Vintage Jeeps Parade Through Colombia

From: Glen Closson (glen_closson@earthlink.net)
Date: Tue Feb 07 2006 - 18:30:05 PST


http://enews.earthlink.net/article/str?guid=20060207/43e82950_3ca6_155262006
02071425896955

By CESAR GARCIA (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated Press
February 07, 2006 4:59 PM EST
BOGOTA, Colombia - Hundreds of historic Willys jeeps on Tuesday rambled
through the coffee-growing region of Colombia, a country long-enamored with
the World War II-era vehicles, to set a world record for the longest jeep
convoy.

The caravan coursed three miles through the streets of Armenia, 110 miles
west of Bogota.

"It was a great trip, and not one vehicle broke down during the trip, which
of course is no surprise," said an organizer, Juan Carlos Ospina.

An observer from Guinness World Records was brought in from Chile to measure
what drivers hoped would be a new listing. Ospina said at least 300 vehicles
participated.

Guinness officials were not available for comment.

The Andes mountains of Colombia may seem a strange place to find so many
U.S.-built Willys. But the vehicle found a loving home in this South
American country - especially its mountainous coffee-growing region - ever
since Willys began arriving from an Ohio factory in the 1950s.

Tens of thousands of the aging vehicles are reportedly still alive and
kicking in Colombia, and local company Willys of Colombia even produced new
vehicles based on one of the most storied names in four-wheel-drive history.

The vintage jeeps are collectors items in the United States and other
developed countries. But in Colombia, most of them are still workhorses,
hauling thousands of pounds of coffee beans to market each day or being used
as taxis - up to 23 passengers at a time - that traverse the country's high
mountains.

Standing next to his topless, cherry-red Willys prior to the event, Jose
Alvaro Bonilla proudly expressed an undying devotion to his 1950 American
original.

"For me, it's a great car, with much power. It's helped me in the tough
times," he said.

Indeed, the Willys was hailed for its reliability during recovery efforts
from a 1999 earthquake in Armenia that killed 1,170 people. The ubiquitous
old jeep ferried aid workers, food and medicine to remote areas.

The coffee-region's cult-like love for Willys culminates in an annual
festival that draws enthusiasts from around Colombia. The main attraction is
the "jeepado" at which crowds scream in delight as drivers compete to pilot
the most overloaded jeep the farthest - while doing a wheelie.

Regards,

Glen

Mater tua criceta fuit, et pater tuo redoluit bacarum sambucus



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