KIERAN
1995 OJ50
CADET BLUE + Space Black
Toyota 14B, Toyota 5-spd
I first read about The Bandy Co back in May or June of 2021, I believe. I had just been accepted to the consulate in Brazil (where I work as the Director of Security) so my family & I were doing our intensive language training for Portuguese back home in Virginia. I saw Eddie’s WhatsApp number on the site & called him, and we just clicked. He’d traveled all over the world pretty much, and well, that’s my job, too. And we both obviously had a thing for old 4x4’s. So everything just fell into place. I think we talked for a couple of hours that first night and I just felt really comfortable working with him.
At the time I was pretty set on getting a wagon-style Bandy (OJXXX), similar to the FJ43. I’d always loved the look of Troopies, and I have a wife & 2 kids, so I was a little hesitant to get a smaller vehicle. That said, I knew we’d have a primary family car in Brazil and this was a second vehicle, so I kept my mind open to the possibilities. I knew I wanted a 4th generation with the newer Toyota engine & 5-spd transmission, and probably some knobby 33’s (because they’re sexy). Shortly after I got to Brazil Eddie said that they’d just begun a full restoration of a shorter 95 jeep, and I jumped on it.
First of all, I love it. I love the look of it, the feel of it, the sound of it. Just the whole driving experience. It’s badass. Seriously. I’ve had Defenders, Wranglers, Rubicons, you name it. I’ve never had an FJ40, but I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t beat the sound & feel of the Bandy because this thing is turbinated & super low-rev. Honestly, it’s a whole driving experience. Just a lot of fun to get in & roll around in, and obviously super capable off-road also (although, with my work schedule, I’ve yet to really test it off road).
“I’ve had Defenders, Wranglers, Rubicons, you name it. This is the most unique & coolest driving experience of the bunch, by far. And it may be my favorite in terms of looks, too. ”
There are still a bunch of things I want to do to it—throw a roofrack on her, a ladder, and maybe a brush guard & a snorkel. I don’t know about the snorkel because I feel like if I were to put that on there Eddie might make me come on one of those epic Gift of Go trips (laughs), which honestly I’ve been dying to do for a while now. One of the best things about these vehicles is that you can add to her & upgrade as you go, over the course of ownership. So who knows what she’ll end up looking like down the road. I’m happy with her right now, though, that’s for sure.