Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) occupies 43 square miles of land in Northern New Mexico. Owned by the U.S. Department of Energy, it was born in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project to create the first atomic weapons during World War II. This 1956 CJ-3B was originally part of the motor pool at Los Alamos, at a time when the Manhattan Project was history, but the "cold war" was in full swing and there was undoubtedly still a huge amount of nuclear weapons research underway at the facility.
Robert Diaz was the third owner since the Jeep was sold by LANL. He says, "I don't know who drilled the holes below the door on the left side, or why. The first civilian owner built the bumpers and grille guard. I understand that he completely rebuilt the engine and transmission, and installed free-wheeling hubs, tow bar, hitch, and windshield. The original ad from when he sold it, states 'over $4500.00 invested in restoration.'"
Robert sold the Jeep in late 2000.
Although many government Jeeps tended to be Olive Drab or GSA Gray, examination of the paint layers indicated this one was originally painted red. This raises the question of whether the Jeep was perhaps connected with the LANL fire department. It apparently was equipped with a two-way radio.
It does not have the usual nomenclature tag found on federal government vehicles, but there are two holes on the dash which apparently were used for a tag like this one seen on a 1954 CJ-3B (60K JPEG) on eWillys. (See also a similar plate on a fire Jeep from an Atomic Energy Commission facility in Kansas City.) So perhaps the vehicles were not supplied through normal government purchasing channels, but were bought directly by LANL.
This 1957 photo shows Ashley Pond in the center of Los Alamos, surrounded on three sides by the Gamma Building, which held offices and laboratories. Is that the 1956 Jeep in dark paint parked in the foreground? I don't know how many Jeeps were running around LANL in 1957, but possibly quite a few.
Ashley Pond was actually named for Detroit businessman Ashley Pond, founder of the Los Alamos Ranch School, a boarding school connected with the Boy Scouts. The school's land was purchased by the government for the secret Manhattan Project in 1942.
Ashley Pond is also visible in the middle of this wider view of the Los Alamos facility, circa 1950, along with the water tower from which the above photo was taken.
Today, Ashley Pond Park is a downtown landmark in the city of Los Alamos, located beside the Manhattan Project Visitor Center. LANL is now one of the largest scientific institutions in the world, conducting research for national security, space exploration, nuclear fusion, renewable energy, medicine and supercomputing. (Wikipedia)
Robert says, "When I bought it, it was suffering from neglect and lack of preventative maintenance. The oil was a thick sludge and the steering gear box was bone dry, hence requiring a great deal of effort to steer. The gas tank had a leak, the tires were bald and flat, the carburetor needed re-building and the seats needed replacing. I have repaired the above myself, and have stripped and sanded it down and painted it pearl white. The Jeep is running perfectly now -- it is a joy to operate this vehicle."
"It came with a brand new complete canvas top, sides, and doors. But the weather has been so mild the last two winters in this area that I have never put them on. I just use the 'bikini top'. I removed the heater from under the dash when I painted the Jeep.
"When I took these pictures I had also not yet replaced the vacuum wiper on the drivers side and the manual wiper on the passenger side."
"This Jeep is now my pride and joy -- it's all I drive on my days off, and I use it for everyday errands in town, as well as serious 4-wheeling in the surrounding desert areas going out as far as 50-60 miles. It has never failed me yet. I also tow it out to our hunting areas in the fall and ride around in the mountains of Central New Mexico.
"The bulldog's name is Ely. I've owned and raised English Bulldogs as a hobby for about 25 years. Right now I have 4 bulldogs, but Ely is the only one that likes to ride in the Jeep."
"I've had a ball the last two years that I've owned it, riding through the deserts and mountains of New Mexico! I plan to buy a winch since I have gotten it stuck a couple of times. The only other improvements I hope to make are to fix the handbrake, and go to the 11-inch brakes."
-- Robert Diaz
Thanks to Robert for the photos and information on this bulldog of a Jeep, which he sold in 2000. -- Derek Redmond
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