Expedicion de las Americas Jeep CJ-7 Resto Episode 1 - Meet Edla

In 1978, Mark A. Smith and a team from Jeepers Jamboree embarked on the longest overland expedition to date, a full crossing of the Americas from Tierra del Fuego to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. This included the Darien Gap, the nearly impenetrable jungle between Colombia and Panama. Edla (short for Expedicion de las Americas) is one of the five Jeep CJ-7s that completed the trip.
We recently acquired Edla from the original family, and will be performing a bumper-to-bumper restoration. We won’t be tampering with the beautiful rust, dents, and patina…our goal is to make her mechanically new while preserving her heritage. We hope you can come along for the ride-and don’t forget to hit the “subscribe” button to receive updates.

[@terrywilliams437]

I'm so glad you're taking us along for the ride...cj jeeps are my favorites...thanks for sharing

[@Gone_Gpn]

Thanks for the input, Terry, glad you are joining us on this one.

[@ms52499]

What a cool old Jeep with such a history

[@Gone_Gpn]

Thanks, Pipes. We think it's cool too.

[@timking2194]

Great video

[@Gone_Gpn]

Thanks much, Tim.

[@michaelsype4661]

Looking forward to following along !

[@Gone_Gpn]

Thanks, Mike

[@andygullion5182]

You are doing it just right- preserving the vehicle just like it needs to be done. Glad it’s in good hands. That’s a treasure.

[@Gone_Gpn]

Hey Andy, thanks for the good words. We are really excited about this one!

[@LAG3]

Beautiful. The Jeeps from this adventure are my Holy Grail. Can't wait.

[@zjorvis95]

I'm so excited to be able to see this! Hopefully one day I will be able to see one of the expedition CJs in person! Thank you for the effort and time you are putting into this Jeep. I'm not sure everyone realizes how special these CJs are! Keep up the good work on the channel!

[@Gone_Gpn]

Hi ZJ Orvis, Collard here. Thanks for the good words. I'm pretty darn jazzed to own it. Edla will be at Cantina for the Con July 4 weekend if you are near Northern California. C-

[@user-lu9ey2ce8j]

I just found this. I knew Mike and Kenny Arnold - ran track with Kenny and double dated. WOW! I've owned 11 jeeps - 8 soft tops - I have a 2017 with 24,000 miles on it .. I love jeeps. WOW!

[@Gone_Gpn]

Hi Ron, Chris Collard here. Thanks for the feedback. What great history you have with the Arnolds. I'm super honored to be the new conservator for Edla's next chapter. Cheers, C-

[@user-lu9ey2ce8j]

@@Gone_Gpn Thanks for replying - how do i get a copy of Kevin's book?
Is he Mike's son?
All the best. Tex

[@danh4766]

Looking forward to following this rebuild. Old school is the best school.

[@Gone_Gpn]

Thanks, Dan we are too!

[@rickcooper6817]

Look forward to seeing Edla get some much needed love and affection. Thanks for the videos!!

[@Gone_Gpn]

Thanks for the good words, she is definitely going to get some overdue love and affection.

[@TheDakdoc]

Love this.

[@Gone_Gpn]

Thanks, Jon. C-

[@bruceklassen8261]

I’m looking forward to watching this build

[@Gone_Gpn]

Thanks, Bruce, Chris' plan is to take it all the way down the frame eventually.

[@nealesmith1873]

Amazing!

[@Gone_Gpn]

Agreed, thanks

[@LuaiADV]

Clearly going to be a quality show! Excited for it Chris. Congrats on the historically significant Jeep! Nice save

[@Gone_Gpn]

Thanks for the input. Yep, this one is going to be exciting. Chris and Liam actually took it on the 70th Jeepers Jamboree on the Rubicon Trail in July; video posted below somewhere.

[@teamracing6]

amazing treasure find!

[@Gone_Gpn]

Yep, Edla is going to be a fun project

[@woof3598]

padded KC covers > I might have a set to donate, I well ahve to look

[@Gone_Gpn]

Hi Woof 359, Chris Collard here. I would much appreciate it if you are willing to part with them. Feel free to PM me on FB. C-

[@kimber3865]

I like the check list. looks very thorough! Do you mind sharing the checklist as a WORD/PDF/JPG/EXCEL document ?

[@Gone_Gpn]

Thanks for the input, Kimber. Chris is in the field this week, but send him a PM.

[@ewoudvandenberg1]

Best looking Jeep. What is the tire size?

[@Gone_Gpn]

Thanks for the good words. Edla runs 32x11.5x15 BFG KM3s.

[@user-mk8nv5bw3w]

Very impressive! And good on ya' for preserving this vital part of Jeep- and overlanding history.
By the way, did it come with any of the ladders? I've tried forever to find details on the design of the Mark Smith Jeep ladder, either drawings or close-up photos, or any info, really. There's been nothing turned up on the internet that I can find.

[@Gone_Gpn]

This one arrived in Bogota too late to fabricate the roof rack, thus no ladders. Collard has take specs from one of the other EDLA Jeeps and might fabricate one.

[@user-mk8nv5bw3w]

@@Gone_GpnExcellent. If he decides to make a drawing available, I'd be interested in getting a copy to see how they were made.