“Getting there is half the fun.” How many times have we heard that old line? It is often spoken without a second thought, but it is one that accurately reflects many wilderness adventures. Those journeys can be a battle where it is the driver and machine versus the elements and Mother Nature. The wrong weapon can lead to failure, but the right vehicle brings success and satisfaction. This 1980 Jeep CJ-5 would seem perfect for such endeavors, but there is a good chance that will never happen. It is set to go to a new home, and the winning bidder will probably focus on preservation and protection. Why? Because this classic has led a sheltered life and has a genuine 3,931 miles showing on its odometer. It is worth a close look because off-roaders of this caliber don’t appear every day.

Jeep has a reputation for developing vehicles with long production lives, and the CJ-5 is a perfect example of that philosophy. The first vehicles rolled off the line in 1954 for the 1955 model year, with the final vehicles emerging in 1983. The first owner ordered our feature CJ-5 in 1980, selecting Saxon Yellow to cloak its steel. The seller describes it as an unrestored survivor, with the original paint in generally good condition. They acknowledge that the area behind the battery was refreshed before their purchase, which is a common practice due to acid damage. The overall presentation is impressive, and the “bare-bones” approach means that the floors are clearly visible in many of the included shots. They are rock-solid, and there is no evidence of exterior rust to cause concerns. The first owner ordered the Jeep without a top and with the side-mounted spare. It has since received a “bikini” top, and the seller also includes a full canvas storage cover. With the trim and glass in good order, this old classic will attract plenty of attention when people learn of its survivor status.

This Jeep’s interior represents motoring at its most basic, but that is understandable when we learn of its original role. The first owner purchased it as a maintenance vehicle at a Californian mobile home park. It didn’t venture off the property during that time, and thus, it was never licensed. That explains the low odometer reading, and it appears the subsequent owners have tried to minimize its use to protect that aspect of its history. It also means that since it toddled around the park on very short journeys, there was no need to load it with luxury appointments. The new owner scores an AM radio, a heater, and a lighter. Otherwise, there are two seats and acres of painted steel. The condition is generally tidy for a survivor, with only a few minor scratches and marks. The seller fitted a set of aftermarket seats but will include the spotless originals.

Buyers could order their shiny new 1980 Jeep CJ-5 with a range of engines, but given this classic’s original role, it is unsurprising that its first owner selected the 151ci “Iron Duke” four. They teamed this with a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case, with no power assistance for the steering or brakes. The “Iron Duke” generates 87hp and 126 ft/lbs of torque, and while neither figure sounds impressive by modern standards, the low-end torque delivery made that engine ideal in off-road situations. It was also perfect for toddling around a mobile home park with the motor barely above tick-over. The seller doesn’t mention verifying evidence for the mileage claim, although given its extraordinary nature, you would probably expect to receive some. The vehicle is in generally good health, running and driving well. They say that the engine occasionally splutters, believing it may be a vacuum leak that remains untraced. Otherwise, it appears this classic needs nothing.

If the claims made by the current owner of this 1980 Jeep CJ-5 are accurate, it is an exceptional find. The odometer reading equates to less than ninety accumulated miles per year, and the average person will walk that distance in a few weeks. They have listed the Jeep here on eBay in Birmingham, Michigan. It appears a few people wish to give it a new home, with twelve bids pushing the price to $7,902. That is below the reserve, although there is a BIN figure of $15,200 for those wishing to bypass the auction process. Would you hit the button, or is taking a chance via the auction process more your style? It will be fascinating to learn whether we have any readers who might consider taking the next step. If you do and are successful, I’m sure we’d all like to know if this CJ-5 is all that the seller claims.