(Ooops … I meant this to appear on Sunday morning)
Tom Payne and Roger Martin both share some pics from Saturday’s Willys Jeep Rally at Heuston Woods in Ohio.
The first two are from Tom. This one is John Ittel’s CJ-3B:
And this CJ-6 has a Willys industrial powered air compressor in the back:
Roger sent these pictures. According to Rick Riley (the owner), this cool vehicle is a “1979” C-o-m-a-n-d-o (one M) manufactured in Spain. He purchased it from an ex-military gentleman who was stationed in Sicily. When his tour of duty was up in 2006, he had the Comando shipped to the Norfolk VA. The vehicle was stored and not in service from then until Rick purchased it in 2019. The engine is a four-cylinder Perkins, four-speed transmission, full floating rear differential, Model 30 closed knuckle front and 488 gears. It is similar to the U.S. version of this body style Commando which ended in 1971, but there are many large and small differences between the two versions.
These unusual hubs were on a Jeepster Commando:
What engine is that in he Commando?
I believe it was a Perkins diesel, and the Commando was from Spain.
The Commando appears to actually be a IH Traveler SUV. Here’s more information about the engine: https://www.dieselworldmag.com/features/diesel-history-retrospective-diesel-scouting-the-story-of-ihs-diesel-powered-scout/
Here’s an excerpt: IH had begun evaluating diesels for the Scout II in 1971, the goal being an export-friendly Scout for overseas markets that preferred diesels. The 1973 gas crunch put the domestic market on the table as well. Reportedly, IH test-fitted four six-cylinder diesels, the Peugeot XDP-6.90, Perkins 6-247, IH D301 and Chrysler-Nissan CN6-33 (a Chrysler-branded marine version of the SD-33). The Peugeot was rejected for fitment problems. A tight fit and poor fuel economy also nixed their own D301, which was the smallest six-cylinder IH diesel built at the time. The Perkins fit well and its 105 hp was a plus, but IH was concerned about supply issues and the engine’s relatively poor fuel economy. That left the Chrysler-Nissan CN6-33. Several more of them were installed for more extensive testing that proved very successful.
To set the record straight, the Commando is indeed a Jeep Commando and not an International Traveler. It is a “1979” C-o-m-a-n-d-o (one M) manufactured in Spain. I purchased it from an ex-military gentleman who was stationed in Sicily. When his tour of duty was up in 2006, he had the Comando shipped to the Norfolk VA. The vehicle was stored and not in service from then until I purchased it in 2019. The engine is a four-cylinder Perkins, four-speed transmission, full floating rear differential, Model 30 closed knuckle front and 488 gears. It is similar to the U.S. version of this body style Commando which ended in 1971, but there are many large and small differences between the two versions. If anyone wants to discuss the Comando in more detail, you can phone me at 513-423-8724.
Rick,
Thanks for setting me straight on this. I got mixed up with some stuff Roger sent me (my fault), so I’ll get this correct. Glad everything went well and that the weather held steady.
– Dave