75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALASKA HIGHWAY INSPIRES
VINTAGE JEEP CARAVAN, ‘ALASKA OR RUST’
— Vintage Jeep Enthusiasts to Drive the Entire Alaska Highway
in ‘Willys’ Jeeps Over Five Day, 1,500 Mile Adventure —
PASCO, WASHINGTON– February 03, 2017– This July, to celebrate its 75th anniversary, a group of travelers from across the United States and Canada will drive the entire Alaska Highway in vintage Jeeps. The trip, dubbed ‘Alaska Or Rust,’ will span five days and cover the nearly 1,500 miles between the famed highway’s start in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and the end at Fairbank, AlaskaA
The group will launch as three separate caravans: one from the East Coast, led by Bill Reiss, one from the Midwest, led by Scott Gilbert, and one from the West Coast, led by David Eilers. On their way to Dawson Creek, each caravan will make scheduled stops where additional travelers can join. Upon arrival at the highway’s entrance, the three groups will merge and convoy together throughout the whole of the Alaska Highway.
“The beauty of this trip is that it isn’t the high-speed, air-conditioned affair that’s become so common on the Alaska Highway,” said Bill Reiss, another of the trip’s organizers. “We’re driving our old, beloved Jeeps—models from the 40s, 50s and 60s—and by doing so, we’re paying homage to the rugged and beautiful story of both the Jeep brand and the Alaska Highway. It’s an adventure for us and a tribute to some incredible history.”
The ‘Alaska or Rust’ caravan has already attracted attention from sponsors like JP Magazine, a favorite periodical of vintage Jeep lovers, which will send a contributor, Traci Clark, to document the journey. Two sponsors have already joined the effort, Allied Jeeps and Overland Diesel. Additional sponsors will be announced shortly.
Fans are encouraged to join the adventure by following the group’s Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts, which will update as connectivity allows. Additionally, a daily trip recap will be posted on organizer Dave Eilers’ trade publication, eWillys.com.
To join the trip, learn more or sponsor a portion of the journey, visit www.alaskaorrust.com.
About the Alaskan Highway:
The Alaska Highway was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous United States to Alaska across Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon. Completed in 1942 at a length of nearly 1,500 miles long, the highway was opened to the public in 1948. Legendary for being a rough, challenging drive, the highway proved perfect for showing off the capabilities of early military Jeeps.
Media Contact:
David Eilers: 831-325-9616; david@alaskaorrust.com; d@ewillys.com
Pretty cool Dave.
I have a problem keeping mine running good enough for beer runs down to the corner store. Be afraid to get stranded and left behind. Eaten by the bears. But sounds like some fun.
Bob in NC
54,61,61,64 cj3b
From the Alaska or Rust webpage: “We plan to travel at 50mph max…” That’s a bit optimistic, isn’t it? I say this because of six CJ2A’s participating. My VEC has done 50mph a couple of times and its at the rev limit. Sounds like fun, I’ll be subsribing. Good luck to all for a safe journey.
I’d agree. That is a very ambitious schedule even for a new vehicle, much less 50-70 year old stuff. A friend of mine with a RV trailer said his trips, 3 now, can be as slow as 10MPH and the roads were treacherous. The rock damage to his tow vehicle and trailer were signs of some less than desirable roadways. He went thru all four ties on the trailer in one trip. That’s 1500 miles one way! You still have to get back home. I hope there are experienced travelers in each caravan to keep things moving. The idea is intriguing, but as said, I think it is very ambitious.
For me from South Florida, it would be going completely diagonally across the country. I would have more than double the miles just to get there. BTW, my friend mentioned, starts out from Key Largo Fl. It is too bad he doesn’t have a Willys.
GOD’s Speed to all involved, and travel SAFE! I look forward to the updates.
Well Dave and Ann, this may very well be the high point of your career. Congratulations for helping organize a great adventure. All of us out here in eWillys Land await the travel log. As you can already see, the arm chair quarterbacks will provide plenty of advice. These times it’s tough to get folks to stick their neck out and lead, but plenty will tell you how it should be done (Or Should Have). For me at 75, I guess I’ll stay on the sidelines and cheer you on. This sure sounds like a job for DJ3A Rusty as 2WD will be fine here. “Alaska WITH Rusty” Yeah! Yeah!
Two CJ3B’s, Seven DJ3A’s, and More Al-Toy Jeeps than should be allowed.
This sounds like a very ambitious adventure, I hope you have a Pit Crew Team following you in a modern day vehicle stocked with replacement parts. I assume you have found a sponsor with deep pockets to finance this expedition, I don’t see how else you can do it. I suppose if I were 22, idealistic, & a dreamer as I once was, this would sound like a EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, but even then, I could never afford it. It always amazes me how much PLAY MONEY people have. ( I am just a POOR BOY, though my story is seldom told) Now that I am the ripe old age of 67, I’ll be content to sit home in my second hand recliner and read of your daily adventure.
The trip sounds cool as heck, but for me its a world away. My truck does not have the ass to pull my 48, that far. “Drink one for me.
The time frame puts you in the middle of the tourist season.
December-January would make for a more sedate tour.
The Military Vehicle Preservation Association made this same trip a few year ago. As I recall they allowed more time for the trip. 40 miles per hour is the speed most convoys try for in the old flat fenders. Sound like fun Dave. Hope you and Ann have a a good trip and lots of fun. Be safe!
Thanks everyone. In regards to money, we are mostly funding this ourselves, but welcome sponsors to offset costs. We have multiple plans for rewarding sponsors with social media posts (starting now and carrying through the event). We have a very large sponsor who hasn’t quite committed yet, but is very interested. Apart from that, we have multiple sponsors who plan to make some smaller donations. We’ll also have a donation mechanism and t-shirts for sale.
The 50mph is really a max speed. We expect to have a couple modern vehicles along just in case.
I’m sad to say Ann won’t be coming on this trip. It would be too much physically for her.
We expect there will be a breakdown or two. Also, some of the jeeps have modern drive trains, so we aren’t dependent on old jeeps only.
We have been made aware of the flying rocks, fast moving trucks, slow moving motorhomes, etc. It is all part of the adventure. We’ll have tools, parts, a welder, air, etc with us, plus mechanics with an array of experience in carbs, engines, drivetrains, etc.
Yes, it is the height of the tourist season, but in this case, that’s a good thing. I figure we won’t be stranded too long if something goes wrong. Besides, our caravan will be something that adds to the experience of other tourists.
The MVPA did a slightly different version of this trip (one direction on the highway and the other direction away from the highway) and that group had quite an adventure. They had a rollover, broken springs, flat tires, and more.
Dave…..congrats on a great concept and a great adventure. Anybody who has ever planned anything bigger than a backyard picnic can hopefully appreciate and respect what a project like this involves.
My father, shortly after marrying my mother, left Iowa and extended family behind and went to the Northwest to make big $$$ working to build the Alaska Highway. I still have two large trunks in the basement filled with all sorts of stuff from that adventure including lots of black and white photos. Been meaning to go thru some of it during this cold Wisconsin winter. I just might get to it before Spring. Thanks for the motivation.
Don’t think my 71 yr. old body or “slowfun” CJ3-B would be up to the task, but I will absolutely be following and sharing with family.
Allan, how cool! If possible, I think a post about your father’s experience could make a good addition to the Alaska Or Rust site (as well as a post here). It might prove to be of interest to the museum in Dawson Creek, too. Old trunks of stuff are great 🙂
I want to do this!
Wish I could join you all. What an excellent, once in a life time opportunity. Safe passage to all who participate. Looking forward to following along and living vicariously.
I feel honored to have been selected to attend. I’m kind of ranking it up there with getting picked to go on Four Wheeler Magazine’s Ultimate Adventure. I’m looking forward to the adventure and cant wait to see what it brings.
After years of reading about all of David’s trips around the United States this one will probably go down as one of the best ones. Yes they will be some breakdowns but that is when the best in people come out and Jeepers unite.
I will be driving my 1946 CJ-2A and towing my M-416 trailer. My good friend Rob is also going. So between us we will probably have my trailer full of spare parts and tools.
Wow Dave, this sounds like a fantastic trip. I only wish I could be part of the caravan driving the ALCAN highway. Wait a minute…I’m already here in Alaska. If I just stay put everyone else will drive up to sight see and visit. How cool is that? You’ll have lots of fun under the midnight sun with adventure stories to last for years to come. That’s all……Alaska Paul
Great to hear the advice and comments from everyone. Paul, some of us will be continuing up the Dalton to Prudhoe Bay and back to Fairbanks… we’d like to have you join us if you’d like. We figure 2 days up + 2 back.
The idea for this trip came to us one night in the shop many years ago… it’s very exciting knowing that with the help of everyone involved, we are actually putting it together and making it happen. I hope everyone that can’t be with us will follow along and enjoy the trip as we broadcast our adventures
Bill @ Lime Street Carriage
I have made this trip a number of times over the last 30 years, the last time two years ago. The road is always being improved with new alignments and new pavement. Very few gravel-only sections remaining. The first trip I went thru four tires and a windshield. The last few times havent had to replace any of either. The only caution I would add regarding the road is to be aware of the Frost Heaves. Cracks in the pavement that have admitted moisture that when it freezes, expands to create a speed bump. Some are pretty bad. Too many to fix, but the bad ones generally have some warning markers that you’ll become quickly educated on. Even in summer they retain some of the speed bump effect. Ive been airborne with a fully loaded truck and have seen a number of trailers launched out of control and into destruction. If your plans keep you on the main Alcan road you’ll be fine. Sounds to me like you’ve made the necessary precautions. It would be a good idea to have extra gas as the fill-ups are sometimes far apart and have been known to run out. Make sure everyone has plenty of 95% DEET (mosquito repellant), and a headnet for the rare occasion when the bugs are bad. You’re going to have a blast and come home with hundreds of photos and life-long friends and memories.
Thanks for the advice Lew. We have worked out a group deal for some jerry cans for those that don’t have them. I’m glad to hear the roads have improved!
I’ll be going along on this trip as co-driver with Scott…it’s going to be a blast!
That sounds amazing!!!! Unfortunately life is in the way right now, but maybe I can go on the 100th anniversary!
You guys are famous: https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/02/28/to-celebrate-75th-anniversary-of-alaska-highway-group-of-jeep-owners-plan-to-drive-its-entire-length/?refer=news#comments-block