The day has come

mcpuck

mcpuck

Caught the Bug
Some of you have heard this before ... I grew up driving my pops 1973 CJ5. Courted my wife in it. Drove it to work when I was 17 yrs old working for Disneyland. I have pics of my grandma and her sister in it and they past away 20 yrs ago. Pics of my 23 yr old son when he was 2 yrs old laying under it with a wrench in his hand helping his papa work on it.
We have history to say the least.
When my pops retired he moved from here in California to Ohio and took the Jeep with him in hopes of restoring it someday. Unfortunately he was never able to do that restoration. A couple of years ago my now 80 yr old dad asked me if I wanted it. I always felt it should go to my brother so I asked my dad to give it to him instead. Last summer when we were visiting I loaded the Jeep on a transport to send to california for my brother. When I pulled it out of pops garage I got sick to my stomach. I knew in my heart it should be mine. As the Jeep was being loaded I watch my parents cry for my pops dream that was not realized. Since last summer my brother has been putting new parts on it, but nothing major.
On St Patty’s Day my brother had a party at this house. He told me to go drive pops Jeep around the block. My beautiful wife and I jumped in and away we went.
I instantly knew.
When we got back to my brothers the first thing I said was “I will write you a check right now for whatever you have into it”. He said, “Deal” and my wife said, “SOLD”! We now are planning a body-off restoration with a realistic goal of 2 years max to complete.
Tonight after work I went to my brothers and drove the Jeep home. I must admit it was an extremely emotional ride. Extremely Emotional.
The way I look at it, my Ruby-Connie’s grandpa come to live with us and we are giving him an extreme makeover.
My WAYALIFE brothers and sisters meet ... POPS!

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What a great story Don. Truly great. That is going to be a nice Jeep when you're done. I can't wait to see what you have in store. I will be tuned in.
 
Pops is looking good. It will have a special place with special people. Two years from now I hope I'm around to see your Pops roll in to a Suds-n-Grub and take center parking. First beer's on me. :beer:
 
definitely a great story cant wait to see how the restore comes out. Both my pops and i have 08 JKUs but my dad always tells me the stories of him and my grandpa having a blast in their cj5 i wish it was still in the family
 
That is awesome on many levels. Pops was wayalife long before any of us. And we now get to share a small part of that with you. 👍
 
That is one great story Don. I love hearing the history of that great jeep I'm subscribed ad can't wait to see that beauty built up! 👍


Ray ⛺
 
Thanks everyone. This means a lot to me.:yup: I didn’t mention, we are building it back to mostly stock condition. I want it to look like it just came off the showroom floor! :brows:
 
I didn't read the story as I have heard it, its a great one at that just don't feel like reading now, lol. I can't wait to see the work you do to it Don!

It'll be ready for the next OC SnG with a frame off right? ;)
 
Very cool story. It is great that your dad kept it for so many years and kept it in pretty good shape! I hope I can do the same for my kids! :thumb:

Look forward to seeing your progress.
 
Great story. "Pop's" is a sweet ride right now. Best of luck with the resto and am anxious to see it finished.:yup:
 
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