1966 Jeep CJ5

Description

While the modern Wrangler does a pretty good impression of a daily driver that can go anywhere, there's no such pretense in this 1966 Jeep CJ5, which is pure, unadulterated fun on wheels. With a no-nonsense look, a strong Buick V6, and stripped to only the bare essentials, this one is the world's most recognizable off-road toy no matter how you look at it.

Anyone who's familiar with vintage Jeeps knows that their steel skins are perhaps the most vulnerable part. It dents, scratches, and if you live in certain parts of the country, they rust in the most demonic ways possible. The solution? Cover it in matte black paint. The finish is tough, easy to maintain, and with those diamond-plate reinforcements, it won't get all bashed up. It lends itself perfectly to the boxy Jeep shape where you can make it sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of off-roading without damage and still keep that traditional Jeep look. A bright red pinstripe and some bright chrome pieces dress it up, but it still looks like it should be getting dirty in the mud and that's exactly where this Jeep is at its best. Fender flares, a simple front bumper with a heavy-duty winch, and a pair of bright jerry cans on the rear give it a definite old-school look, which works well since this is one of the earliest CJs we've ever featured.

Although there's a rear bench, this one works best as a 2-seater now, thanks to a pair of comfortable and supportive buckets from a late-model John Deere tractor (don't knock 'em 'till you've tried 'em). The original rear bench is still there, hidden behind the temporary bikini top, and if you need room for four, it's there. Cool half doors add a modicum of protection, but the best way to enjoy a Jeep like this is alfresco. The instrument panel is pure simplicity, with auxiliary gauges on the left and a big speedo on the right and a minimum of frills. A massive padded roll bar behind the seats has a few reinforcements, so it's ready in case worse comes to worst, and there are accessories like an axe, a vintage digging tool kit, and a fire extinguisher so you're pretty much ready for anything in this Jeep.

The engine is a Buick-designed 225 cubic inch V6, the same powerplant that was powering mid-sized sedans from the General. Unusual but correct, it remains a reliable workhorse that will get you anywhere as long as there's fuel in the tank. It has a few performance upgrades an HEI ignition system and a dual exhaust system that gives the burly V6 a unique exhaust note. It's pretty stock otherwise, and a lot of Jeep guys will do a big double-take when they see the hardware, but it was indeed on the options list in 1966. A 3-speed manual gearbox and a 2-speed transfer case combine to offer unbeatable torque and the ability to idle over obstacles and feed beefy axles at both ends. The suspension doesn't need any help to make clearance for those huge 31x10.5-15 Goodyear Wrangler tires on satin black steel wheels, so it rides and handles the way a Jeep should.

For those of you who look forward to getting dirty and climbing rocks while you're sitting down, this Jeep is the right tool for the job. Call today!