Episode 795 – JTS EJS Update!
The Concept Jeep That Almost Wasn’t
The Easter Jeep Safari just happened, and it was an epic one, to say the least. And not just because this was the first year that Jeep Talk Show in its decade-plus history has been able to make it to the mecca of North American Jeep events. No, it’s because there is a secret that many of you (even those who went to Moab Utah for the event) likely don’t know. One thing that IS known however is Jeep’s fascination for the easter egg. Little hidden gems that once found give you a sense of wonder and accomplishment all at once. Some people have taken to the internet to turn this into a whole following, and as Jerry Seinfeld would say, “That’s just fine… if you’re into that sort of thing.”
A history deeper than that of this show is Jeep’s offerings of concept vehicles that they bring to each and every Easter Jeep Safari. And this year was no exception with the automaker bringing seven total vehicles, each as different as the next, and each telling its own story. The Magneto, now in its third iteration, has a three-chapter book going with more to come. The incredible 392 Scrambler concept, or the retro stylings of the 1987 Cherokee concept, ended up being one of the crowd favorites. But one concept Jeep showed up that didn’t really show much ingenuity and was more or less just a regular, off-the-showroom floor production model Jeep Wrangler 4xe. The only thing conceptual about it was the pinkish paint job. A hodge-podge mix-up of Furious Fuchsia and Plum Crazy, this one particular Jeep is not what was originally planned to show up. This Jeep had a different interior, for all of about 5 minutes. Just long enough to shoot some teaser pics to prove they did it, and then the concept was immediately abolished along with a name that for reasons of tact and decorum Stellantis would not allow repeated. If Dodge is the neck tattoo to Stellantis, the Jeep in this particular case was to be the nipple ring. The concept was to showcase some design team’s itch for an S&M-themed Wrangler, complete with a patterned black leather interior, and metal buckle inserts. A shiny latex shift boot, a pink kissy lips air freshener, and a lipstick-punk trunk in the cargo area all give this away as the same Jeep, minus all the fun parts. Jeep obviously ditched the name, swapped out the seats last minute and more or less swept this Jeep under the rug. But the one thing they couldn’t hide was the easter egg.
Hidden NOT in the punk-themed case in the rear that was sure to house all sorts of whips, chains, and other fetish-like accouterments…. But it was in the dash, that the easter egg was found. A modified version of the glove box, when opened revealed a faux-pink fur-lined compartment neatly holding a bottle of gin… “KINK” brand Gin to be exact. Which according to my limited research, isn’t a real brand.
Rumors have it that the original version of this Jeep DID have a name, and I may have already let the proverbial cat out of the bag. Something tells me that this Jeep probably wouldn’t have made it to the show at all if not for the other hidden easter egg…. Seven.
From the movie Seven, and in the most memorable, quoted, and meme’d scene, where Brad Pitt’s character is emotionally asking his partner “WHAT’S IN THE BOX?!?!?” …. This scene just so happens to appear in the form of a sticker on the box in the back of this Jeep.
