By SEMA Editors
 Omix-ADA’s ’46 Willys CJ-2A is one of six rare, historic civilian-model Jeeps from Omix-ADA’s recently expanded Jeep Collection that will be showcased at this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Photo Credit: Omix-ADA |
Omix-ADA will feature six historic Jeeps from its recently expanded vintage and historic Jeep Collection at the company’s Off-Road Success Center during the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, November 3–6. Since first debuting its Jeep Collection at the 2013 SEMA Show, Omix-ADA has gone on to acquire more than 30 historically significant Jeeps, chronicling the brand’s history from pre-WWII prototypes through the modern-day JK Wrangler.
“Our motivation for creating and expanding our Jeep Collection is to further preserve, honor and share Jeep’s incredible heritage,” said Henk Van Dongen, Omix-ADA’s director of marketing.
This desire to share and honor the Jeep heritage each year at the SEMA Show has led the company to feature themed vehicle selections from its collection as a way to showcase the wide assortment of Jeeps that are being preserved.
Following last year’s theme of civilian-oriented Jeeps from the 1940s through today, this year’s theme centers on six historic Jeeps that were considered “work vehicles,” four of which were just recently added to the company’s collection, including:
- ’46 Willys CJ-2A Farm Jeep – One of the first examples of post-war civilian-era Jeeps, the CJ-2A was marketed as the “All-Around Farm Workhorse.” With dual wheels front and rear, the CJ-2A provided exception traction in rugged farm terrain, allowing workers to bring vehicle-mounted tools anywhere needed. This particular example features a welding unit in the passenger area, a rear-mounted Newgren buzz saw with table and a side-arm mower bar on the driver’s side.
- ’47 Willys CJ-2A Fire Truck – Produced as early as 1945, a small number of these models were converted to serve as fire trucks. These small, nimble 4×4 fire trucks were perfect for fighting small fires and could go where the larger fire trucks would not fit. This example was purchased from Mark A. Smith, founder of Jeep Jamboree USA, and is one of only a few hundred originally produced by Boyer.
- ’55 Willys Pickup – This ’55 Willys 4x4 pickup was originally used by the A.W. Berryesa Company in Bridgeport, California. It is equipped with a 226-c.i. Super Hurricane six-cylinder Continental engine, T-90 transmission and four-wheel drive.
- ’59 Jeep FC-150 – One of only 1,546 examples produced in 1959. These trucks were primarily marketed as work vehicles for corporate, municipal, military, farm and civilian use. The layout features a cab over (forward control) design. This FC-150 features a hydraulic bed and a later, wider chassis.
- ’78 Jeep J-10 Pickup – A remarkably well-preserved example, this J-10 features extremely low mileage (2,440 original miles), an exclusive Levi denim interior and air conditioning—a rare option for J-10 pickups. It is equipped with a factory automatic transmission, 360 c.i. V8 engine and optional brush guard and light bar.
- ’82 Jeep CJ-7 Fire Truck – Prior to being owned by Omix-ADA, this CJ-7 was used as a brush fire truck with the Northwest Homer Fire Protection District in Texas. It was designed to battle wildfires in areas larger, heavier fire trucks could not access.
Returning for its fourth year, the Off-Road Success Center is a forum where business owners and industry enthusiasts within the Jeep and off-road market can freely exchange ideas, learn new concepts for success and network with other industry professionals.
For more information on Omix-ADA’s complete Jeep Collection, visit www.JeepCollection.com. For more information on Omix-ADA, its family of brands, or the Off-Road Success Center at the 2015 SEMA Show, visit www.Omix-ADA.com or contact Omix-ADA directly at 770-614-6101.