As we continue the incredible saga of a humble Jeep truck, we dive deeper into its journey. What follows is a painstaking restoration, transforming it back into its former glory, and culminating in an unforgettable reunion with Dorothy – the iconic partner destined by fate to be with it. This is a tale of resilience, passion, and the kind of adventure that could only be found on the silver screen, but with a twist you won’t want to miss.
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!
2023
As we pick up our story, we dive into the heart of my restoration. The journey really began in 2023, when my family in Guthrie got the news from local movie set crew that the highly anticipated Twisters movie would start filming. They knew it was time to get me ready to shine once again. The first step was documenting every detail of the truck, aiming to preserve as much of the original as possible. Then came the disassembly and a meticulous evaluation of each part. Everything needed a deep clean. The old paint had to be stripped away, revealing layers of history beneath. Many of my parts were no longer available, so sheet metal had to be shaped, bent, trimmed, and expertly fitted to bring me back to life. The engine bay and motor received a much-needed cleaning, and once the metal work was done, the painting began. Countless hours were spent matching every detail, even the imperfections in the stripes, making sure I looked as close to my on-screen self as possible. Finally, the moment arrived – the reassembly, the big reveal, and a heartwarming reunion with my on-screen partner, Dorothy. And then, the grand finale: showing off my new look at movie premieres, basking in the spotlight once again.
Documenting Every Detail…
Disassembly Time…
Tim Stegner and his sons, Chance & Forrest took great care to make sure my engine received a top notch overhaul. They even added fuel injection so I could really go!
My AMC 360 cylinders were in surprisingly good shape, so instead of boring them out, they just honed them to perfection. The crank was turned, and they added an RV grind to my cam to give me that extra power. All new bearings and seals were installed, and I was carefully reassembled. My heads got a precise 3-angle valve job and brand new guides to ensure smooth operation. The engine and valve covers were painted a stunning AMC teal, giving me that original look with a fresh twist. To help me breathe a little easier, I was upgraded with an aluminum 4-barrel intake and a Holley Sniper fuel injection system, giving me more performance and efficiency. They topped it all off with sleek stainless shorty headers, which not only looked good but improved exhaust flow.
The Chrysler Torqueflite 727 transmission was completely rebuilt, ensuring I’d shift like new. My transfer case was also upgraded from the old 229 to the more robust 208, ready to handle whatever challenges lay ahead. They even crafted a new rear driveshaft and rebuilt the front one. Everything, from wheel bearings to brakes, got a full overhaul, ensuring I was roadworthy and ready to perform. And the best part? My gears still looked great – proving that this old Jeeps heart was still strong and ready to roll.
Bath Time
Since the cab had been welded onto the frame when camera mounts were added, the cab could not be separated. So the frame had to be cleaned, stripped of surface rust, and repainted while still connected.
Removing old paint and repairing metal to get to a clean fresh slate…
You’ll notice theres a lot of red paint – thats because I was born red. But for my movie debut, I got to rock a bold new yellow coat. Since my original color is red, my Guthrie family decided to keep the engine bay true to its roots, as it was never changed for the movie. Of course, I got a fresh new coat of red in there too, ensuring I’d shine brightly from every angle, both inside and out!
There wasnt a battery box on the market that fit my needs, so my team rolled up their sleeves and fabricated a brand new one from scratch, custom-made just for me.
For the fuel tank, they had to insert a return line for the fuel injection.
Tracing the stripes before we strip the paint.
For paint, Axalta Brand, Spies Hecker, Solvent based was used. Solar Yellow on the body, China Blue and Black for the stripes.
Frame & Firewall
Cab, Fenders, Doors, Hood, Front End, and Miscellaneous Parts
Bed
Reassembly
2024
The reveal of my makeover was a moment I’ll never forget! My Guthrie family threw a huge party and invited everyone to join in the celebration. But before I get into all the fun, I have to tell you about my epic reunion with Dorothy! My family made a special trip to Dallas to bring her home after her stay at Planet Hollywood in New York. Once we were reunited, I got to show her off at my big reveal. And as if that wasn’t amazing enough, I had the chance to see Helen Hunt (Jo) again! She signed my glove box, making it a moment I’ll treasure forever.
I had the incredible opportunity to attend countless movie premieres for the new Twisters! Each one was an unforgettable experience, getting to see the movie come to life on the big screen, surrounded by fans and fellow movie lovers.
Beacon Drive-In Theatre,
Guthrie, OK
Filming location
of the Drive-In scene,
Guthrie, OK
Riversport
OKC, Oklahoma City, OK
Washita Theatre,
Cordell, OK
Flix Brewhouse,
Oklahoma City, OK
Cinemark Theatre, Moore, OK
Woodward Theatre, Woodward, OK
