The Shank Family: 1950's Teardrop Home Movies & Website

[Oasis Maker]

This is my favorite and all time classic teardrop site. Early on when researching Jeeps and Teardrops, 2 sites came up. Larry and Diane Sorensen's Outback site, and this website from the Shank family. It's an incredible glimpse back to yesteryear. Pre-Lake Powell, Pre-restricted National Parks, just remarkable scenery and footage of the Southwest that can never be experienced like this again.

Some notes: Larry Shank (the son) is narrating the clips. His Dad was a Lockheed Engineer, and I think between his profession and a reflection of the times, he had an insatiable "can-do" spirit. Check out the many cool modifications and inventions he did to his Jeep CJ-3B and 1947 Kenskill Teardrop. -Enjoy!

Scott G.

A Jeep And A Teardrop: Glendale

Capital Reef And Cayonlands

Glen Canyon And Monument Valley

Website (Still Photos)

[parnold]

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing that link!!

[kirkman]

Now that was cool! Thanks!

[starleen2]

Neat site, thanks for sharing

[Miriam C.]

Thanks for sharing. I couldn't get the plug in to take so can see the videos but the blog is great. All the things we will never see thanks to progress......

[High Desert]

Fantastic site Scott, thanks! A testiment to ingenuity all the way around

[cuyeda]

Larry has the original receipts, bill of sale, tendered bank check etc. from the acquisition of the trailer ($400), jeep, outboard motor, and boat. Cool human interest story.

[Pottercounty]

What a wonderful film montage! The Shank family had a terrific sense of adventure. We had simular experiences as kids back in the 50's & 60's with our own surplus army jeeps in the wilds of Potter County, Pennsylvania and I cherish them. Thanks for the memory jog!

[Oasis Maker]

Larry has the original receipts, bill of sale, tendered bank check etc. from the acquisition of the trailer ($400), jeep, outboard motor, and boat. Cool human interest story.

Now that's excellent. Thanks for sharing Cuyeda. With that amount of family history, I was wondering if Gage or anyone in the California crew knew Larry or even his Dad.

Scott G.

[Gage]

Now that's excellent. Thanks for sharing. With that amount of family history, I was wondering if Gage or anyone in the California crew knew Larry or even his Dad.

Scott G.

Yep, have met them and the mother. Boy has she got some stories. I've got a picture somewhere of her that I took a couple of years ago. Both the Kenskill and Jeep have been completely restored. I haven't seen the mother for a couple of years now. Yes in deed, passed down history and most enjoyable to talk to.

[cuyeda]

I have met Larry at a few rallies. He showed some of the original home movies that was used to piece together the movie clips. It was enjoyable to see some of the raw footage. From what I can see in the photo enlarged is that his dad paid $400 for the teardrop, and $2399.27 for the jeep.

Try contacting Larry from his email address since you both have jeep and teardrop in common. if yoiu can't find it, I will have to dig it up somewhere. Also there is a group of people that have similar interests of jeep and teardrops.

Dave and Louise: [email protected]
http://td.roughwheelers.com

[Oasis Maker]

From what I can see in the photo enlarged is that his dad paid $400 for the teardrop, and $2399.27 for the jeep.

Yep, good eyes - you nailed it. Larry has the bill of sale on his website. Thanks for the other info too.
Scott G.

[Oasis Maker]

Now that's excellent. Thanks for sharing. With that amount of family history, I was wondering if Gage or anyone in the California crew knew Larry or even his Dad.

Scott G.

Yep, have met them and the mother. Boy has she got some stories. I've got a picture somewhere of her that I took a couple of years ago. Both the Kenskill and Jeep have been completely restored. I haven't seen the mother for a couple of years now. Yes in deed, passed down history and most enjoyable to talk to.

Yeah, I figured as much Gage. I also thought you might have known (or knew of) Larry's father professionally since you're both engineers.

I can only imagine the stories the mother must have too. I gotta "respectfully" say, Larry's Dad had it good. A Jeep babe AND a teardrop babe is quite the companion. The part where she is driving the Jeep and teardrop through the mud is priceless.

Scott G.

[Gage]

Yeah, I figured as much Gage. I also thought you might have known (or knew of) Larry's father professionally since you're both engineers.

I can only imagine the stories the mother must have too. I gotta "respectfully" say, Larry's Dad had it good. A Jeep babe AND a teardrop babe is quite the companion. The part where she is driving the Jeep and teardrop through the mud is priceless.

Scott G.

Well, I worked for Northrop, now Northrop/Grumman (30 years). Did you notice that the passenger seat was extra. ....

[Oasis Maker]

Did you notice that the passenger seat was extra. ....

No I didn't. I thought I knew my Jeep history fairly well, but I can't imagine why anyone would order a Jeep with one seat back then?

Even as a military vehicle it could always use two seats for soldiers? Wonder what the marketing was for that option?

Scott G.