How do we know it’s “authentic”?

Embark on an unforgettable journey…

As we unfold the incredible saga of a humble Jeep truck. From its rise to fame as a Movie Star and Storm Chaser, to its shocking sale on eBay, followed by a parking theft, a miraculous recovery, a painstaking restoration, and ultimately a reunion with Dorthy that was destined by fate…this is a tale you won’t want to miss.

1984: My birthday!
1992: Went home with Derek Green.
1995: Got a fresh coat of paint for my movie debut.
1996: Twister was released in theaters, and I went to California for a while.
1997: Did you know Twister was the first movie commercially sold on DVD?
2003: Sold on eBay and went home with Gemini Lyons in Oklahoma.
2015: Made my first trip back to Wakita with the National Weather Center’s Dorothy.
2016: My second Wakita trip with the Twister Museum’s Dorothy.
2021: Reunited with Sean Whalen and Wendle Josepher!2023: Got my makeover!
2024: Showed off my new look and reunited with my on-screen partner, Dorothy.
2025: Twisters movie released! I got to attend several special movie previews of the new
Twisters!

It all began in 1984…

From 1963 through 1987, the Jeep Gladiator was in production for 26 years. It got minor mechanical modifications over those 26 years. AMC bought Kaiser Jeep in 1970, and the Gladiator brand was abandoned in 1971. It became known as the Jeep pickup, with model numbers like J2000 and J4000. The AMC engine series was also included in the J-series. The J-series phased out because of its outdated model when Chrysler purchased AMC in 1987.

The J-10 J-Series pickup truck line included the Honcho, Golden Eagle and 10-4 trim packages. The company built fewer than 7,000 J-trucks in 1983 (U.S. sales, 4,263), and just over 4,000 in 1984 (U.S. 1984 sales, 3,404).

1995

Several Jeeps were purchased that were similar in model but from various years. Landwehr Enterprises, based in Waukomis, OK, was commissioned to paint the Jeeps yellow. There were four complete vehicles and a cab section (image on the next page). It has been confirmed that two trucks and the cab section were crushed after filming wrapped.
The two remaining Jeeps were, at one point, owned by the same person. According to Gemini Lyons, he bought the first one and had a broker sell it to the Hollywood Star Cars Museum in Gatlinburg, TN. He later purchased the second one (me) on eBay and sold it to my family in Guthrie, OK. I’ll tell you more about that later on..

After filming wrapped, I stayed with Linda Wade at the Twister Museum in Wakita. Dorothy (the one that was smashed in the Jeep drop scene) was there too (and still is).

Twister was released and I went to stay in California for a while.

Countless hours were spent watching, pausing, and rewinding the DVD, meticulously studying every detail of the truck to ensure my restoration would be as true to its on-screen condition as possible.

1997

Did you know…Twister was one of the first movies released on DVD format?

The DVD first launched in Japan in November 1996, but was initially used to store and view music videos. A month later, four movies were released on 20 December.

When the viewing format was released in the US three months later, Twister was one of those titles. It is notable for being among the first films to be released commercially on DVD in the United States.

2003

In 2003, I got to go back home to Oklahoma with Gemini Lyons. He won me off Ebay. He also owned my stunt double, the 82 Jeep that is in Gatlinburg, TN at the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. He had a broker help him sell 82 to them, but he really missed his little J-10, so he found me.

As the story goes — at least as best as we can recall —- Gemini
Lyons bought the truck in 2003. He kept it for many years, driving it
daily, until one fateful day it was stolen while he was at work.
When it was finally recovered, it had been badly damaged: the
engine was blown, the wheels and tires were gone, and the
transmission was completely shot. Yet, Gemini got it back when the
police found it.
Fast forward to around 2013, and Gemini reached out to my
family in Guthrie, knowing that Tim was a true Jeep enthusiast.
When Tim saw me, it was love at first sight. He immediately knew I
deserved a second chance and promised to give me a loving home
where I could be restored to my former glory. Gemini made sure I
went to someone who would cherish me, keep me intact, and bring
me back to life.

2015

My dear friend Linda Wade from Wakita found out I was living in Guthrie and asked me to come to Wakita for a parade! So, i got to go pick up the National Weather Service’s Dorothy unit in Norman and I had so much fun! I got to meet a FAMOUS meteorologist named Emily Sutton!!

Since my new Guthrie family got to see a real Dorothy unit, they examined every detail so they could make one for me someday. I got to show Dorothy off all over town. My new family fixes up cars and trucks like me at their shops.  (Tim’s Body Worx and Steggie’s Garage) www.timsbodyworx.com & www.steggiesgarage.com