30 | #7 | ISSUE ONE 2016 FAMOUS ‘JEEPERS’ Since the first ever Jeep ® vehicle was assembled in 1941, these versatile vehicles have found their way into the lives of some of the most renowned writers, performers, sportspeople and politicians in history. From those embryonic years as the flat-packed vehicular heroes of World War II, through to the 21st-century trends for custom parts and ‘Moparisation’, a Jeep remains a sturdy and stylish sidekick. RONALD REAGAN (1911-2004) It’s no secret that Ronald Reagan was the proud owner of a blue 1983 Scrambler. This CJ-8 was a surprise from Nancy Reagan while her husband was in office, and provided quite a transport service for the former President. It was host to Secret Service agents and visiting dignitaries such as Mikhail Gorbachev. It packs a 4.2-litre six-cylinder engine, with spotlessly maintained Renegade-package dual-blue decals, doors and upholstery. Alongside his sky-blue gift, he was also the owner of a postbox-red 1962 Jeep CJ-6. It was bought to assist in manual duties on his ranch, including hauling tree cuttings. This loyal workhorse assisted him in his retirement days on the ranch, which were far removed from the jet-setting lifestyle of being arguably the most powerful person in the world. The public can now view the CJ-8 at the Reagan Ranch Centre in Santa Barbara. The CJ-6, however, still remains at the family ranch. J.D. SALINGER (1919-2010) The famous creator of listless protagonist Holden Caulfield in his classic novel The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger first took to the wheel of a Jeep during his time in the US Army. Salinger was part of the 4th Counter Intelligence Corps (C.I.C.) detachment that landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. His writing took a different colour after his role in World War II, which is particularly evident in his darker short stories such as A Perfect Day for Bananafish. Anecdotally, there are tales of Salinger hauling a portable typewriter around in the back of his army Jeep, so he could work on his stories during the war. There is no pictorial evidence of Salinger’s own personal Jeep, but he was rumoured to have kept his old military vehicle, which he allegedly drove around with breakneck agility. MARILYN MONROE (1926-1962) In February 1954, Marilyn Monroe touched down in Korea to perform in ten of the legendary USO variety shows, which were put on to entertain US troops, in the space of four days. She famously took this detour on her honeymoon, travelling alone from Japan in order to perform to more than 100,000 US soldiers. In the absence of a limousine, Marilyn’s transport throughout this trip was often military Jeep and helicopter. Many pictures GAME THE From the beaches of Normandy to the streets of modern-day Beverley Hills, you may be surprised by the variety of famous names that are or were Jeep ® enthusiasts. Ciara Jack considers just a few…