x 44 gallon drums (full) to the ton and the poor old 6-226 was often loaded with 9 drums, used over shocking roads and conditions but never failed to complete the job.
Naturally growing up in this Jeep environment saw me develop a great bias towards the Jeep vehicle and I purchased my first one, a CJ-2A, when I was 16. I have lost count of the Jeeps I have owned and at one stage owned 14 but due to lack of space sold most of them and now I just have a 1964 FC-170, 1954 Willys Wagon, 1956 4-73 Truck, 1957 CJ-3B, 1942 MB and a 1984 J20 truck. All have been restored with the exception of the MB and Wagon which are currently undergoing full restoration. Of course not only did I have Jeeps but my two brothers also had many over the years and at the moment there are 9 Jeeps in the family.
I have nine grandchildren and it looks like the Jeep “bug” is alive and well and will survive well into the next generation. The joy that I get just driving my Jeeps and in particular with the grandkids could only be known to other Jeep owners, there is just that special “something”.
Obtaining parts was becoming a problem for me until I discovered Kaiser Willys from South Carolina, USA and suddenly repairs and restorations became a whole new ball game. In fact up until I began using Kaiser Willys my repairs and restorations were always compromised as I could never obtain exactly what I wanted or needed, but with a good supply of correct parts, prompt and timely shipping and good professional advice the condition of my Jeeps was lifted to a whole new level. Thanks Guys and Girls at Kaiser Willys my Jeeps are now indeed my pride and joy and are in such a good condition the next generation will really appreciate them as well.
My Dad is now 92, lives just across the road from me, and still enjoys joining with me to exercise which ever Jeep takes our fancy at the time and to go for a drive.
Regards
Vaughn Becker
Hi Vaughan
I am wondering if you could contact me, I was on the FB Willys Site as Nozz Nozzle.
I hope all is well and stay safe.
Kind Regards
Wayne
Hi Graham
Great story, really enjoyed it. I just printed it out to show my Dad. My Willys Wagon’s restoration is well on the way. Should look good. Also picked up a 1984 J20 in real good nick.
I too have been a Willys Jeep fanatic all my life. Funny how it gets in your blood. I am originally from the same district as Vaughn and remember those two Jeeps well, particularly the” School Bus” or “Royal Mail” one, the white 6226. I can certainly vouch for Vaughn’s facts on the Jeeps dependability and strength and his fact re the nearly 3 times “around the clock” so to speak. My father and Vaughn’s father were relatives ( through marriage) and my dad would very often quote those statistics to people in general conversation either around the dinner table or out in the stock camp, through the 60’s to those whom were interested enough to listen. This is all leading up to the fact that he had a Jeep truck as well – purchased in March 1956 , a 4-75 Willys. Had the Hurricane engine – a total toiler type of engine and never seemed to want to give up no matter what the load was. This was the year that we moved from a cattle property about 30 miles out of town to one in complete wilderness so to speak – 72 miles from Taroom, and very rough and boggy (in times of wet) roads.
This vehicle to me was the ultimate on a large station that we had moved to. It was the very first vehicle that I learnt to drive, only saw about 90% dirt roads – yes, had a few rattles here and there, was comfy to ride in compared to its only real competitor. Tough gear box (the T90) and likewise transfer case. Just loved the” Willys wine” (my words) that the two above used to give out. That intermediate cog! Jeep thing!!Mum always called it “The Jeep”. Dad called it “Old Faithfull”. They never liked abuse, but if you respected one, then it would return the same favour. I was a young fellow doing correspondence school at home there and seemed to recall that Jeep truck was hardly ever idle – except perhaps on weekends. Always on its way to an out station ladened with stock camp gear; or cutting cross country, jumping over logs, to creeks to mend flood fences after rain; or trip to town to bring back cattle fodder or just plain groceries. I remember in the 1965 and 1969 droughts, my Dad putting it through its paces, confidence of its capabilities and crossing sandy creek crossings deeply over-grown with bottle brush, approaching same at angles then onto a large expanse of sand – the old Hurricane engine slowly grinding its way foot by foot , a burst of acceleration and it would grind its way slowly up the opposite bank, as if to say – done that one, got something better? Then we’d have to cross country (no roads) to the water-holes to where the cattle were bogging themselves – thus had to be destroyed ( or shot) and then pulled from the holes (by the Jeep) so the bit of remaining water would not get infected from rotten carcasses. Back to 1956, a very wet year, and the same year that we shifted stations. Mum got a case of blood poison in the foot due to cleaning up the near century old homestead. The ground outside was near like jelly! So they( with us 2 little toddlers) set sail in the near new Willys Jeep to Taroom. Had no other choice! I am too young to remember, but my Dad always recollected that a normal 2 hour trip turned into a 6 hour one, with the Willys grinding its way through first clay and then black soil, which seemed like yard by yard, but never faulted or gave up. Then onto to the final few miles of bitumen but alas! The Dawson River “stilll” in flood! Well, its now or never, so they gave it a go. With the water high up the wheels and a distance that seemed like an eternity, “Old Faithfull” lived up to its day and reached the Taroom side (the old fellow admitting that it was running on 3 plugs) but earned his respect just the same. He never looked back and still to his passing deemed it as the best vehicle that he’d ever owned!
Graham Presho
Congrat on your Vehicles you’ll kept in and still enjoying these historical jeeps. Awesome story and good memories will always treasures of love for future to come. That is what I call real dependable transportation.
Again an awesome job well done.
Ed. Santi…