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Willys. Jeep. Life.
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as if it were riding on pavement, giving off a majestic feeling of power and overcoming every obstacle that was imposed to us… something that, with our own simple car, we wouldn’t even have dreamed of. That was when it settled in my mind the idea of having a vehicle just like that someday.
It took 44 years and 19 Jeeps of different types until I could finally achieve my lifetime dream of possessing the M38A1, thanks to my personal perseverance, and the invaluable assistance of my three good friends Pedro, Mario and Juan, to whom I owe many thanks, since they helped me, both detecting the unit, and contributing with cash support to get it. Currently, I own an original M416 trailer, the addition of which I consider a completion of the pair, contributing to society a rolling, highly preserved piece of history.
After 30 years of living in the company of Jeeps, my friends nicknamed me “Sergeant Saunders” from the TV series “Combat!” ■
encouragement of these good people, I don’t know if we would have ever finished. My ’55 Willys is not a “pure” M38A1, nor is it a “True” CJ-5, but it’s a Willys just the same. Maybe it’s best to say that she’s a hybrid reflection of what I saw as the “best” of both ’55 Willys models.
Today this Jeep has begun a life of her own. She’s done up in honor of the 32nd Infantry Division (my recently deceased Uncle Tom’s old unit) and the 1st Cav – Black Horse (my brothers and late Uncle Butch’s old unit; Butch was a Vietnam “Black Horse” veteran). I use the Jeep as a parade vehicle to support my local -northern Wisconsin VFW posts and for family fun. I think it important to say that the Korean and Vietnam War vets really connect. I have met so many veterans that just “light up” when they see my Willys! Many will tell me a funny story or two; some just climb right in the front and don’t say a word; while others, tell of their sad and sullen experiences. My Uncle Bruce said it best… “Not all of them may want to get too close to it….as some memories are best recalled from a distance.” (My Uncle Bruce is another Veteran…he served with the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Combat Support Group in Thailand during the Viet Nam conflict as Chief of Flight Management and as a forward communicator between F-4 fighters and home base ground control stations in Cambodia and Laos. Thanks Bruce!)
BLOG POST ARCHIVE: 9/19/2012
7) POST ARCHIVE: 9/19/2012 [Post Title]: A Tale of Two Willys Jeeps
My name is Rich Harding and I am from Athens, WI. This is a tale of “two Jeeps” to make “one Jeep”! I salvaged “usable” parts from two Jeeps; a 1955 M38A1 and a 1955 CJ-5, rebuilt the F-134 engine, cleaned up and installed the PTO, purchased a bunch of new parts from "Kaiser Willys”, swapped and scrounged used parts at the ‘Iola, WI "Military Vehicle Show & Gun Swap”, and finally tracked down the remaining used parts from private parties all around the country. All in all it took my son Max and me over 4 years to complete. We did not do it alone… special “thanks” to the mechanical talents of Blake Thums and Dave Brost of Riverside Auto, Medford, WI, Dave and the good folks at Carquest, Medford, WI, Len & Kevin Frahm and the team at Frahm’s Autobody, Athens, WI, and US Army veteran Ken Weiler, Athens, WI! Without the knowledge, labor and
All regress in age…right in front of your eyes. They go “back in time” and it is a special thing to see a 65 – 95 year old become “18 or 20” once again (if only for a few brief moments). The Willys Jeep is a “SPECIAL VEHICLE”. Take it from me…if you’re reading this and are planning to restore a Willys…do it! It is worth every cut, scrape, and frustration. The rewards for your hard work will come in many shapes and forms.
~ Sent by Sue Schreiber - The Jeep Rich restored was my Dad’s. Years ago we would drive it to school, and it was the “coolest” vehicle in the lot. LOL. It had been in our family ever since I can remember. I’m happy to see it has been given a 2nd chance. It looks great!!! ■
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