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| Photos: Streetside Classics |
The two-door variant probably competed with the Ford Bronco and Chevy Blazer in the 1970s, but for Jeep fans, the Wagoneer was a different animal altogether. The look remained in production for more than two decades in various forms, and that wasn't because it was ugly. Quite the contrary, in fact, as the dynamically sculpted bodywork, from the hood scoop to the arrow-shaped side trim, makes the Jeep stand out among a lot of really boxy competitors. As I said, the Wyle E. Coyote motif is cool if you're into the desert, Road Runners, or even just have a playful sense of humor, but also beyond that, the light blue paint is a great choice on a truck like this. It's certainly presentable, but it's not so perfect that you won't be able to take it out and drive it. The chrome and stainless trim, of which there is a considerable amount, is all in good shape, particularly the shiny chrome bumpers, and it includes a few custom tricks like the twin frenched antennas on the quarter panel, and a cool woodgrained roof deflector.
It's quite inviting to step inside this Jeep, which offers blue and gray upholstery that works well with the medium blue exterior. It's not as extroverted, but rather comfortable and period-correct, with a few upgrades to make driving a pleasure. The big center console is obviously one such upgrade, offering a pair of cup holders and a lot of storage space that you wouldn't ordinarily get in a Jeep of this vintage. The original instrument panel offers big, bold round gauges with clear markings and a nice-looking woodgrain effect. Perhaps the biggest upgrade is the AM/FM/CD/DVD system in the center of the dash, which offers a 7-inch touch screen for convenience and speakers stashed throughout the truck which are obviously capable of delivering some serious sound pressure. The cargo area is very nicely finished with a wood floor and neatly padded sides, so nice that you'll think twice about actually using this to haul cargo.
For moving the Jeep around on- or off-road, it uses a 360 cubic inch V8, which was AMC's workhorse. Reliable, torquey, and ready to play, it's been upgraded with an aluminum intake manifold, Holley 4-barrel carburetor, and a set of long-tube headers that do wonders for torque production. The under-hood area is nicely dressed, too, with body-colored accents, chrome valve covers, and lots of attention to detail. Obviously it's got power steering and brakes, which are probably mandatory on a rig this size, and its' backed by a GM TH400 3-speed automatic transmission, so you shouldn't have to worry about repairs being a challenge. Jeep's 4-wheel-drive system is legendary and you will note that there are no levers inside the truck or locking hubs outside, because it has full-time 4-wheel-drive, a genuine innovation long before it became common. A custom dual exhaust system has a cool V8 sound and the underside of the truck is tidy, if not detailed for show. Shiny aluminum wheels wear slightly oversized white-letter radials that give it an awesome stance.
An unusual find for the Jeep fan, this cool Wagoneer offers 4x4 fun in a slightly more sophisticated package. Call today!
That's some crazy stereo setup, too. Would you rock this Jeep?
And....... SOLD! Interesting vehicle. Almost like an enclosed pickup truck. Did these originally have rear side windows, or were they essentially Panel Vans?
ReplyDeleteInteresting question. I'm no Jeep expert, but I swear I've seen others like this, with no back side windows. But I think this may not even be a Grand Wagoneer; I think it's actually a Cherokee. None of my books define a Cherokee with windows like this, so it may be a custom job. Still...I could swear I've seen others like it. But I'm pretty sure it's a SJ Cherokee, not a GW.
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