This past Thursday while working, I got a message about an available Jeepster, a special Jeepster, Brian Sweeney‘s. Since the day we lost Brian during the 9/11 attacks, I wanted this Jeepster. His sister got it and I figured I’d never see it again. Fast-forward to Thursday and I get a text that it was available. The current owner of Brian’s Jeepster was ready to sell it because she felt it was languishing in her possession. The owner and I made a deal on the phone Thursday afternoon and on Friday morning, I was on my way to Florida to pick it up. I stayed at my niece‘s house Friday night in Jacksonville and drove down to Tampa Saturday morning to pick this Jeepster up. It has a 4.3 in it like mine and I had talked to Brian on several occasions about the swap back in 2000 because it was foreign to me how to do that kind of thing. He was helpful and we talked several times on the phone and many times on the old forum via PMs. It is an original convertible. It has the quarter windows and the complete convertible frame intact. It’s solid as hell. It’s not rusted through anywhere except a couple spots in the floor. It has touches from Brian such as the fighter pilot shifter handle on the transmission and a bunch of crappy wiring, lol. I was not looking for any more projects, but if you would have asked me a week ago, would I take on a Jeepster project? I would’ve said no but if Brian Sweeney's Jeepster ever came available I would take that one. It’s gonna stay basically as it is now as a tribute to Brian and 9-11. I’m just gonna fix what's wrong and make it safe so I can and drive it. It will be a "Revival" rather than a restoration, I will be keeping it "as is" as much as possible and it will be a tribute to Brian Sweeney and the 9-11 attacks and our service members lost.
For a little more info, Brian died when flight 175 hit the second tower at the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001. He was an avid member of our Jeepster Club and helped me with my swap from the 225 V6 to the 4.3. Google Brian Sweeney and the 9-11 attacks for the full story.
This Jeepster will be referred to as "Sweenz" which was his screen name on our old forum.
For a little more info, Brian died when flight 175 hit the second tower at the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001. He was an avid member of our Jeepster Club and helped me with my swap from the 225 V6 to the 4.3. Google Brian Sweeney and the 9-11 attacks for the full story.
This Jeepster will be referred to as "Sweenz" which was his screen name on our old forum.
