Well for what it's worth, here are my thoughts about the documentary.
It is advertized as a "Toledo Story" kind of fitting.
It follows the Jeep from Bantam to the CJ2A and the "off road rodeos". It if
quite accurate and gives credit to Bantam and Karl Probst for creating the
first prototype. From what I understand to be true the story was quite
factual and says Bantam was the ONLY company that fulfilled all the
government requirements. However all designs were shared among all three
competitors and eventually the contract contained the best of all designs
and went to the lowest bidder. Ford was given credit for the stamped grill
and Willys for the "Go Devil" engine.
The origin of the Jeep name was stated as unknown, however it gave credit to
the Willys test driver that was driving reporters around Washington DC for
calling the vehicle a Jeep. All the "possible" origins for the Jeep name
were discussed. It high lights the abilities of the Jeep. During and after
the war through the early 50s.
Ron Szymanski, previous curator of the Jeep House Museum, and Jim Allen,
author / journalist provided some narration but most was by an off screen
narrator.
I will watch the WGTE.org web site and when the DVD comes available I will
post a link.
My only complaint is really a pet peeve I have. The narrator mispronounced
the Willys name. The only person to correctly pronounce the name was Ron
Szymanski. As a matter of clarification Jim Allen didn't mispronounce
Willys, when he referred to the vehicle he called it a Jeep. This just shows
that over the years 50+ years since Kaiser bought the company people here in
Toledo have begun to pronounce the name differently. John North Willys may
be turning over in his grave!
Check out these sound bytes from the late 40s
I will not get off my soap box.
Ric -.
Toledo, Ohio
Home of the World Famous JeepR
1948 - CJ2A L134 - #149488 - Mighty Mo
1948 - CJ2A L134 - #156174 - Ole Blue
1948 - CJ2A 225 V6 - #184134 - Willy
1950 - T3-C - #16517 Bantam Trailer.
1953 - CJ3A L134 453-GB1-18612
1963-5? - Wagoneer
1982 - M416 - Still 24 Volt
1989 - XJ - Cherokee Laredo -4.0L
2004 - Dodge Durango 4x4 w/car trailer - WRV(tm) - Willys Recovery Vehicle
Never Forget September 11, 2001
Freedom isn't free
<>
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** Constants Aren't ****
** Variables Won't ****
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From: WillysTech@... [mailto:WillysTech@...] On
Behalf Of Jim Allen
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 5:27 PM
To: WillysTech@...
Subject: Re: [WT] The story of Jeep Thursday 9/27/07 at 8:00pm Eastern Time
on PBS
I know it's scheduled to run in Cleveland this week, WBGU (also my
PBS station) was mentioned by WGTE personnel as being slated to run
it, as is the Cinci PBS. Not sure about Columbus. Worst case, you'd
have to buy it from WGTE (consider it a charitable contribution, I
guess). FYI, I volunteered my time and pics. Stay tuned, I guess,
Mighty Mo can give you a more unbiased review, but I assure you PA
Bantam fans that you got a fair shake. Ford too.
Jim Allen
On Sep 26, 2007, at 5:05 PM, boomer@wcoil. <mailto:boomer%40wcoil.com> com
wrote:
Te Schedule varies according to the PBS station. I suggest Googling
"Jeep: Steel Soldier."
Jim Allen
On Sep 26, 2007, at 11:05 AM, John Francis wrote:
So what is the schedule for us Buckeyes?
John
First off thanks to Jim Allen for his contribution to this
documentary.
TV 30 WGTE Toledo Ohio will air the program "Jeep: Steel Soldier" on
Thursday Sept, 27 at 8:00 PM.
Alas my PBS station in the Elida, OH area is WBGU in Bowling Green
OH and
a search of their web site revels no plans to air the program.
Just my luck.
Gary K.
Elida, OH
47CJ2A:48CJ2A:66CJ5:TwoYJ's:OneXJ:
