Yes, finally, the book will arrive! The Amber Panels of Konigisberg will go on sale next Wednesday. Since the pre-release version, I’ve reduced the number of words, made numerous corrections, changed the font, smoothed out rough patches, cut portions of the book, and added a slight twist to the ending. Even the cover has been altered.

For those wanting signed copies, it will take a few weeks for me to receive my order of books, sign them, then forward them to you (this includes the pre-release readers as well). So, stay tuned for updates.

For the launch and the ongoing sales campaign I’ve created a special website as well which I’ll share Wednesday.

Here’s the newest cover:

The Half Century of Progress Show happened this past weekend in Rantoul, IL. The show takes place every other year. Bob Christy reports there were 13 jeeps or so this year and two empire tractors.

Bob took the photo below. Here’s link to the CJ-2A Page with more photos

Kate Goelzhauser, editor for Lawn and Garden Collector Magazine, was also there. She posted a variety of pictures to her Facebook Page. You can see them all here.

UPDATE: Scott reminded me that this coming weekend is D-DAy Conneaut. Learn more at http://www.ddayohio.us

On Saturday I continued the big sonny-do project of my visit to my parents house: replacing rotten footers under the kitchen. To access them, one of my tasks was to break up some nearby concrete. After working the jack hammer for ten minutes, I remembered why I became a writer; I’m too old to be doing heavy construction. Another two hours passed before all the cement was removed. By then half my body weight had melted out through sweat; I was soaked. But, at least I was done with that step of project. Yeah!

So, how did I celebrate? By abandoning the project for the day and driving down to Tacoma to hang out at the FC Get Together.

The 2pm timing of my arrival couldn’t have worked about better, because there was still some lunch available and I was hungry after digging up half of Renton. I chowed down while enjoying the company of old friends and meeting a few new ones. After lunch, we spent a couple hours basking in perfect weather, staring at the FCs, sharing stories, and discussing the finer aspects of how the Americans consume water from western Canada, yet Canada gets the better view of Niagara Falls. We concluded we have no control over any of it, so we should just play with our jeeps.

One of the more interesting FCs was the FC-150 Blaine dragged to the event late Friday night. He purchased it up north. I think the only thing holding it together is the green moss.

The grand event of the afternoon involved moving of a heavy duty International rear axle from Blaine’s truck to Steve’s truck. Since all of us are handsome and strong bucks, you’d think we’d each grab a part of the axle and move it with manpower.  But, no, we couldn’t possible do that when we had a tool for the job: Jim’s Holmes 440 wrecker setup on his FC. So, with Jim, Blaine and Steve doing all the work and an international community of supervisors, including me, Canadian Dave, and other, providing all manner of advice, they set out to make the transfer. Here are a couple photos:

The wrecking arm getting positioned inside the back of the truck. The wrecker runs off the PTO of the T-98.

Even father inside . . .

Success!

They had to set down the axle and hand crank the big arm upward until it was high enough to drop the axle into Steve’s truck.

 Thanks again to the Mingo’s for putting on the event!

Thanks to Steve Elkins for filing this great report from the 2013 Willys America Open House last Saturday! You can see more pics at the oldwillysforum also.

The annual Willys America Open House was Saturday, July 13, 2013. Over one hundred Willys vehicles converged on the old lumber town of Cazadero nestled among the towering redwoods of the Russian River region of Sonoma County, California.

Once again, Paul Barry opened up his amazing restoration facility to Willys owners everywhere for his annual event. Willys enthusiast from all over the region, and some as far as the Eastern United States, came to the event. Well known names in the Willys World such as Harry & Jo Sheets from Indiana, and Bill Norris, who publishes the best calendars in the world, were there to enjoy a wide variety of Willys on display and to meet other enthusiasts.

Here are some folks caravanning north to the event. Just to their south the Golden Gate Bridge looms amongst a marine push.

Willys America houses the largest variety of unique Willys vehicles anywhere. There were personnel carriers, Mavericks, Sedan Deliveries, Jeepsters, Forward Control trucks, Jeeps built in Japan and the Philippines, military vehicles, ambulances, fire trucks, RR vehicles, just to name a few. There was even a 1943 Allis-Chalmers Snow Tractor powered by Willys (L4-134.)

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Joe wrote, “This was the parade entry for the Ft. Miles (DE) Historical Association, 261st Coast Artillery.  All the old war horses with military veterans aboard were well received by the thousands in attendance along the parade route.”

The Fall Midwest Willys Reunion has been changed to September 6-8th. Learn more here:

http://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/2013-fall-midwest-willys-reunion-new-dates_topic29117.html?SID=3222106z7e12beb7aze97f8ded5d77542592593

Rommel Juan, CEO of MD Juan, asked if I’d publish this press release about the company’s experience at this year’s 2013 Willys Spring Reunion.

This picture is used courtesy of the CJ-3B Page. Left to right is Bob Christy, Rommel Juan, Bob Westerman, and Keith Buckey.

Jeep body builder meets the jeep community in the USA

Nothing beats the thrill and excitement of being with people who share your passion and love for jeeps. These were the feelings of Rommel Juan, chief executive officer of MD Juan Enterprises, the Philippine-based manufacturer of replacement jeep bodies and parts as he shared lots of light moments with fellow jeep enthusiasts in a recent jeepers reunion.

For the first time, MD Juan Enterprises was recently invited to attend and make a technical presentation at the 21st Annual Spring Midwest Willys Jeep Reunion last May 17-19, 2013 at the Clarion Inn and Convention Center at Hudson, Ohio, USA.

This photo is published courtesy of the CJ-3B Page.

“This is the first time that we have attended a reunion of civilian jeep enthusiasts of this magnitude. Over 100 restored civilian jeeps were on exhibit and we were pleasantly surprised when seven of them approached us to show us their jeeps restored using our body tubs and parts. One of them, Dave, even proudly exhibited right beside our booth his vintage Willys MB jeep that was restored using an MD Juan body tub”, he says.

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This New York Car show happening in July hopes to bring in military vehicles this year.

Larry wrotes, “Our little town puts on a real nice car show, vintage, hod rods, rat rods, trucks etc. This year its a 2 day event due to the fact its the tenth year anniversary of the car show. If you go to the web site you will see the great things the sponsors do with the money. This year the Ulster County Veterans purchased a home for the vets and the funds received will be donated to them. The sponsors are great people plus JEEP dealers. The sponosors asked me to get as many military vehicles as possible for the show, as a show of gratitude for the vets and there new home.”

You can read more about this care show here.

Mark has liked jeeps ever since he was a kid. When he was 16 a local widow would let him drive her late ’57 CJ-5 to run errands. In 1992 he purchased his current jeep. He adds, “It had a lot of work accomplished but it had a lot to go, Since then, I’ve repainted, reupholstered, built and installed the outboard components (tire carrier, tow bar & jerry can rack), rebuilt the brake system, and rebuilt the engine. I don’t believe it’s perfect because learning and doing it yourself an important part of the Jeep experience. My wife & I enjoy our Jeep as a weekender. Currently it just keeps going with regular maintenance and repairs as needed. However, I have some projects (a hard top restoration) to enhance her.”

The reason Mark wrote was that last week he attended the Southern Indiana Antique & Machinery Club (aka SIAM) annual show held in Evansville, In. The show features antique farm machinery, Gas & steam engines, swap meet, flea market, food and bluegrass music. While walking through the garden tractor displays, he noticed a fabricated flat fender body on a garden tractor frame. The owner was away at the time, so he couldn’t ask about it.

Later, he came across a 1967 Tuxedo Park owned by another visitor (see attachments).

Here are a couple other photos:

Jack asked me to post this event. Email: targheejeeps@gmail.com if you have any questions about the Rendezvous.

What: A gathering of pre-1970 Jeeps for a Rendezvous. Any model, CJ’s to Deuce-and-a-halfs, civilian or military, any condition, from “Rusty to Restored”. If it was made by Jeep before 1970, we’d like to see it here! Public is welcome! No admission charge for Jeep owners or spectators!

When: Saturday, July 6, 2013, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon

Why: 1. Display your Jeep vehicle, meet other owners, share and preserve the history of Jeep vehicles
2. Optional: drive your Jeep on a self-guided ride in Targhee National Forest to see some of the less visited areas of the Targhee National Forest, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. We suggest either Cave Falls Road to Cave Falls or the Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road to Grassy Lake.

Where: Ashton City Park

How it will be organized: 1. 9:00 a.m. until Noon: Jeeps, from “Rusty to Restored”, will be displayed at the Ashton City Park. The Public is welcome to stop by and enjoy these old Jeeps!
2. Noon until dark: optional, on your own tour of forest roads.

Who: All owners of pre-1970 Jeeps, if it was made by Jeep, bring it! CJ’s to Deuce-and-a-halfs!
About Ashton, Idaho
Ashton is a small town located near the southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park. The Bechler Region of YNP, Jedediah Smith and Winegar Hole Wilderness Areas and Grand Teton National Park can be reached from Ashton via Targhee National Forest roads. Ashton services include groceries, lodging, restaurants, gas, tires, auto repair and camping for tents and r.v.’s.

The fine print: there’s no charge to join us for this event and no registration required. We are not an official club, just a group of people who enjoy old Jeeps. Your travel to and from, attendance at and participation in this event is at your own risk and your own expense.

Don’t trespass on private property. Know and obey all laws, rules and regulations. Respect the fragile nature of the forest. Travel on established roads only. We suggest you get a Forest Service Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the Caribou-Targhee National Forest from their website or office.

Dan posted some pictures of last weekend’s Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show at Half Moon Bay in California. You can see more here:

http://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/showthread.php?3882-2013-Pacific-Coast-Dream-Machines-Show-%28pictures%29

The Cadillac Jeepers will be holding their 12th Annual Jeep Blessing on May 4th. You can learn more at their website.

http://cadillacjeepers.com/jeep-blessing/

You don’t see a DJ-3A (albeit modified) show up on a t-shirt too often!  I spotted this shirt in several Moab t-shirt shops.