Loren Upton's traveling Jeep

Laurence Upton is on a mission. Part one of his four-part plan is to have the aged Jeep restored as a tribute to the American explorer who owns it – Loren Upton, Laurence’s 82-year-old uncle.

Section:Gallery

Tue., May 9, 2017

Laurence Upton, of Yakima, is restoring his Uncle Loren’s 1966 Kaiser-Jeep CJ-5 that traveled the globe and even made the Guinness Book of Records for crossing the infamous Darien Gap of Panama. Laurence trailered the rig to Spokane on April 21, 2017.

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The Upton Jeep has chanel-lock pliers, mounted on the driver’s door, to open the gas cap, along with a denim bag to hold Loren’s journal.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Laurence Upton, of Yakima, is restoring his Uncle Loren’s 1966 Kaiser-Jeep CJ-5 that traveled the globe and even made the Guinness Book of Records for crossing the infamous Darien Gap of Panama. Laurence trailered the rig to Spokane on April 21, 2017.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Laurence Upton, of Yakima, is restoring his Uncle Loren’s 1966 Kaiser-Jeep CJ-5 that traveled the globe. The yellow 713, painted on the hood cover, is know to be Loren’s favorite number.

Dan Pelle The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
The Upton Jeep has 80,000 miles on the odometer and the dashboard features an added outlet direct to the battery for a light.

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Loren Upton on the International route Cape to Cairo in Zaire, Africa, on April 6, 1988.

Laurence Upton Courtesy
Loren Upton and his Jeep outside St. Basil’s and Red Square, Moscow, Soviet Union, on June 27, 1989.

Laurence Upton Courtesy
Lauren Upton on the Panama/Colombia border with several natives on January 30, 1986.

Laurence Upton Courtesy
Laurence Upton, second from left, village of Yaviza, Panama, start of the Darien Gap, 1st dry season. February 22, 1985.

Laurence Upton Courtesy
Loren Upton stands on the roof rack of his Jeep during the first dry season at the Darien Gap in late February or early March of 1985.

Laurence Upton Courtesy
Laurence Upton hand-winching the Jeep over rough terrain in the Darien Gap, March 11, 1985.

Laurence Upton Courtesy
Loren Upton’s Jeep at pyramids of Giza, outside Cairo, Egypt, on Sept. 11, 1988.

Laurence Upton Courtesy