Jeep history on display at Omix-ADA Museum
OMIX-ADA brought a remarkably well-preserved ‘78 Jeep J-10 pickup truck with 2,443 original miles to the 2015 SEMA Show. It had an optional denim interior.
OMIX-ADA has been selling jeep parts and accessories for over 24 years. Company owner Henk Van Dongen also has a private Jeep museum. The OMIX-ADA jeep collection at company headquarters in Suwanee, Ga., reflects former owner of Omix-ADA, Al Azadi’s passion for Jeeps. There are dozens of Jeeps in his collection, including three prototypes.
The collection includes a Willys MA, a Bantam VRC40 and a Ford GPW. There’s also a GPA, which is the amphibious version of the Ford jeep. And no collection would be complete without an MB, a GPW, an M38, an M38-A1 and an M17. In addition to these famous military models, there’s about two dozen collectible civilian jeeps.
The motivation for the museum was to protect the legacy of the jeep and honor its history. The museum also includes a workshop area to restore and maintain jeeps such as a very rare Willys CJ2A Farm jeep with agricultural equipment and a Jeep J10 pickup truck with only 2,440 original miles. Another outstanding vehicle is a Jeep forward-control FC-150 fire truck that has its original paint. The lacquer paint is flaking off, but it’s original.
The OMIX-ADA Museum in Georgia also features a selection of military models including an MB, GPW, M38, M38-A1 and M17.
The special interest jeeps residing in the collection today were found in a variety of ways. Azadi built up a network of people and contacts who knew his interests and goals. He bought jeeps online and from people who had original, nearly untouched jeeps. Models such as a Gladiator pickup and a 1995 Jeep XJ were on his wanted list.
A long-range goal of the museum is to have one of everything. Then, the OMIX-ADA technical department will be able to look at the vehicles to develop new products. The company’s goal is to have its restoration parts look just like the original components.
The collection is private, but open to the public by appointment. That’s because they need to have someone there to open the door, turn off the alarms and explain what visitors are seeing. Visit OMIXparts.com or email [email protected].
This is one of 1,546 Jeep FC-150 forward-control Jeeps produced in 1959. This one features a hydraulic bed and a later, wider chassis. OMIX-ADA brought it to SEMA.
OMIX-ADA brought a remarkably well-preserved ‘78 Jeep J-10 pickup truck with 2,443 original miles to the 2015 SEMA Show. It had an optional denim interior.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture envisioned use of Jeeps in farming after World War II. Willys created special Farm Jeep options seen on this CJ-2A in the OMIX-ADA museum.
This 1955 Willys 4 x 4 pickup shown at SEMA in 2015 was originally used by the A.W. Berryesa Co. company in Bridgeport, Calif. It has the 226-cid Hurricane Six engine.
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