Just as Pontiac is given credit (most of the time) for starting the muscle car era, I think we can safely say that Willys/Jeep kickstarted the Sports Utility Vehicle craze way back in the mid-1940s. It wasn’t until 1963, however, that they really created the archetypal SUV, the classic Wagoneer: Its styling is almost faultless given its intended purpose. While all Wagoneers are desirable, there’s always something appealing about the earliest of the breed, and this one is a barn-find family heirloom. The seller’s grandfather bought it on Staten Island in 1967 with 12,630 miles on the odometer, and after being used almost exclusively on the “100-acre family property,” it now has only 20,031 miles on it. You can tell by the pictures that it’s a long-dormant rehabilitation project, but it’s well worth the effort. Barn Finder Zappenduster found it here on Marketplace in New Marlborough, Massachusetts, with an asking price of $10,500.
Although it hasn’t run for over 15 years, and it hasn’t been driven for well over 30, the neat and short-lived 230-cubic-inch “Tornado” overhead-cam six spins freely. When running, it produces 140 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque, and in the case of this Wagoneer, that power is sent to the rear wheels through a Warner Gear T-90 three-speed manual. The transfer case is a Spicer Model 20, and the rear end is a Dana 44 with a standard 4.89:1 axle ratio (!), with 3.73:1 and 4.27:1 optional.
The Jeep’s exterior appears to be a nice dark shade of “Parade Blue,” and the interior is also blue, just as you hoped it would be.
It could certainly use a new mat (or carpet if you want to splurge), and the clutch pedal lying on the floor tells me that you’ll be dealing with the driveline a little bit once you get the engine running.
The Jeep will come with Grandpa’s “handwritten service log,” which covers 1967 to 1976 and mentions that the Wagoneer was driven to Mill River, Massachusetts, almost immediately after it was purchased.
Being a truck from the great New England region, one must inquire about rust; it’s not mentioned at all in the ad, which means that prospective buyers will need to look it over themselves or get an inspection from a third-party. On the other hand, although pictures sometimes lie, those that we can see don’t indicate a rotten Jeep. Therefore, those from the Northeast might want to get their trailers ready, because this looks like a pretty nice original Wagoneer.
Really cool first generation Wagoneer. Looks like the truck was originally purchased in Massapequa, NY which is on Long Island. I wonder if the original Staten Island owner bought it new on Long Island, or was already the second owner.
No, not really another SJ bashing, but when I was looking for a vehicle, THIS is what I wanted, and foolishly thought the AMC knockoff would equate. To be blunt, the SJ was, for me, a poor representation of this vehicle,this outstanding in almost every way. The SJ, not so much. The motor needs to be talked about more. It was military grade( 1967-1969) and used in Vietnam. It was unique in that, it was the 1st mass produced OHC motor in the US, a hemi, and utilized one cam to actuate intake and exhaust. Apparently, AMC went with their tried and true pushrod 6, and some say the Tornado was an oil burner and expensive to make. What ever happened to maintenance “logs” like that? Vehicles have gotten to the point, there’s no need for that. Someday ( soon) cars won’t have hood releases, just a warning sticker, “See dealer, you have no business under the hood”,,,and a far cry from a ’64 Wagoneer. What an unbelievable find.
No room in the stable or else this would be mine. Such a great find. This would be so fun to tinker with and get it running to take to cars and coffee. Or maybe out for an afternoon in the vineyard or ice crean.