andrew... thanx 4 the welcome but i am still in the philippines...
back in the states next week...

+fireamx & ben47...

the pix you posted are genuine JEEPNEYS... the front end that resembles the jeep are copies... original jeeps are still around but very expensive here...for the collector.

as far as structure they are far from frail... the body is all galvanized steel so "door DINGS" really do not exist here... frame work and chassis are built like tanks!!! no air bags though!!!

as for the filipino's love affair with our JEEP it did start from WWII with the USA leaving behind many jeeps for the country's reformation.

then during the Viet Nam war another surge of jeeps came into the philippines.

however 95% that are on the road are replicas... galvanized steel replicas. and the owners of these vehicles personalize them...
everyday here i feel like i am in the middle of a NASCAR race with all these painted/decorated jeepneys...

in reference to "cheap" mode of transport... it is not. it is proportionate to what we pay to ride a bus or train or taxi...
but... it is cheap for us with dollars... the dollar does go a long way here!

MATADOR!!! my wife and i did spot one in 2003!!! up in manila...

but i am always looking for that AMX!!!

i look in the papers here and there are 1966 mustangs... '68, '69 camaros... muscle cars in general!!! and they are cheap! they have no engines/tranny... i am looking into sending some of them back to the US with customs and all that...

anyway i will be back in december and ... no joke... i am looking into making/having family build it based on my designs... a car that resembles the crossfire for our stay during christmas... hehehehehhahaha... can't wait...

thanks all for the interest...
josh