Click on any image for a larger version.
MB 417508 "Helen". According to the little paperwork I have, this jeep came out of California in the late 1960s, went to Ajo, AZ, and ended up in Warren, AZ (near Bisbee). I've owned this jeep TWICE... Bought it "restored" in 1994 from the proverbial Little Old Lady in Bisbee, AZ who posted a Hemmings ad. Dataplates missing, CJ engine and rims, "pipe" bumper, glossy green Mexican paint job and no brakes... You get the idea. What a "deal" in 1994 for $7000 cash + trade. She was one shrewed gal and I was one desperate jeep collector wannabee... What can I say? I HAD to have a WW2 jeep. Several thousand dollars later it looked like a restored WW2 jeep. Taught myself how to drive a stick on this baby -- not too hard considering I'd already rebuilt the tranny and transfer and sorta figured things out!!! Sold it in 2004 to get a nice '44 MB project, cash and a trailer to haul a jeep... Went through serious "jeep withdrawel" and got her back -- for good -- in 2007. Although I've owned several jeeps this is the one that got me started and it has plenty of memories associated with it. The latest engine is a very close match to the (presumed) delivery date of 2/15/45. License plate is a personalized AZ Veteran plate "45 MB". Got some nice "patina" going in the form of well-rubbed grab handles and that wonderful canvas "neck cheese" that takes YEARS to collect...