Popular event draws over 500 Jeeps as attendees enjoy all types of editions, food, raffle items and plenty of scratch and dent deals.
by Matt Konkle
Torque Managing Editor
The aged maroon machine stood in silence amongst a sea of newer, flashier vehicles. Colorful ones with larger tires, lift kits, shiny rims, light bars and beefy, rugged bumpers.
You’d think all these reflections of modern manufacturing would demand most of the attention during Sunday’s Jeeps and Java event at Quadratec’s West Chester campus.
And yet this older Jeep, a 1951 Willys Wagon with its throwback-style grille, thin knobby tires, locking front hubs and mid-twentieth-century production cues, was the one acting like a magnet for much of the cool, crisp morning.
Jacob Bedsaul, from Bel Air, Maryland, drove it out to West Chester Sunday and instantly saw scores of smartphones raise up to take pictures when he turned into the parking area off Saunders Lane.
”This is my first time to one of these,” Bedsaul said while fielding plenty of compliments on the vehicle. “I saw it on Facebook and some of my friends said they were coming up, so I figured why not.”
Sunday’s event was the second held at Quadratec this year and once again drew all kinds of Jeeps representing the brand. Everything from that ’51 Willys Wagon to a forward control tow truck, to the newest 4xe Wranglers and Gladiators. Overall, more than 500 Jeeps packed the parking lot and surrounding area.
This time, not only did show-goers get to admire and learn about the various Jeeps in attendance, but everyone also was able to pick over some great scratch and dent deals throughout the entire morning.
Doughnuts and coffee were available and everyone who attended received a raffle ticket for a chance to win gift cards, passes to Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, as well as other prizes from DV8 and Bushwacker. Additionally, anyone who brought a non-perishable food donation received an additional raffle ticket.
Overall, the event ended up collecting just over 500 pounds of donated food and raised $1,557 all for the Chester County Veterans Administration Food Pantry.
Quadratec even carved out a job fair location and had a spot where people could ask product questions or learn more about their vehicles.
”Jeeps and Java has always been about just getting people together and having everyone talk about and admire all types of Jeeps on a relaxing weekend morning,” said Eric Ammerman, Quadratec’s Director of Creative Content. “It has been very successful here, which is a big reason we are working on expanding the event’s reach all across the country."
For Bedsaul, all that camaraderie and learning more about what his Jeep requires was definitely the big draw. Especially because he bought it with most of the stuff already installed.
”It has a 4.3, V6 crate engine, Chevy drivetrain swap, four-speed NP205 transfer case, Dana 44 front and rear axles,” he said. “Considering the guy I bought it from did about 95 percent of the work in his driveway, he did a great job.
”Now, I’m just trying to figure out just what else it needs. Parking brake, mirrors, gauges, that type of stuff. I’ve just been driving it all around and trying to enjoy it.”
Quadratec’s next two Jeeps and Java events will be in Texas and California with dates and locations to be announced shortly.
