Phil Robertson’s 1974 Jeep has been bought by Jerry Gentry of Chatham four years ago, before Duck Dynasty reality show’s debut on A&E network.
“It was before he got big,” said Jerry Gentry, a semi-retired contractor who bought the Jeep, dubbed the River Rat, from Randy Lowe.
A hunting buddy of Phil Robertson’s, Randy Lowe acquired the jeep for $600 from the Duck Commander himself.
Jerry Gentry bought the River Rat, which had been stored and wasn’t in running condition, for $400.
“I thought it might be a good investment,” he said.
Phil Robertson’s River Rat was his primary mode of transportation during the early years when he was fishing the Ouachita River and selling buffalo and Gasper goo for 30 cents a pound and catfish for $1 a pound.
Jerry Gentry said he reached out to the Robertsons a few years ago to offer the Jeep back to the family, “but they said they weren’t going to pay much for something Phil sold for a few hundred bucks”.
That story was confirmed by Phil and Miss Kay Robertson’s oldest son, Alan Robertson.
“You don’t stay in business with negative cash flow like that,” Al Robertson said, laughing.
Jerry Gentry believes there will be a taker, and he plans to offer the River Rat sometime this week via an eBay auction.
“As popular as they are I think there will be a lot of fans who are interested,” he said.
“Or maybe the network or production company would want it for a prop. I’d love to see it on TV or in a parade.”
However, whoever buys the Jeep will have some work to do to get it back on the road.
Jerry Gentry plans to sell the River Rat “as is”.
“It just needs a little TLC,” Jerry Gentry said.
