This week Jeep announced that Mark Allen, their Head of Design, has retired. Mark has been the driving force behind the aesthetics of models such as the Grand Wagoneer, Grand Cherokee, Renegade, Compass, Gladiator JT pickup, and of course the Wrangler JK and JL.

He joined us to talk about his 30 years with the brand, share memories of work with the Lunatic Fringe (the team that developed the Wrangler Rubicon) and how Jeep’s involvement with Easter Jeep Safari developed over the years. We also had a special discussion on Jeep’s hidden Easter eggs, his favorite Moab concepts, where you might bump into him in the future, and direction of the brand. Don’t work, he assures us Jeep is in good hands. Enjoy your G&T buddy, well deserved!

The history of Rubicon dates back long before the 49ers headed over the Sierra Nevada to California’s Gold Rush towns—the indigenous Maidu Indians traversed this summer route to Lake Tahoe. The Rubicon Valley was settled in the 1880s and the Maidu’s footpath became a wagon trail and eventually a public road. In 1953, Mark A. Smith and members of the Georgetown Rotary started the Jeepers Jamboree, beginning the Rubicon’s 70-year legacy as the world’s most iconic four-wheel drive destination.

We’ve gathered the four of the most knowable and influential people in the industry to discuss what the future holds for the grandaddy of Jeep trails.

Ken Hower, Rubicon Trail Foundation
https://www.rubicontrailfoundation.org/

Roger Salazar, California OHVMR Division
https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/

Pearse Umlauf, Jeep Jamboree USA
https://jeepjamboreeusa.com/

Bob Sweeney, Jeepers Jamboree
https://jeepersjamboree.com/

A video conference will be held on February 15 at 5 p.m. PST, attended by the below organizations and other involved agencies. You can register to listen in here:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpduyupzMqGdBLt29jw4zqNHK6OZvtsIiw?fbclid=IwAR26S6AKjuAEP6zNo90TUEfkGWKvdWSfh_jdTqBk2-ISiRX0pSAeACNMqCY

The Gone-Gpn podcast is back! We are mixing things up with a live show, no editing, no filters just Jeeps! We discuss SEMA, Flat Fender Fall Color Tour, Jeepers Jamboree, Key West in a Flat Fender, Jeep repair and more. Bring your questions and a glass of your favorite beverage, this is a show you don't want to miss!