[Samurai]

By low bonnet Jeep, you mean the original WW-II design Jeeps that sported the Go-Devil engine? If I recall correctly, they had to change to high bonnet when they moved from Go-Devil engine to the taller Hurricane engine in 1953. These high bonnet Jeeps were called CJ3-B.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by GTO

She's going to be 20 years old this coming February & yet drives like a dream

Kudos for maintaining the Classic in this pristine a condition! I miss mine - given away 5 years back - whenever I see a pic of your Classic Wish to post an ownership report of my newly acquired Gypsy King 20 years down the line

Am taking the liberty to post a pic of my ex-flame - hope you don't mind!

[GTO]

Here's wishing my beloved Jeep a very happy 20th birthday - she became a part of my garage back in '97 . As I posted in this thread, once a car spends decades with you, she becomes a family member.

It's crazy how many memories I have with this special Jeep. She's been with me through my college days, was standing in one place for 2 years while I studied my MBA, drove me to my first days at work, carried so many girlfriends, was a part of innumerable parties, offroading sessions, highway drives (including Goa!!) & special occasions. Get this - I drove the Jeep to the first ever Team-BHP meet!

Thanks for showing me so many places that I otherwise would've never seen. Thanks for all the priceless memories. Thanks for always being there throughout my adult life (I got her on my 20th birthday). I've held the same steering when I was a young boy.....that I do now as an old man (oh well, here's to the forties ).

Sharing select pics of our companionship.

Rebuilding her in 2003 (just after my MBA):


Driving to college. She showed me the joy of open-top motoring:


Took me places I'd never seen before:


Ferdi & Milestone bringing her back to shape:


Delivery time after her rebuild. Dad said that I'd sell the Jeep within a couple of months of ownership, after seeing how hard, unrefined, cramped & bumpy it is. A rare time that he was wrong:


Exploring...


With the Team-BHP gang:


1.8L goes out, 2.5L comes in:


The 1st puncture at Metro Cinema:


Man & machine...it's a bond:


Selfie with a buddy before the word 'selfie' existed (late 90's):


One of the first Great Escapes I participated in @ Silvassa. Whenever in doubt, use '2nd low':


Just hanging out in her natural habitat:


A highway trip with Dad to Deolali. You can catch a glimpse of our Tata Indigo right behind; while Mom preferred the air-conditioned cabin of the sedan, Dad rode with me the entire way in the 4x4:


Simply put, she looks better when dirty:


My brother Nick on a monsoon 4x4 drive:


Camping:


Stop, see, point & go. Whatever the terrain, she won't let you down:


Same view of the world outside for 2 decades:


Loves mud:


Video at the same spot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjtvlqIqlnk

In Goa:


Rusted in peace while I was away studying. Wires held her together at this time:


A hit with the young & old alike:


Me & Manson trade our 'open' rides for a day...and both have a blast!


Brand new Jeep in the college days. Ex-showroom price was Rs. 3,45,903 (IIRC) in Nashik:


No table, no problem:


How she looks on her 20th birthday:

[RGK]

Originally Posted by GTO

she becomes a family member.

Very true. Wish you many more happy miles ahead. Drive safe.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by GTO

Here's wishing my beloved Jeep a very happy 20th birthday - she became a part of my garage back in '97 .

I never realized you had her since your 20's!

Happy birthday to both of you and thanks for sharing those memories.

[SandyX]

Bet both of you've put each other through the paces & here's to more such.

Happy Birthday Jeep : )

[landcruiser123]

Originally Posted by GTO

Here's wishing my beloved Jeep a very happy 20th birthday

Happy 40th to you too.

The Jeep looks wonderful and with care, she'll serve you for 20 more years. What's the total odometer reading? (All three engines put together)

The story below is special . It has to be the funniest thing I've read in the Forum. Why don't you add it to your post?

Originally Posted by GTO

Nostalgic family conversations over the weekend brought up a very smart thing I did back in 1997.

We were a family of 6 then (parents + 4 kids). Because everyone was either working or studying (except Mom, but she was very social), there was always a little front & back on who's going to take which car every morning. We had 3 cars: a '93 Premier Padmini diesel (but with over 1 lakh kms and thus, worn out), a '95 Zen and a '96 Esteem. I think the '92 118 NE was still around, although it had rust holes everywhere (we used to get that wretched car painted nearly every year). It was a goner and we knew the 137D would be soon as well.

6 people & 3 cars. Wow. A 4th car obviously had to be used by everyone, or so they thought.

I tackled Mom first - took her to the Worli showroom (IIRC, Dadajee Dhackjee??). Made her sit in the back seat and told her "see, you can use the Jeep whenever you want with the driver". Mom was easy to convince as she always listened (and still does) to me.

Then, was rebellious sister no. 2. She was studying fashion design at the NIFT. Told her what a Jeep would do to her image, and how cool she would look . A fashion designer driving a Jeep. Sold in 60 seconds!

Sister no. 1 & kid brother used the driver (one due to convenience, the other due to age).

When the Jeep came home, one spin and Mom walked off in the other direction. Too bumpy, she said. My rebellious sister did take it once or twice to her college, but the heavy steering & clutch and lack of a/c got to her.

Thus, within a week of coming home, she was all mine. My first personal car .

[Kiterunner]

Originally Posted by GTO

Here's wishing my beloved Jeep a very happy 20th birthday - she became a part of my garage back in '97 . As I posted in this thread, once a car spends decades with you, she becomes a family member.

What a Wonderful story!
Happy Birthday to you and the lovely Jeep.

Regards,
Anup

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by GTO

Here's wishing my beloved Jeep a very happy 20th birthday ...

Super Rush.. Absolutely superb!!..

It is sooo RARE and absolutely wonderful to own a lifestyle vehicle since the 90's and keep it in mint condition till date. I'm awed and in a way super envious to see how many wonderful memories you shared with the Jeep, and some ONLY because of THE Jeep. The envy comes because I could enjoy the Jeep only since the last 6 years, and the fact that I would've love one in the college.

She is a Mahindra.. Might throw some tantrums here and there, but, please..please.. Keep her for a very long time. I'm sure, when you look back after this decade, all these memories will seem much..much more colourful, and touching & driving the Jeep is the only way to relive it.

[petrolhead_neel]

Wow! What an awesome story!

I remember digging up the story of this Jeep right after I joined the forum, reason being your avatar! This Jeep definitely has a place in the heart of this forum.

And surprised to see how fabulous it looks after all this time. This one over a brand new Thar for me any day. Kudos to you for keeping it in such a neat shape. I am yet to come across a Classic this clean in person. Here's wishing you more decades of pleasure with this very special car. Do keep updating the thread, Sir.

And as you always say when you talk about this car, it's a Jeep thing!

Neel

P.S.: Totally forgot, here's wishing a very Happy Birthday to you too!

[BLACKBLADE]

For cars may come and cars may go, the GTO's Jeep goes on forever !! Happy to see the Jeep in mint condition after 20 years. First love, ain't it ? Speaks volumes about the dedication and passion that has gone in to maintaining your mean machine in top shape. Hats off to you. A love affair that bloomed in your 20s and growing strong each passing day. The story sure is a lot emotional and sentimental

Here is a birthday song for the Jeep from Freddie Mercury's Killer Queen.

".....She's a Killer Queen
Gunpowder, gelatine
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Anytime

Drop of a hat she's as willing as
Playful as a pussy cat
Then momentarily out of action
Temporarily out of gas
To absolutely drive you wild, wild..
She's all out to get you...."

Wishing countless number of happy miles ahead in your Jeep.Thank you GTO for inspiring the thousands of BHPians !

Love and Live to Drive !!

[Shivanshu]

Happy Birthday to the Jeep, and congratulations to both of you for keeping the bond intact facing the up and down of life together. God Bless you both !!

[Anuruddhs]

Happy birthday . She still looks classic and stunning and joy to own one . wish you many -2 happy miles ahead with your trusted buddy .

[vishy76]

Indeed a special vehicle but becomes even more so when you share birthdays!!

Wishing a very happy birthday to you and your Jeep. Not surprised that you have a BMW in your garage but still love this car. The simplicity of the Jeep has been a hit amongst purists for 3 decades.

Do update the thread. Would love to hear about your expeditions with the Jeep sir.

Regards,
Vishy

[sudeepg]

A very happy birthday to your Jeep. She looks lovely and your write up about the history of your times with her is splendid! Great pictures too. They completely complement the journey you had with her. Have you considered being a writer?

I wish you both many more wonderful years ahead with great miles and great memories