A NATION UNITED: This 2002 Jeep® Liberty Pays Tribute To 9/11

On September 11th, 2001, the United States was forever changed by a tragic event that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent people. The nation rallied together in the aftermath, displaying American flags as a symbol of unity and support. Flags adorned homes, schools, businesses, and even cars, a poignant reminder of solidarity.

Amidst this wave of patriotism, the auto industry played a notable role, particularly in Toledo, Ohio. The United Auto Workers (UAW) and Chrysler collaborated with Paul Clawson, a skilled painter at the Toledo Assembly Plant, commissioning him to create a tribute on vehicles. Clawson meticulously crafted four vehicles, bedecked in a striking red, white, and blue American flag motif. Among them were a 2002 Jeep® Wrangler (TJ) and a 2002 Jeep Liberty (KJ). Additionally, Clawson applied the same design to his personal 1976 Jeep CJ-5.

These vehicles were positioned in front of the iconic Jeep stone logo at the Toledo Assembly Complex, where they stood as a powerful memorial along Interstate 75 (I-75). While they remained there for months, DaimlerChrysler ultimately scrapped them.

Shortly thereafter, Ed Schmidt Jeep of Perrysburg, Ohio, enlisted Clawson to replicate the Liberty scheme for one of their own vehicles. This 2002 Jeep Liberty, originally a Patriot Blue Limited 4×4 model, was outfitted with every available option, save for a sunroof to make room for additional stars.

Initially intended for promotional use by Kroger Foods, the deal fell through, leading Ed Schmidt Jeep to retain the vehicle for display. It eventually found a buyer with only 955 miles on the odometer and made its way to New York state for everyday use.

Enter Nick Priola, an avid enthusiast who stumbled upon Clawson’s 1976 CJ-5 on Craigslist and later acquired the Liberty through an eBay listing. Priola proudly showcased both vehicles together at various local events, including the Memorial Day Parade in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Despite efforts to find a museum interested in acquiring these historic pieces of Jeep history, both vehicles were ultimately put up for auction at the 2014 Mecum Auction in Indianapolis, Indiana.

At the auction, the CJ-5 garnered a high bid of $16,000, while the Liberty reached a high bid of $13,000. The vehicles subsequently found themselves in Highland Park, Illinois, before the Liberty was listed on eBay. It caught the eye of a woman in search of a replacement for her wrecked Patriot Blue 2002 Jeep Liberty Limited 4×4. She became its new owner and transported it to its current home in Virginia.

The current owner has made admirable efforts to document this once-historic piece of Jeep’s history, ensuring its legacy endures. For more detailed photographs and stories about this remarkable vehicle, you can visit KingsRansom.com.