Aydın mechanics restore vintage green jeeps for mountain villages

In the mountainous regions of Aydın, Turkey, vintage green jeeps remain essential for transporting goods and navigating difficult terrain. Although the last models of these vehicles were produced in 1970, they continue to serve local farmers involved in chestnut, fig, and olive production.

Local mechanics, such as Gürbüz Özince, who inherited the trade from his father Necati Özince, specialize in restoring these vehicles. The restoration process can take months to return a vehicle to its original condition. Due to the scarcity of spare parts and the declining number of specialized mechanics, service providers in the city now often operate via an appointment system.

While urban residents in Aydın typically prefer modern vehicles, these decades-old jeeps remain indispensable in rural areas. The Özince family represents three generations of expertise, maintaining vehicles that have been in continuous use in Turkey for 75 years.