Giveaway project

[Eagle]

The national BOD is looking ahead to another giveaway XJ for the 25th anniversary. This got me thinking again about the possibility of doing an MJ for the 20th anniversary of the Comanche, which was introduced in the autumn of 1985 as a 1986 model.

The national doesn't appear to be interested, but since NAC was not involved in building the last giveaway vehicle I thought I'd ask again if we are interested in attempting our own giveaway vehicle. If we were to tackle it, we have about a year and a quarter to find the vehicle and get it fixed up. Ideally, it should be finished or mostly finished by about this time next year so we can have pictures of the finished product, and perhaps bring it to events to show it off.

Depending on how much work we want to do, I may have a candidate for restoration but we might do better to find a nicer example as a starting point. Also, we should probably make sure the motor won't blow on the way home, as happened to the winner of last year's giveaway XJ

What do y'all think?

 

[Biovore]

I love the idea. The difficulty with something like this is the chapter is so spread out. Something being done up there in Connecticut might as well be in Alaska its so far from us Mid-atlantic guys (MD, VA, DE, southern PA, WV)
I'll help out certainly however I can, even if that's just scrounging some hard to find stock parts and shipping em up there.

Mike

 

[CheapXJ]

what about doin the 4-door comanche that we talked about way back when?

 

[Lawn Cher']

I think all the work that would go into a 4-door MJ doesn't warrant giving it away when its done. Then there is the problem of legality... what would be involved in registering/titling a frankenstein vehicle?

I'm on the fence about doing a MJ for giveaway at all... they are pretty rare, so how would everyone feel about going through all the trouble of finding one, restoring/building it, and then just giving it away? XJ's are a dime a dozen, which makes parting with one much easier. On the other hand, MJ's have that WOW factor from being less common, which might lend to more interest in the raffle... so would it get built up like the last giveaway XJ, or restored to pristine original condition, or something in between (like my '87, for those that are familiar with it.)

With regard to a location, I think somewhere convenient to the population center of interested parties would need to be determined. Although I've left the region and can't feasibly lend any direct help, I do possess a huge collection of parts and would be willing to donate in that regard. We just need a plan and a decision.

 

[FitchVA]

i'm sure you guys don't want to do down this route, but there's a nicely built mj sitting in a pocomoke, md jeep dealer's lot. i saw it on my last visit home. it's the dealership's owners rig. he said he built it to go on jeep jamboree rides. it's a nice black, 5-sp, sitting on 33's. i'm pretty sure it's got a d44 under it too. :dunno: figured i would throw that out even though i'm sure you'd like to build it rather than buy it.

 

[sidriptide]

i think an MJ build-up would be a great idea!! something "middle of the road" maybe a 3" or 4" lift (what ever a SOA gives you) good examples are hard to find but might be worth a few extra $$ to start with something in good shape.. CT is a lil north of the center of the NAC, is there somewhere in PA we could do this?? who can give up a garage space long-term?? if we scheduled a few wrench-days i would make the trip to get it done... as mark said. the MJ might spark more interest in the raffle and we could have it at NACFest and the Great American Jeep Rally to promote it as well...

mike

 

[CheapXJ]

what would be involved in registering/titling a frankenstein vehicle?

It'd be pretty damn easy to do it in PA

 

[Bob 94 XJ]

Build up a MJ and give it away? I like the sound of that. Should sell alot of tickets to that raffle. If you are looking for a place to store/work on it long term, I might be able to help out. I am in talks with a farmer to acquire a big barn that can hold six XJs. Gonna convert it to a garage. I am also willing and capable to help out in the build up of the MJ.

 

[Lawn Cher']

Eagle, I'm sending a PM with regard to possible donations for this project.