1983 Jeep CJ7

Description

Streetside Classics is your Jeep CJ headquarters, and this 1983 CJ7 is only the latest in a long line of fun 4x4s that are ready to get dirty and play. Bright red paint, a weatherproof interior with hardtop, and no radical modifications, this Jeep's ready to go to work with you during the week and out on the trails on the weekend.

It's probably not a surprise that the CJ7 is so popular today. Widely regarded as the last of the 4x4s that can directly trace their lineage back to WWII, it's basic, tough, and tons of fun. Beautifully finished in bright red certainly helps with the sunny disposition and unlike so many of its peers, it hasn't been modified for rock crawling or barn kept beyond recognition by the passing years. Instead, it's a super clean, stock CJ with a lot of money recently invested in making it look and drive like new. Even when they were new, everyone kept their expectations low on the finish quality because sooner or later, you were going to be out in the brush tearing it up. That doesn't seem to be the case with this repaint, however, which is deep and shiny and there's lots of evidence that long hours were invested in prepping the body, because those flat body panels are super straight. No graphics or stripes, but pieces like the rubber fender flares and painted black bumpers add contrast that's quite appealing. Mesh grilles over the headlights, parking lamps, and taillights give it some off-road credibility and the full-sized spare mounted out back looks cool. There's a removable black hardtop and color-matched steel doors, perfect for making this Jeep a year-round source of transportation.

The back-to-basics interior has some nice upgrades, including fresh black bucket seats that are comfortable enough for long days in the sun. Matching black carpets add a big helping of civility and help control noise and heat, which is especially noticeable with the hardtop in place. The dash is matched to the bodywork and it sure looks like the whole thing was disassembled for paint, another sure sign of professional quality. The original instruments and control knobs are in the center of the dash, augmented by a pair of white-faced gauges hanging underneath monitoring temperature and fuel level. A Jensen AM/FM/cassette stereo provides decent sound through speakers protected in the dash, and an aftermarket center console is a practical addition with a nice pair of cup holders.

AMC's anvil-reliable 258 cubic inch inline-six has been taking people into the wilds for decades and is one of the more effective powerplants ever devised for off-roading. Mostly stock, it offers an upgraded Weber carburetor that improves throttle response, but otherwise is pretty much as the factory intended. You'll note that the alluring red paint extends under the hood and again, there are no masking lines or overspray on the major components, so you know the repaint was thorough. It starts easily with a characteristic Jeep rumble from the single tailpipe and with a 4-speed manual gearbox, it's downright fun to drive, even on paved roads. The underside is in excellent shape with no big changes aside from some heavy-duty shocks, and again, it sure looks like it's been someplace warm and dry its whole life. Standard steel wheels look almost new and wear 235/75/15 Goodyear Wrangler radials.

Haven't you been watching all those folks have fun in their Jeeps long enough, it's time to join the family. This one's really nice AND really affordable. Call today!