shot near Mt. Hood by Teddy
(first posted in 2017) As you most likely know, it’s official now: Jeep will build a pickup version of their next gen Wrangler, to be called the Scrambler (update: Gladiator, actually). We looked at the original Scrambler here the other day; frankly, it was a bit of a dud. But the original Jeep pickup wasn’t. Maybe the new one should be called the “Willys”?
Frankly, the previous Scrambler wasn’t really much of a pickup. But then that might apply to the new Scrambler too. No one can say that about this work horse,
The license plate says 1956, which may or may not be the original, but I’m guessing it is. The 1953-up 475 model had the three horizontal bars on the grille that this one does.
The old barrel in its bed is showing about the same amount of patina as the Jeep is.
It’s a 4WD model, obviously. Under the hood could either be the Hurricane F-head 134 four, or the Super Hurricane 226 inch flathead six, built by Continental.
It apparently gets towed. In its day, these were not uncommonly used as tow trucks.
Back then, these were strictly work truck; the concept of life-style truck hadn’t been invented yet. But that’s what has propelled the Jeep name to one of the most recognizable and marketable brands
in the world. No wonder there’s talk about the Chinese wanting to buy Jeep. And about Chrysler talking about how Jeep’s best days as the #1 global SUV brand are still ahead of it.
Note: a rerun of an older post.
There’s a small town in Victoria, nestled in the Wombat State Forest an hours drive from Melbourne, behind the peaceful facade of this bucolic village hid a bitter feud that threatened to destroy friendships and tear the town apart. Basically there were two sides to this argument, those who drove old series 1 and series 2 Land Rovers and those who chose the Jeep Gladiator or J20. There were plenty of heated discussions in the pub and when word got out another Toyota LandCruiser or Nissan Patrol had become stuck the race was on for the first to pull the stranded vehicle out of trouble.
This old rig looks like it’s a static display now .
Using these and other cheap basic vehicles as “draggers” to worksites was once *very* common .
I get pissed off whenever I hear “lifestyle” but that’s the truth ~ I have a basic pickup because they fit my lifestyle, did as a lad in the country and again now in the city .
-Nate
I really like the ultra rugged utilitarian design and build of this old Willys truck. Built like a mule and probably rides like one too. Although those tires are so dry rotted I can’t imagine it being towed more than a couple hundred feet before they totally disintegrate.
A magnificent find!
Interesting. I didn’t know they were planning on using the Scrambler name for the Pickup. I wonder how long that went on, and how/why it changed.
China could have Jeep right now, Stellantis owns it and PSA group has been building cars in China for over 30 years, they could build Jeeps if they could sell them, but, there al already many many Jeepish cars coming out of China they would have to upgrade Jeeps severely to compete.
Dammit Paul, you got my hopes up about a new Scrambler and then I find this post is eight years old. Thanks for nothing. 🙁
I’m sorry; this should have been updated (it is now). It slipped by us.