Omix-ADA & Rugged Ridge Display New Products, Jeep Heritage at SEMA
Past meets present as new products and historic Jeeps stand together proudly at SEMA
As Jeep enthusiasts, a reluctance to change has kept the Jeep one of the most versatile, functional, and recognizable vehicles on – and off – the road. But as with anything, advancements and new products come along to make life a bit easier. And that’s what Omix-ADA and Rugged Ridge had on display at SEMA.
For the JK, rear corner guards will keep tail lights in one piece while off-roading in heavily wooded areas. A new-style rear track bar keeps things aligned under various available lift kits. And when things get rough, a recovery tool rack fits over the spare tire. It has everything you need to get out of a sticky situation.
To complement the exterior styling, second-generation fender liners have been developed. Matching existing fender flares, these new liners help keep mud and debris from entering the engine compartment. Protecting your Jeep is a new line of Spartan bumpers. Direct bolt-on installation makes these a favorite among budget JK enthusiasts. And of course, you can always add the winch of your choice.
But we wouldn’t have these off-road ready vehicles if it wasn’t for the original Jeep. A large number of originals and prototypes were displayed among this latest tech. From left to right you have the 1941 Willy’s MA, a pre-production prototype and one of less than 20 existing Stateside. Changing to the more familiar shade of olive drab, we have a 1941 Ford GP, a contender against Willys and Bantam for the military’s lucrative (and now legendary) contract. Ultimately the Willy’s MB won the government’s approval. This one is shown with its flimsy, original style ragtop. Honorary mention goes to Bantam, who finalized the winning design but couldn’t keep up with production requirements.
Another honorary mention goes to the booth’s special guest: The ever-popular R. Lee “Gunny” Ermey. The former Marine drill instructor stopped by for several autograph sessions. Oorah!
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