1974 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 1974 Jeep CJ5, which is pure, unadulterated fun on wheels. With a rust- and dent-proof fiberglass body, a genuine AMC V8, and just two seats, 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? Fiberglass like the body on this CJ5. It's tough, rustproof, and doesn't dent. It lends itself perfectly to the boxy Jeep shape where you can make it tough enough to withstand the rigors of off-roading without damage and still keep that traditional Jeep look. Add a coat of electric blue paint and it starts to look like something that belongs on a show field not a muddy field, but that's exactly where this Jeep is at its best. Fender flares, some diamond-plate for protecting the vulnerable areas, and that wild tilt front end give this one a unique personality that will win fans just for the sheer audacity of the thing. But the big tubular chrome bumper, classic round Jeep headlights, and those funky asymmetrical rear-view mirrors all give this one a genuine off-roading presence that's more than just for show.

This one is a legitimate 2-seater now, thanks to a pair of comfortable and supportive buckets from a late-model vehicle. The original rear bench was jettisoned and replaced with a pair of powerful all-weather speakers and there's now enough room to carry plenty of gear for hitting that remote campsite only you know about. New carpets give it a finished look and help control heat from underneath, and the brushed stainless dashboard looks tough. The gauges are clustered in the center in the original way, although the leather-wrapped Grant GT steering wheel is a nice improvement. Aluminum pedals, a center console with cup holders, and the aforementioned AM/FM/CD stereo all help to civilize the Jeep a bit-not too much, but a little! A massive chrome roll bar behind the seats carries powerful off-road lamps, so it's ready in case worse comes to worst.

The engine is an AMC 304 cubic inch V8, the same powerplant that has been powering Jeeps for decades. 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 like long-tube headers with side pipes, a 4-barrel carburetor, and a big cooling fan for slow going. A few chrome dress-up pieces and color-matched components help that tilt front end reveal something worth looking at, although it's admittedly a bit tough to photograph. 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's been lifted so there's plenty of clearance for those huge 33x14-15 Super Swamper tires on chrome wheels.

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!