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Yesterday I moved my M out to the corner of the complex and flew the flag for the Holiday (I'll tell you about Sunday's activities over on the Tech side posts). At the end of daylight as I was walking up to move the M back to it's usual spot, a couple my age approached me and said <here it comes> Nice Jeep!
Instead of correcting them, I invited them to take a look inside (since the interior is painted and nearly complete) and that offered an opportunity to clear up their misconception since the man asked what year it was. I pointed out that "...this is a '54 Dodge M37, primarily Korean War and Vietnam Era, and is a bit bigger than a Jeep." They went on to say again how nice it was (even though the outside looks like it is "still in Saigon" with no fresh paint, no dents and dings yet repaired) but I finally found a diplomatic way to educate those who don't know a Jeep from a Dodge from an M4A3E8 Sherman. Felt good to have received such kind words....
Gary

LOL, THE "JEEP" MISCONCEPTION THAT HAUNTS OUR TRUCKS . MAYBE I AM REPEATING MY SELF, BUT I DO NOT REMEMBER IF I SAID THIS BEFORE. I WAS STOPPED AT THE LIGHTS BACK IN MY HOMETOWN, NO TOP, WINDSHIELD DOWN, AND THIS KID AND FATHER CROSS THE STREET IN FRONT OF ME STEARING. "WOW!!! WHAT IS THIS DAD?!!!" AND THE REPLY WAS "HOW THE HELL WOULD I KNOW SON!!!" LOL SO I GUESS "JEEP" IS A BIT BETTER OF A NICK NAME

To the uneducated and or uncaring, anything that is painted O.D. is a Jeep. I gave up on trying to fill people in because most give you a look that just says "who cares buddy I'll call it whatever I want"......

Several years ago after a 4th of July parade a man said to me "Nice Hummer" to which I replied that it was a Dodge M37, he paid no attention to me and continued to describe the truck as having a 6.2L engine, automatic trans. and other Hummer features. I tried again saying it's a 1953 Dodge 3/4 ton M37 and his reply was "Yeah, Hummers are great vehicles" I just smiled as he walked away.

All this misunderstanding means that we are members of the elite and secret society of the "M".

Wow so I'm not alone in this? I thought I was the only 3/4 ton weapons carrier owner who suffered the "I like your big jeep" moniker. The way I look at it anymore, at least they think enough of your vehicle to say something nice and not cast aspersions your way. It's funny, some people will mistake our Dodges for a jeep out of honest ignorance. Others, will continue to refer to it as a "big jeep" because they think it pisses you off-my experiance.
M.

Hi Mike,
Right now I'm more concerned that someone will vandalize mine, with all the anti-war sentiment going on. Guess I better get that truck cover back over it....

Hey, weren't you taking your "new" M on that 200-mile trip after going thru the rig? How'd that work out?
Gary

Cal_Gary wrote:Hi Mike,
Right now I'm more concerned that someone will vandalize mine, with all the anti-war sentiment going on. Guess I better get that truck cover back over it....

Hey, weren't you taking your "new" M on that 200-mile trip after going thru the rig? How'd that work out?
Gary

Sorry to hear about your predicament out in Cali. Kind of sad, really, these same people who would vandalize your rig "in the name of freedom of experession" have no clue or consideration for anyone else's property or interests.

I'm not the Mike who's taking the 200 mile trip in his M37 but I am now jelious of him . I'm still in the "tear it all apart" phase and have hit a (financial) road block. Life is kind of sucking right now .
M (Matt)

Hey Matt,
Don't stay down due to low cash flow. There is all kinds of stuff you can still do to your rig while your finances are low. Put together your parts list, plan each sub-project for your M, and take some pictures of its condition now. You'll like having the reference photos years from now once you get it back together, as it will show you where you started.

Hang in there!
Gary

Gary
Taking pictures and making parts lists is about all I can (afford to) do to the M37 right now. You're right about the pictures too. Always document everything with photos! What really sucks is spring is just around the corner (man, I hope ) and this will be the first spring in a while where I won't have an MV to drive around in and injoy the nice weather.

Matt