The first meeting of all three Jeepster owners on East Chop occurred in the late morning of Wednesday, August 24, in the parking lot of the East Chop Beach Club, overlooking Nantucket Sound. Bob King (’50 Jeepster), Carol Slocum (’49 Jeepster), and Thomas Dresser (’48 Jeepster), paraded their respective vehicles, pointing out similarities and oddities between the three roadsters.

Ms. Slocum has owned her shiny yellow Jeepster more than 30 years, and is pleased with its performance. When questioned about her lack of windshield wipers, she admitted that she rarely drives her Jeepster in inclement weather.

Bob King is proud of his 1950 vehicle, which he has owned for 15 years. He keeps it garaged all winter, with the battery out on a trickle-charge. He’s driven in the Edgartown parade a half-dozen times and enjoys cruising through town on errands. His favorite story was a venture through Vineyard Haven with a friend riding in the back seat. A red Jeep passed and the driver waved. The friend thought the wave was for him, but Bob quickly corrected him: The wave was for the car, and the waver was Carly Simon.

Tom Dresser bought his Jeepster this spring, on eBay, from a fellow in Providence. His car is in relatively good shape, having been stored nearly 20 years. However, like any elder character, it needs a modicum of attention now and then. He plans to drive his convertible through the early autumn, then garage it for the winter.

Both Carol and Bob live in Virginia in the off-season, but keep their Jeepsters stored on-Island in the off-season. The Jeepster is a perfect Vineyard car, a beach car, a vehicle that enhances the scenic view of the environment. It is an eye-catcher, a flashback to an earlier, more peaceful time. Bob, Carol and Tom love their cars and plan to keep them rolling along through the summer months as long as possible.