Metamet employees driving jeeps for a Garden Party

Thanks to Anita Long for these images and for introducing me to Garden Parties. I had no idea such events had taken place. It was at one of these events that her parents met.

She wrote, “As a teenager my Mum was an avid film goer and her main interest was writing to movie stars and studios for autographs. In the summer time she would attend the Sunday Pictorial Garden Parties at Morden Hall Park in Surrey to see more film stars and hopefully ‘get’ their autographs.

The staff at Metamet would drive to the Movie Stars hotels and take them to the Garden Parties. I don’t think they drove them around at the park as my photo shows them at the temporary fencing where they parked them. The jeeps were the best way to chauffeur the stars to all their scheduled meet and greets for the fans on the day. Everyone got to see them as there were definitely no open top limos in those days! The boys at Metamet must have really enjoyed those days and I thank fate for the opportunity given to my Dad. If he hadn’t met my Mum there then I wouldn’t be here now!”

Anita shared this video from Youtube. At the 40sec mark you’ll see a couple jeeps behind Bette Davis:

Here are some photos:

You can learn more about Garden Parties and see some more jeeps here:

https://alondoninheritance.com/eventsandceremonies/the-sunday-pictorial-film-garden-party/

The site includes this photo, which gives a good look at the side of the 5-in-1 Jeep. It has a little bit of a Holden Ambulance look.

Photo Credit: A London Inheritance: https://alondoninheritance.com/eventsandceremonies/the-sunday-pictorial-film-garden-party/

I didn’t know much about Jamie Farr (Klinger on the show M*A*S*H) and his connection with jeeps. Here’s an interesting story about him in Motor Authority.

https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1123867_a-life-during-wartime-jamie-farr-the-most-famous-jeep-driver-in-history

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was  $17,000.

Lots of updates.

“New almost everything, motor has 100 hours. New seats, wheels, tires, brakes, hubs. Newly repainted. Sharp looking jeep! Original: body, windshield, differentials, transfer case and more.
350 Chevy motor
400 turbo transmission
Dana 30’s front and back
Dana transfer case
Custom drivelines
Warn locking hubs
Overdrive system on original transfer case
Ruff Stuff front steering
PSE steering box
Rock Hard front bumper, custom built steel rear bumper
LED light bars
Rancho shocks
Pro Comp steel wheels, Goodyear ATS tires
7” disc brakes in front, drum in rear
4 point racing harness for driver and passenger seats
High lift jack”

Last winter I was standing in my driveway when a guy I didn’t recognize pulled up and asked if I was the guy who ran eWillys. My mind jumped to three things, was he a reader? Was he a stalker? Or was he someone angry at something posted? Before I was done thinking it through, my mouth was answering, “Yep, that’s me!”

Fortunately, he was a reader. His name was Bryce and it turned out he lived just a few houses down and owned a 1953 truck. I told him I’d like to see his truck sometime. Yesterday, ‘sometime’ finally arrived.

Bryce has owned this truck since the early 2000s after his mother spotted it for him. Recently, it’s needed some restoration, especially in the cab area. He’s redone the upholstery and switched the non-stock bench seat for more comfy bucket seats. He’s got a few things to finish up before it’s road ready again, but when that time comes, he said he’d come by and show it off. So more pics to come!