Omix-ADA just might have stolen the show at SEMA 2016 this year, all due to the crackdown on Chinese parts counterfeiters. It’s kind of hard to get past the fact that the U.S. Marshals came in and raided Chinese companies both at SEMA and the AAPEX show after OMIX-ADA filed and emergency suit over counterfeited Jeep Wrangler parts, but the company did have pretty neat show setup just past the media center. In fact, it wasn’t the raid at all that got my attention, but the super-sano 1966 Jeep Wagoneer coupled with an early 1960s travel trailer sitting at the top of the escalator. You couldn’t miss the ivory white body and the dog dishes as you got close to it, and that wasn’t all…
Parked nearby was this 1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, in all of it’s opulent glory. It isn’t often that you get to compare the Willys/Kaiser Jeep original with the final product produced under Chrysler ownership, but seeing the trucks side-by-side you can both appreciate the upgrades while at the same time seeing just how little actually changed in the SJ’s bloodline between 1963 and the end in 1991. The question then becomes obvious: which version would you rather have? It’s really, really hard to not say the classic, because it’s basic and as simple as it got, but I think that I’d have to go for the late-model Grand Wagoneer simply for the creature comforts. It’s truly a go-anywhere luxury ute before there was even such a thing, and it’s a set of tires away from off-road greatness.
But Omix-ADA didn’t just stop at two FSJs. There was a 1947 Willys wagon (that I forgot to shoot…I’m sorry!) and a near-spotless 2001 XJ Cherokee. And there was a gentleman greeting show-goers on Tuesday:
That isn’t just “a” Gunny, that is “the” Gunny: R. Lee Ermey, known to many as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman from the 1987 movie “Full Metal Jacket”, among others, was present, signing autographs and chatting with show-goers. We’re pretty sure he didn’t have any part of the raid, but it would’ve made SEMA much more entertaining if he’d been down there ripping the companies apart, wouldn’t it?
Why…are they going to produce body or chassis parts? It would be nice. Grand Wagoneers are nice (owned an ’89), but chassis rust repair is in your future if you live on the snow belt.
What day was that raid?
I’d take the 66. Absolutely gorgeous.