The 1978 CJ-7 Jeep (No Gauges, Leaking Gas Tank)
 United States  early adulthood
Master Registry #20 | Calculated Risk, Faith Under Pressure
Setting: Second vehicle ever owned, early adulthood
“My second vehicle ever was a 1978 CJ-7 Jeep with a bikini top and no working gauges except the speedometer, odometer, and radio. I kept a small gas can strapped to the back and remembered when I had filled up last and where I had gone. I actually never ran out of gas once.
I DID however, drive home 18 miles from my job after I put my last $7 into the gas tank and started the jeep, ran in to pay the till, and when I came out a guy pointed out that my gas tank was leaking onto the tail pipe.
I considered for a minute that I had no way of getting home, and even if I did, my Jeep would have to be towed, and I couldn’t afford that. So I said a prayer and drove home anyway. Then I replaced the gas tank.”
Key Details:
- Bikini top, no working gauges except speedometer/odometer/radio
- Small gas can strapped to back  never ran out of gas
- Last $7 in tank, leaking onto tailpipe
- Drove 18 miles home anyway
- Then replaced the tank himself
Key Lesson: Sometimes you have to drive home with a leaking gas tank because there’s no other option. Then fix it.
Best Used For: Calculated risk, faith under pressure, resourcefulness, doing what you have to do