Complete newby to the lJ's which I have always admired...went in with a pal and bought this LJ10 which everyone has probably seen since the guy has had it for sale everywhere...Anyway, this one will be in California where I work on my cars, but I have two Samurai's in Alaska (Juneau) which I use regularly. I also have a Bantam BRC, the original jeep...and will say modestly that am somewhat of an expert on the development of the this jeep (and former president of the Austin Bantam Society).
Anyway...I was attracted to the Samurai's because they are so much like the original jeep in size, dimensions and power. What Is intriguing about the LJ's is that the 10 at least is almost EXACTLY the car specified by the Quartermasters Corps when it went out to bid for the jeep. The specifications were jointly drawn up by Harold Crist at Bantam and a QMC engineer named Bob Brown, but, the Army would not relent (maybe trying to get rid of Bantam) on the absurd weight limit of 1275 pounds for a car having the performance characteristics demanded. So, Bantam delivered a 1840 pound jeep, bbetting the Army would go for the performance which they did. However the bid specs want a 1275 pound car with a 75" wb, 16" wheels, 4x4, capable of carrying 3, able to make convoy speeds of 50mph and 30-40 hp...Sound familiar? It took 30 years and 3 wars before the LJ's came along. In any case it wouldn't have been as effective as what Bantam came up with...a Samurai with thicker metal and less civilian stuff...Anyway, I look forward to following the forum.
