Hidden Treasures of Los Banos
Regarding the cross-country driving tips from the Trail Head in the October '09 issue. I am from Los Banos. In fact my family has lived there for the better part of a century. I understand why it isn't a tourist destination, but I like it. I'm not going to argue that your readers should go out of their way to stop there, but I think you may be selling Panoche short. Jeepers coming from the south headed for Hollister will find the Panoche route offers a more scenic and interesting drive than Pacheco pass does. Mercy Hot Springs is a former haunt of the Hollywood elite with newly-restored cabins and hot spring baths. The Panoche Inn has cold beer and interesting owners and patrons. A left turn on Idria road will take you to New Idria, a little known, well-preserved ghost town, which is also the back entrance to the Clear Creek BLM and off-road area. Oh, and if you do stop in Los Banos, Espana's enchiladas can't be beat, Ming's offers the best Chinese food in the valley, and an El Grullense super burrito will hold its own against any taqueria out there.
Aron Whitehurst
Turlock, California
Insurance Heads-Up
I'm a very long time subscriber. I need to advise everyone to read their homeowners' policies. Being an old farmer and never paying attention to such things, we had a house fire. It was not ever supposed to happen to me. Anyway, my '49 CJ-3A was 80 percent re-rebuilt and was 90 percent burned. I was thinking it was covered, since it was in my shop. To my surprise anything licensable is not covered. AMICA Insurance was very good and covered all parts that were not installed, but not the Jeep.
One of my biggest losses was my little book that came from Jp and described the O2 sensors and what not on modern engines, and it even said, "Don't loan this book to your buddies." Thanks a million, keep up with the oldies Hazel and all the staff.
Reg Hulbert
Spokane, Washington
Keepin' Budget
Just a short note, keep up the good work on the budget builds. All the other mags apparently have the same budget constraints as our senators. It's nice to read about a guy with a budget like mine. No money falling out of any of my orifices (that I noticed).
Wes Cadwallader
Simpsonville, SC
Hi-Lift Helper
Thanks for an awesome magazine. Thanks to you I got my '00 Jeep out with a broken axle using a Hi-Lift jack like you had mentioned in "Casualties of War" (July '09). Keep up the great magazine.
Brett Bierek
Cle Elum, Washington
Camel Trophy Jeep
I'm trying to find out what model Jeep was used for the first Camel Trophy in 1980 in Transamazonica. Any information would be helpful. Oh, and the Jeep rat rod looks great.
Sam Merten
San Diego, California
As far as I can tell, it's the only year a Jeep was used. Land Rovers were used from then on out. But in 1980, it was 3 CJ-6 Jeeps.
Awesome Crap!
I haven't bothered sending any pics of my project because the magazine seemed to be pretty rock crawler/Wrangler related, so I didn't think you would be interested.
Anyway, lately seems like you've at least started going back and picking up some older stuff. With the new "rat rod" (man, I hate that term!). I thought you might care to see the direction I took.
Way before the AEV Brutes started showing up (this project, just finished, took 8 years), I decided I wanted to build a Willys version of a Model A Roadster pickup.
So, yes, I know, it's a bunch of obsolete crap (who would build a rock crawler with a flathead V-8 anyway?), but I like obsolete crap so here's a picture of what I ended up with. I did everything that didn't have a stitch in it (meaning everything but sewing the seat cover and covering the top, although I built both of those items). Hope you like it.
Chad Christopher
Tuscumbia, Alabama