Nothing is more depressing to cruisers than winter. During the dog days of summer and even spring and fall, cruisers can’t wait until that next cruise or car show. When winter rolls in, the snow falls and the salt is spread, and the hot rods go into hibernation, snuggled under their comfy car covers. Their owners, well, they just stare at their calendars hoping summer starts earlier this year.
With the depression caused from lack of “hot rod therapy,” most cruisers do maintenance on their rides or just wait for better weather. Other cruisers find ways to supplement their need for cruising in a cool ride. John Wilson is one such guy.
A proud veteran and president of the Hoosier Coachmen Car Club, Wilson wanted to cruise year-round and honor the Navy that he served. With his hot rods put up for the winter, he decided to build a rolling tribute on a vehicle that is cool and can be driven all year.
Meet Pearl, the name of Wilson’s 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited. Named after Pearl Harbor, this cool Jeep really stands out. “Jeepers” refers to a large group of cruisers who often plan long cruises year-round, enjoying the versatility of the four-wheel-drive vehicle while also looking cool. Speaking of looking cool, Wilson’s Jeep grabs attention at every car show or store parking lot it enters.
While mostly stock, Pearl became a rolling tribute to the U.S. Navy as it is adorned with graphics that tell a compelling story of the service and dedication of its owner. Wilson joined the Navy in 1989, and in 1991 was stationed at Pearl Harbor on the USS Crommelin FFG-37. The frigate was named after the Crommelin brothers, the only group of five siblings to ever graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy. The ship would later be decommissioned in a ceremony at Pearl Harbor in October 2012.
Pearl features the names of every duty station and port that Wilson visited during his service. The rear fender displays the coordinates of the final resting place of his beloved ship as it was intentionally sunk during a Rim of the Pacific Exercise after being decommissioned. As a final show of respect, Wilson had a star made on the hood to honor all those lost during the deadly attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
While Wilson drives the Jeep year-round, it still makes many appearances at Franklin car shows and cruises in the summer months. Veterans, especially Navy vets, really appreciate seeing this rolling tribute that often has a U.S. flag and U.S. Navy flag waving from its rear bumper.
While stationed in Hawaii, Wilson and his wife, Sherry, couldn’t afford reliable transportation, so on weekends they would rent a Jeep to explore the island. After his tour of duty concluded, the couple moved back to Indiana and started a family. After their kids were grown, the couple wanted to experience those Jeep adventures again, so they searched for the perfect one to transform into Pearl.
Reflecting on his ride, Wilson says that “as a civilian, I have been blessed with a wonderful family, great friends, and even won the 2000 Indy 500 as a team member of Target/Chip Ganassi Racing, but the honor of serving my country and being a U.S. Navy veteran has brought me great pride, and displaying those memories on Pearl was just fitting.”
As most cruisers count the days until summer, the Wilsons are all smiles cruising in Pearl through all seasons. In the summer you might see them cruising in one of their other hot rods, but this beautiful Navy tribute Jeep is cruised year-round. If you happen to see Pearl, take a moment to soak in all the history, and perhaps take a moment of silence for those who have given their last full measure of devotion in the service of our country.
Until next time…keep cruising.
