At a vintage car show at Prospect Heights this evening amongst the Chevy’s, Fords, Oldsmobile’s and other American iron was this wartime utility vehicle. Willy’s 1/4 ton general purpose or ‘Jeep’. In olive drab green and all accessories to see you through the European theater it looked like a fun ride.
A Swiss Army vehicle ready for anything. Indeed it is considered as the first SUV.
And they were indeed, the FIRST.!
Others had tried, mostly with trucks [Deuce and a half..], but the Jeep was the first true working car-sized 4WD.. and so clearly the basis for the very first Land Rover. Magic metal. But..[there’s always a BUT..] the gas mileage of the Jeep is wicked. ,Like old warbirds.. the Military just fill-em-up.. you and I however, in private hands have to deal with 12-16 mpg [Imp’ gall’s, don’t know what it translates to in US gall’s tho’..?]
Weather still balmy. still glorious. no idea what is going on or even why, but I’m not going to complain. I’ve wanted to go and live in mid-west France for years. A body gets soooo tired of the eternal cool, wet and general damp here, and I think I’ve paid my dues to HMRC etc.
The UK as YOU well know is both green and generally gorgeous.. [another BUT..] BUT, so is central France.. just like home. Fields, crops, hedgerows, trees.. everything you/we would recognise, houses a fraction of the mental money asked in the UK..glorious.!
Oh yes.. and did I mention.. regular SUNSHINE.!! Lots of it. just short of that received int’ south of France.
My preferred area is the Dordogne [Limoge-ish] across to Bordeaux and up the coast to La Rochelle.. especially between the towns of Cognac [where the spirit is produced] and Angouleme [where the vintage car races are held.. Circuits des Ramparts.. mega,!!]
Sadly, after 2 divorces..[bugger eh.!] there is noooo money left for foreign excursions.. or moving abroad. But I would in a heartbeat.! So Carlisle it is then and will ever be thus.. apparently.?
Bugger again.
Last thoughts.. did you watch the Mille Miglia filum I sent you.? Do let me know what you thought.. I so enjoy Harris as a tester, and I just loved the 2 boys out a prank. So Top Gear but without the “tacky” cast.! Yeuuuuugh..
Regards ever
B x
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