A family with roots in off-roading has opened a Jeep museum in Fillmore, Utah. The Jeep Guy Museum has over 50 Jeeps on display, ranging from 1941-2023 model years, including 17 military Jeeps/trailers. Fun fact: The collection includes Jeeps acquired from 19 countries/states. The museum is owned by Zach and Katherine Harkness, who have a long history with Jeeps.

A scene like this greets visitors to The Jeep Guy Museum.

Zach Harkness Grew Up In An Off-Roading Family

Zach Harkness grew up in an off-road family and has been jeeping since he was young. He was often found wheeling with his dad in his 1983 CJ-7, and Zach jokes that his dad started his Jeep “sickness.” When he was 16 years old, Zach purchased his first Jeep, a 1988 Wrangler YJ. It was the first in a long line of Jeeps. In fact, prior to marrying Katherine he had owned about 16 of them. After he and Katherine got married the couple built their first Jeep together, a 2009 Wrangler JK.

Along the way, Zach’s hobby and passion for Jeeps turned into a family business called The Jeep Guy LLC. The company began in a small home garage in 2012 and has since evolved into a Lindon, Utah-based company that does custom builds on newer Jeeps. When they’re not wrenching on Jeeps the Harkness family is out on adventures, exploring the outdoors and having fun driving Jeeps on the trail. It’s worth noting that Off Road Xtreme has featured one of the family’s awesome Jeeps. It’s a supercharged 2015 Jeep Wrangler JK called “Stretch.” It acquired the name due to its stretched wheelbase.

The Jeep Guy Museum has over 50 Jeeps on display, with model years ranging from 1941-2023.

Seller’s Remorse Spawned A Collection

The catalyst for The Jeep Guy Museum was seller’s remorse. You see, a long time ago Zach and Katherine sold a 1944 GPW. Instant regret followed, so for over 15 years the couple has kept all the Jeeps they rescued. The goal is to preserve as many Jeeps as they can. In fact, it is said that Zach “…has a crazy passion to rescue and preserve at least one original example of each Jeep.” By default, the Jeep collection grew. Eventually, the couple decided to put all the vehicles together so everyone can see and appreciate them. Hence, the birth of The Jeep Guy Museum.

This is the sign you’ll see on I-15 southbound a few miles prior to the exit for The Jeep Guy Museum.

About The Jeep Guy Museum

The Jeep Guy Museum is in Fillmore, Utah. Fillmore is about 100 miles or so north of Cedar City. The museum has over 50 Jeeps and trailers on display at a given time. The top five Jeeps, as rated by visitors, include a 1981 J10 Honcho stepside, 1990 Grand Wagoneer, 1948 Jeepster, 1941 Willys MB, and a 1951 M38. Other vehicles in the collection include 1944 and 1945 Willys MBs, a couple of FCs, a 1956 Willys pickup truck, 1966 CJ-6 Tuxedo Park, 1979 Cherokee Golden Eagle, 1985 CJ-7 Renegade, and a heavily modified 2021 Wrangler 392, among many others.

The family says that one Jeep in the collection which holds sentimental value is a 1989 Wrangler YJ. It belonged to Zach’s grandfather, who passed away in 2015. The Jeep had journeyed across the U.S., towed behind his grandparents’ motorhome during their travels. In fact, The Jeep Guy Museum’s military room is dedicated to Zach’s grandfather. He was a U.S. Army WWII veteran who served in the 78th Infantry Division. In 1944 he fought in the battle for the city of Kesternich, Germany, at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery.

The Harkness family.

The Jeep Guy Museum Will Continue To Grow

The Harkness’ collection has been increasing for years and it sounds like it will continue to grow. The couple says, “We are always on the lookout for models or years we don’t have and really, any Jeep we can preserve in their original form. We have loved our rescue missions (road trips and adventures to get them) and hearing the awesome stories of some of the Jeeps from their owners.

“More than just showcasing our family’s collection, we hope the museum will inspire visitors to embrace the spirit of exploration and discovery, and to appreciate the heritage and legacy of Jeep. We aim for the museum to serve as a powerful reminder of the indomitable spirit of innovation that has driven the evolution of Jeep into symbols of freedom and adventure.”