Jeep: The First 70 Years - Jeep Grand Wagoneer

129 1103 Jeep The First 70 Years 1964 Jeep Wagoneer Two Door

1964 Jeep Wagoneer Two-Door
For 1963, the Wagoneer debuted as both a two- and four-door model in two- or four-wheel drive. An independent four-wheel drive front suspension was optional, as well as an automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes and comfort features that equaled a mid-level station wagon. Power came from a sprightly OHC Six. This rare, low-miles original two-door belongs to Jim Marski.

1964 Jeep Wagoneer Two-Door For 1963, the Wagoneer debuted as both a two- and four-door

Defining Sport Utility:
1963-1991
By the mid-'50s, the Jeep station wagons and pickups were getting dated, and engineers started on a process to modernize them. The merger of Kaiser-Frazier and Willys-Overland in 1953, to become Willys Motors, had moved that process along handily. By the late '50s, Willys Motors had prototypes of a new vehicle that merged the station wagon with the 4x4 in a way that no truck-based carryall, such as the GM Suburban, could match. It evolved through several looks and names but emerged in 1962 as the Wagoneer-a name with almost as much recognition now as Jeep itself. Near that time, Willys Motors became Kaiser Jeep, ensuring everyone knew the name of the man who signed the checks.

For 1967, the late-'40s Willys Jeepster concept was dusted off and refined into the Jeepster Commando. The original Jeepster was touted as being a "sports" car. Its anemic four-banger performance did not live up to that term, even by 1948 standards. With a snappy V-6, the '67 C-101 Jeepster Commando was different, plus it had four-wheel drive, which the original Jeepster did not. It was a modest success as a sport-utility rig. After the 1970 American Motors takeover of Kaiser Jeep, the Commando evolved a new snout and sported a new AMC Six and a V-8 option, but was replaced in the lineup after 1973 by the SJ-based Cherokee.

129 1103 Jeep The First 70 Years 1966 Jeep Wagoneer

1966 Jeep Wagoneer Four-Door
For 1965, a bunch of new stuff was added to the Wagoner lineup. The full-width grille was just one. Under the hood, a new V-8 option appeared in the form of the AMC 327. The OHC 230 Six left in favor of the AMC 232. The options list and packages were already showing a swing towards the high end at this point.

1966 Jeep Wagoneer Four-Door For 1965, a bunch of new stuff was added to the Wagoner lin

During the '60s, the Wagoneer gradually moved upmarket. One notable sign of that was the '66-'69 Super Wagoneer, which was a luxury version that rivaled cars for comfort. This was the first factory-built luxury SUV, and Jeep gets the credit for it.

But moving the Wagoneer upmarket left a hole at the bottom. That hole was filled by the Cherokee in 1974. The Wagoneer had debuted in both two- and four-door models. The two-door option faded away by 1968 but was resurrected for the Cherokee, which was initially offered only that way. Later, a four-door Cherokee S was offered. Though it was offered with plenty of options, the Cherokee had plenty of basic and middle-range options the Wagoneer didn't.

1968 Jeep Super Wagoneer
The '66-'69 Super Wagoneer was the world's first luxury 4x4. With leather, full power, special trim and paint, and a high-compression four-barrel 327ci V8, it rivaled a high end car of the day-but it had four-wheel drive.
1968 Jeep Super Wagoneer The '66-'69 Super Wagoneer was the world's first luxury 4x4. Wi
It's was a "gentleman's" 4x4, of course, not meant for hard wheeling, and a little over 3,900 were built in three years of production. Jim Marski's '68 was once owned by Buddy Hackett and was slightly customized by the late comedian.
It's was a "gentleman's" 4x4, of course, not meant for hard wheeling, and a little over 3,
1979 Cherokee Chief
The Cherokee debuted in 1974 as a lower-priced alternative to the Wagoneer, but its two-door style lent itself to some sporty treatments like the Cherokee Chief. Until it was phased out in 1978, the AMC 401ci four-barrel engine was an option, and with 4.11:1 gears and big tires, it was truly a "Chief" among its peers. Later in its life, the Laredo and Golden Eagle Cherokees were other stylish variations. The big SJ Cherokee bowed out after 1983 to let the XJ Cherokee shine.
1979 Cherokee Chief The Cherokee debuted in 1974 as a lower-priced alternative to the Wa

1991 Grand Wagoneer
You know you're getting long in the tooth when they add "Grand" to your name. That had occurred in 1984 when the XJ-based Wagoneer appeared. Jeep actually thought they'd retire the SJ in a year or two, but its popularity surprised them. The axe finally came in the 1991 model year, when federal CAFE standards finally took a big enough bite. Jeep slapped a "Final Edition" badge on the remaining Grand Wagoneers and sold 'em while they lasted.
1991 Grand Wagoneer You know you're getting long in the tooth when they add "Grand" to y
1968 Jeepster Commando Convertible
When the original-model Jeepster debuted in 1948, nobody denied it was neat. It just didn't have the "go" to go with the "show." That wasn't true when Jeep reintroduced a similar-looking rig, the Jeepster Commando, for the 1967 model year. The top-o'-the-line unit was the model 8701 convertible. It came with a snappy V-6, four-wheel drive and the convertible came with an optional power-operated top and a Continental-style spare tire. Pat Hughes' '68 8701 is one of only 422 built from '67-'69.
1968 Jeepster Commando Convertible When the original-model Jeepster debuted in 1948, nob
1970 Jeepster Commando Pickup
Jeep touted the Jeepster Commando as a "Sports Utility" when it debuted in 1966. This 8705H pickup certainly fits that bill. With the optional 4,200-pound GVWR, the stylish little trooper could handle a 1,200-pound load.
1970 Jeepster Commando Pickup Jeep touted the Jeepster Commando as a "Sports Utility" wh

1973 Commando Station Wagon
Job 1 for AMC was to integrate as much home-built componentry as possible into the Jeep line. That included the engines . . . and that was a good thing. The AMC inline-six or V-8 engines were generally better than what Jeep had been using, though they did require some alterations to fit. In the case of the C-104 Commando (note the "Jeepster" part was dropped), you either loved or hated the new look. You definitely loved the power of an available 304ci AMC V-8 as is fitted to this stellar '73. Not much was changed from the cowl back.
1973 Commando Station Wagon Job 1 for AMC was to integrate as much home-built componentr
1967 Jeepster Commando Roadster
The basis for the Station Wagon and Pickup was the model 8705 Roadster, to which the tops were added according to the order. Anthony and Nancy Immers' '67 Roadster is a very early production unit (about the 887th built) and very original, right down to the paint and top. It's a V-6 model with the T-14A manual trans.
1967 Jeepster Commando Roadster The basis for the Station Wagon and Pickup was the model
1971 Hurst Jeepster Commando
A number of special editions appeared in the C-101 and C-104 Commando lines, including the SC-1 and SC-2 models, but none is better remembered than the Hurst Commando. The project began as a collaboration between Hurst and Kaiser Jeep, and 500 units were planned (300 automatics and 200 manuals). The AMC changeover stalled that. In the end, an uncertain number, probably around 100, were actually built. Most were automatics, but one surviving stick shift hints there were at least some manual transmission models built. The Hurst Jeepsters are a rising star, and at latest count there may be as many as 65 survivors. This one belongs to Rod and Luana Schneider, who bought the unit while on vacation in Colorado in the '70s, not knowing they bought a rare bird. It's been a family treasure ever since.
1971 Hurst Jeepster Commando A number of special editions appeared in the C-101 and C-10