Man-tastic machine

Fancy sedans may be a gentleman’s toy, but when it comes to satisfying one’s machismo, it’s got to be an open-top jeep

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Jasmine Singh

Free and open in nature, someone who wouldn’t trouble you unless you are hell bent on inviting one. A breather, an obvious head-turner, a subtle yet evident machine with an insignia of machismo! And this is why Dilpreet Hundal, a singer from Mohali, has already scribbled an ‘epitaph’ as he calls it, on his jeep—‘When I die, burry me in this jeep because it’s never been in a hole that it could not get out of.’

“The lines have been picked up from somewhere, but this is exactly how I feel for this machine,” Dilpreet proudly keeps his hand on the bonnet, a pose in which he gets most of his pictures clicked.

The hi-end and jazzy cars are definitely in, but when it comes to ‘being different’, ‘being free’, ‘being gypsy’, men still prefer to open it up with open jeeps. They attach some kind of pride with it, and even with a fancy car parked in their garage, when it comes to geri sheri and style, it is still an open top, mostly modified jeep!

Nothing compares…

Driving an open top jeep has an irresistible charm, putting them in the most preferred vehicle list. Mandeep Sahota has returned from Australia after 7 years and is now pursuing organic farming in Zirakpur. The first thing that he did when he shifted base from Nakodar, Jalandhar to Zirakpur was to buy a second-hand modified jeep from a friend. “Mahindra Thar, this beast can crawl effortlessly from any place. I didn’t realise that I was called the jeep wala NRI in my vicinity,” says Mandeep who can’t help smiling.

Giving Maruti Gypsy a tough competition is Mahindra Thar. But it is modification, huge tyres, long-range shockers, roll cage, winch or maybe a snorkel that counts. Well, some even resort to removing inches from the back and the front for better departure. The thrill they say is different!

Jeep is a jeep

For those who can mistake any big machine for an SUV or a jeep for a MUV, let’s get this clear. Jeep is a trademark owned by the Chrysler Group (which was first owned by Willys-Overland in 1950) and has traded hands every few decades to finally reach them.

This clears that a jeep is not a vehicle type, it is a company. Also, this means that you can’t call an SUV a jeep!

“My ex-girlfriend happened to call my macho jeep a gaddi, a car, and trust me it really amazed me that she didn’t knew the difference between the two machines,” Ajay Pathania, a tyre dealer in Mohali, Phase 4 didn’t find it amusing. “C’mon it is a man thing, you don’t know what you are missing unless you have driven the open top once.” The reason why Ajay spend almost Rs 7 lakh on modifying an old military gypsy is because he finds this machine as the most liberating one.

“It is like sitting in a place that puts you a notch above the rest. I have had people stopping by to even take pictures with it,” adds Ajay, who wouldn’t talk much about the average or fuel consumption of the machine, which he feels is immaterial.

Ding dong, sing a song

Sanjay Dutt has driven it, and so has Salman Khan. Back home most Punjabi singers have had an open top jeep or a gypsy in their song sequences. For Punjabi films it has become almost mandatory.

Here in Punjab, the willy jeeps are insanely popular, the so-called landi jeep, for the wow factor they bring along is unparalleled.

Jagtar Sandhu, production in-charge with many Punjabi films, shares that before the director shoots a song sequence, they first ask for an open jeep. “I used to have a tough time scouting for a modified jeep. Now, I have zeroed in on people who own one and lend it for shoots. One day hiring cost is Rs 10, 000 and more.” Is anyone listening!

Remember Rajesh Khanna chasing Sharmila Tagore in a top open jeep… Mere sapno ki raanikab aayegi tu!