... continuing where I left off earlier.....
Two weeks later, I went back and saw this.
Everything had been removed from the jeep. Other than the roll bars which he had, the rest of the stuff was gone to who ever needed it. The paint had been removed so that body panels and the bonnet could be sold off to whoever wanted it. The engine was still in the jeep and was started. It didn't sound as smooth as what I had in the Amby but it didn't sound half bad. Seemed this was going to turn into a good deal.
I don't know what made me look at that carcass again. But I did. It didn't look half bad. I wondered what it would look if it was done up. I asked myself if I even wanted a jeep. I never offroaded in my life. It's hot in Hyderabad for most parts of the year, did I want something that was fun to drive with no top? I like cars. I like the comfort. I like the safety. I love driving to music. What was I going to do with a jeep?
Told Riaz (the mech) not to break it up just yet. He looked at me like I had gone mad. I asked him to hold on to it for a little while. I came back home and TBHP'd myself into a coma. 4x4 threads, Jeep threads, Offroading threads - everything. I googled. I went through tons of jeep images. I called friends who had jeeps and told them I found an old one and was thinking of doing it up. They all told me not to waste time with a 2x4 and if I really wanted a jeep, they could put me on to some that were 'real' jeeps.
Then, I read on a thread here, I don't remember which one, a line that made my mind up for me -
'Jeeps aren't bought, they're built'.
I wanted it. I had no clue about offroading, my mind said. I could learn, I thought back. I just spent a bomb on the Amby, what am I doing plonking more money into another vehicle, that too one I had no clue about, my mind said. I didn't have to get it done in two months, I could take my own sweet time doing it up as and when I wanted to and spend that time learning more, I thought back.
I am a bit soft for old cars, this was one was 46 years old. I thought of all the jokes directed towards me and my Amby over the years by well-meaning friends and thought of how much more ammo I would be giving them if I decided to go ahead with this jeep. I liked the idea of that. While they cracked jokes I could drive over their feet. Or over their hot hatches.
Went and met Riaz the next morning on the way to work. Told him I had decided I wanted this jeep. He looked at me again like I had taken leave of my senses. 'Boss, dabba hai' he said (Boss, it's junk). 'Isme 4x4 nahi hai' (There's no 4x4). 'Chaihye toh aur acha jeep dhoondke detoon' (if you want I'll find you a nice jeep). So on and so forth till I told him that this is the one I wanted. End of story.
Paid him what was agreed upon for the engine/gearbox and whatever he paid extra for the rest of the jeep. Ended up spending 35K. What was that going to matter in a couple of years? Figured I wouldn't do much on it right away. Would make it look presentable. Would make it roadworthy. Would get used to owning and driving a jeep. Then, I would use all the information and help I could get by the legendary Jeep gurus here and turn this into a capable offroader with all the bells and whistles.
But that is for another time.
Right now am glad to say that the jeep is almost ready. Like a battered body that was about to die, it's had corrective surgery and will slowly be going through physiotherapy. I am a huge TV show addict and have decided to call the jeep Jack. This could mean his last name was Sheppard. Or Bauer. Or Reacher. Those who know those characters will know what I'm talking about.
I do not have too many pics of the work done and will post pics of the jeep once I get it back next Tuesday.
Would request the veteran jeepers here to encourage me on what to do next. It will not be in a hurry but would love to hear suggestions, tips and advise on how to turn this little 2x4 into something that would eat dirt.