Military-Vehicles: Re: [MV] After Market Bodies for MBs

Re: [MV] After Market Bodies for MBs

Kerry (kvanderz@direct.ca)
Tue, 22 Jul 1997 11:10:23 -0700

I've got to say something here in regards to repro bodies.
I may make some purists sick but here goes anyway.

I purchased a jeep sight unseen for next to nothing and had it shipped in a
load of tropical foliage plants from South Florida to British Columbia
Canada.
When it rolled off of the truck, it was a very rusted out DJ with a Chevy
V8.
It was too far gone to save any of the panels. I saved the front fenders,
hood, and tail gate. I traded those parts for other parts that I needed.

Now, thanks to a repro body, it is the coolest little flat fender in town.
It is probably the only little flat fender in town.
I drive it daily and I can't drive it without someone stopping me and
talking jeep to me. I dont pretend that it is an original but to be honest
most folks don't care.
The truth of the matter is that there is now a 1952 jeep back on the road
and turning heads instead of rusting in a South Florida swamp.
If someone wants to restore this jeep in 50 years it will still be here
thanks to a
repro body.

I know my jeep is not an MV but the same principle applies.
These repro parts can help preserve many jeeps untill someone with the
skills and resources comes along to do it right.
Think about it...The main reason so many people choose to work on old jeeps
is the fact that most parts can still be purchased with relatively ease.

Don't get me wrong.
I would love to own an original or two but right now all my resources will
allow is a repro jeep.

Let me add that as a result of my repro jeep my three boys also have a love
for old jeeps and each want to restore an old jeep of their own some day.
Maybe they will have more resources than I had and save some originals from
the
ravages of time or maybe they will use repro parts only to help preserve
their jeeps for the next generation to restore.

It's not like these parts can't be replaced later.

What is better?
Five jeeps with repro parts or one restored original and four perfectly
good jeep chassies going to the scrap pile?
Any jeep with repro parts is one less jeep wasting away in a scrap yard.

Just my two cents worth.

Kerry,
Surrey ,
British Columbia, Canada

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