Jeepers

[Brian]

Wanted to find something quick near Frisco today as we only had a couple hours. Deer Creek was still closed, so we hit Peru Creek instead. Was pretty easy/clear all the way to the end. The last 100yds though before the end of the trail at the Argentine Pass hiking trail was a huge snow drift that was still waist deep. I found that out while shoveling...

Don't have a copy of photoshop or anything up here to fix the glare on the photos, but the streams were running well. We found a number of good water crossings to splash through too.

[condoor]

Nice Jeep - who makes that light bar? Do you like it? What model is it?

Peru Creek 06/08/2013

[Brian]

Wish you could see the water running on this one...

[Brian]

Stopped at Pennsylvania Mill for a snack break. Pretty cool.

[rondog]

So, you think you've seen "rare" Jeeps?

How about Rare with a capital "R"?

How about RARE in bold red letters?

I've known about these two vehicles for a few years, they're owned by a gent named Fred Laperriere who lives in Sedalia. I've talked to him about them on the phone and been invited over, but I've never made it over to see him. Today, I ran into him at Centennial airport. The B-17 Aluminum Overcast was there, and I was surprised to see lots of other WWII vehicles and weapons on display as well. And I got to meet Fred finally!

Without further adieu, may I present two of Fred's treasures.....

This is a 1949 Davis 3-wheeled prototype Jeep. Produced in 1949, only 3 were made and presented to the military for evaluation. They weren't accepted, of course, and no more were made. As far as Fred knows, all three survive, he's even met one of the other owners. But this one is the only one that's totally original, just as it was when the Army gave it back. They're only 2-wheel drive, so they're not really "Jeeps" per se, Davis intended them to be used on air bases and other bases, aircraft carriers, etc., as personnel haulers and for misc. utility use.

Check out how large the interior is! The seats fit three across, and you could easily fit 2 more guys in the back.

























Yes, it runs and Fred drives it! He drove it to the airport, and was driving it home tonight, about a 50 mile round trip. He was letting other folks drive it around at the
show.







Awesome!

[rondog]

Now, when I'd talked to Fred before on the phone, he told me he also has an "amphibious Jeep". So I was thinking the typical USMC M38 model with the snorkel, extended exhaust pipe, waterproof ignition, etc.

Umm........no.

Check this out! Looks like a mini-DUKW. These beasts were built on the Ford GP chassis, that's GP - the prototypes that came before the GPW! This has an 86" wheelbase, not the 80" wheelbase of the GPW and MB. This has 4-wheel drive, and a propeller drive! Some of these were actually used in the Normandy invasion.

I was looking forward to seeing the Davis 3-wheeler, but this just blew me away. Fred said they're very scarce and rare, last one he'd heard of sold for $170,000.





















Exhaust system.....



Capstan winch.....





Got a propeller hooked up to YOUR PTO? Didn't think so..... Steering wheel turns the rudder.





This thing is just beyond awesome. Think of the duck hunting you could do in this!

[lex137]

Rondog thanks for sharing those jeeps are awesome. A guy in the neighbor has a 53 army jeep that he's restoring and runs. Not as cool and rare as these two though!

[USAFGopherMike]

Definitely rare with a big R. I ran into one of those amphibs in Europe. A Belgian guy brought one to a reinactment.

[T-Giv]

I will be heading down to the Springs on the 22nd. Who is down for a run? I'm good with anything from CR down to Springs. Let's do it!

[blacklabel]

I went and did Pole Hill Road with a buddy today. We both got epically stuck in the mud pit and had to be tugged out. I'm going to have to spend a good part of my day tomorrow pulling skids and wheels off to clean all the mud out. Had a healthy vibration at 55+ even after rinsing it off in Loveland. I'll get pics and video up later.