I think I read the same book when I was an early teen. I remember
thinking that it would be really cool to stumble onto an old Jeep, get
it running and driving it around. I remember the title being 'Year of
the Jeep'. After searching google, I came up with Keith Robertson as
the author (IBSN 0670793582 April 1968). I really enjoyed that book.
I guess I was a Jeeper way back then and never realized it.