WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

[GI.]

Where have all the WW-2 vehicles gone at parade's lately ? everyone seem's to be going with the M-series vech. now days, at least in my neck of the wood's. I've noticed in the last few 4th of July and Veterans day parades around here you will see maybe two WW-2 vech's to 15 M-series.
I also notice this on a lot of the pic's posted here from member's around the country.
I own one of each, and I plan on taking the WW-2 GPW to the upcoming Veterans day parade here to represent those Vet's also, "not to many of them left."
I drove the M-151's during the Vietnam era and am proud to be seen in it, but their's just something about a WW-2 jeep you gotta love.
Just asking, maybe it's just me.

What are you guy's across the pond seeing at your event's ?

[1943Willysgpw]

Too bad that the U.S. is so broad. It would be nice to be able to have a bunch of MBs and GPWs show up at several parades.

[Mark Jesic]

I went to a military show in June G.I. and counted 40 WW2 jeeps, it was a big show but very enjoyable, a WW2 veteran asked for a ride in my jeep, i was honoured by his request, and his smile at the end said it all.

[Joe Gopan]

M Series Multifuels are now the "common entry level" 6 X 6, many are still in perfect condition and a lot cheaper than a CCKW. Problems start when the PM gets neglected and the owners choose to let them self destruct due to lack of maintenance skill or money, or both.

[GI.]

I think you are so right Ben, the govt. has been releasing a lot of the 6 x 6's in the last 15 to 20 years that were keep it good condition with very low miles on them and require little maint. [for now], while the WW-2 vehicles need a lot of work after many years of abuse by Bubba and a lot of people who treated them as junk and toy's.
Plus a lot of the real mech.'s are fading away fast and all that are left are the computer geek's that don't know how to fix any thing unless the computer tell's them what to do next [not everyone] but a lot, and I wonder what that bunch is going to do when the newer M-series 6 x 6's start to have mech. prob's.

[Joe Gopan]

They will dump their mechanical problems onto unsuspecting buyers. These trucks are not complicated, but there are details to them that even the truck shops are not aware of.

[Wolfman]

The world has changed a lot in the last 50 years. That is how long I have been making a living as a " mechanic ".
The vehicles we call collector items were the main work force in the beginning.
They were used, worn out and parked or salvaged.
Then the next generation came along and remembered the ( fill in the blank ) dad or grandpa used.
The ones left were pulled out of moth balls. Restored and put back into service. Somebodies collection and fun to play with.
Next generation thought this was cool and bought them. But knew little about them, other than they were cool, so they were ran, until they quit and parked again. After all, they are an antique and valuable. Until they quit.
Now the new generation is into high tech. If it don't have a computer and be able to get on Face Book to post a selfie, it ain't cool. Just something to marvel at and question how this thing could possibly have been functional ??
The 21st century mentality is, Build it. Buy it. Used it until it quits. Trash it and by another one. Don't waste much time trying to fix anything. There are not any parts anyway !!
Of course, we are still here. For now.

[GI.]

Well said Wolfman.

[Mark Jesic]

Could not agree more Wolfman, if they havent got a keyboard, or a smartphone, life seems over for them.

[Michael O.]

Where have all the WW-2 vehicles gone

They're being exported to Europe.

[rondo]

Speaking for the Idaho MVPA, it looks like many of us and others we meet prefer bigger or later vehicles because its what they had when they came in the military, or they are just too tall for a little WW2 Jeep. Many like the M37. But with all that said many of our members have WW2 vehicles, and others have several vehicles, even up to a dozen!

[Joe Gopan]

The availability of New WWII Manuals , and glossy factory photos in the hands of a new collector create visions of those never to return sugar plums.
Time has stood still for TM's and WWII photos, it has not stood still for like new WWII Jeeps.
My favorite convoy vehicle as a young GI was the M-38A1(and nearly 60 years later still is), NCO's 10 years my senior preferred the M-37 for its creature comforts, they were correct.

[twinflyer17]

Now the new generation is into high tech. If it don't have a computer and be able to get on Face Book to post a selfie, it ain't cool. Just something to marvel at and question how this thing could possibly have been functional ??
The 21st century mentality is, Build it. Buy it. Used it until it quits. Trash it and by another one. Don't waste much time trying to fix anything. There are not any parts anyway !!
Of course, we are still here. For now.

I agree and disagree, Wolfman. Some of us in the younger generation have learned to restore and maintain these ole' jeeps in order to keep them on the road. Of course when something is over my head, I don't hesitate to reach out to the old experts for advice. My passion, for example, even came solely on my own without any connection to anyone else or any other jeep. Now, we OD addicts in my age group (pre-30s) are in the minority out of everyone else our age, but several of us with the drive and passion to restore and maintain these antiques do exist. Most might be Facebook selfie taking, smart phone obsessed, high tech people, but not all of us

[sjalbert]

Sean,

We're glad to have you on board.

[twinflyer17]

Thanks, Seth. Couldn't be more glad to be on board