49,000 miles aren’t a lot to have accumulated on a vehicle, especially when the vehicle, like this 1978 Jeep Wagoneer, is almost four-and-a-half decades old. That’s around 1,100 miles a year on average over the last 44 years. The seller has this nice-looking original 4×4 posted here on craigslist in Evergreen, Colorado and they’re asking $16,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for sending in this tip!
The Wagoneer is a current hot vehicle, and this one is priced very well, right between Hagerty’s #4 fair and #3 good condition value. It sure seems like it’s closer to good+ to me, rather than fair, how about you? Especially if it’s as original as the owner says and as nice in person as the photos show it to be. The seller says that the paint is original as far as they know, and the underside looks solid, with the usual surface rust.
They were made from late 1962 for the 1963 model year up until, well, it was an on-again/off-again model that went away and came back more times than a classic rock band appearing at 1,500-seat casino venues. “Hey, whatever happened to ___ ___ (insert random hair band here), they seemed to disappear.” “No, they’re playing at ____ ____ (insert random casino name here)” I like classic rock music as much as the next person, but I’d rather have this Wagoneer. The seller says that there is some “cosmetic” rust by the rear wheels and some faded paint by the gas door.
The interior appears to be in outstanding condition. The seats look perfect and that plaid pattern is so classic mid/late-1970s that it makes me weep like a child. I wouldn’t have a clue how to drive this Wagoneer without a 19-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dash, what is this thing, from the stone age?! Obviously, I’m kidding, I’m not a fan of heavily-modern vehicles with all of those things. The only luxury that I like is power windows, for some reason. You can have the GPS and heated cup holders and all of that stuff. The transmission should be a GM-sourced THM-400 automatic.
The seller refers to this engine as an AMC V8, but not which one it is. Is this a 360 or 401? If it’s a 360, is there a two-barrel or four-barrel carb under that air cleaner? They don’t give a VIN and I don’t know, but one of you will. We have many Jeep/AMC experts in the Barn Finds family of readers. In any case, it sure looks good and they say that it runs well but has a minor head gasket leak. The oil doesn’t make it to the ground but I’d want to fix that. Otherwise, this looks like a good deal. Thoughts?
First…the J-Series (original in-house code for the line; SJ was a later adoption) was launched in 1962, not 1963. At the time, the company was called Willys Motors. 1963 was the rechristening of the company as Kaiser-Jeep.
I have seen an early Wagoneer builder’s plate, and it had the Willys name in script, as was the company style then.
Second point: I could be wrong here, but I believe the Turbo-HydraMatic went away about 1972. With AMC’s purchase of Kaiser-Jeep, AMC was trying to phase out as much of the GM content as was possible. The Buick 350 went away the first year, replaced by the lower-performing AMC 360. With the CJ/C-103 engine bays, the Kaiser V-6, formerly the Buick unit, was discontinued in favor of the grossly heavy, longer AMC six.
What replaced the THC was the TorqueFlite. It was no loss for the Jeep, as the Chrysler box was as durable as any. But that would explain the harsh shifting – something the TorqueFlite was known for.
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Jeep/1962_Jeep/1962_Jeep_Wagoneer_Brochure/dirindex.html
The “Turbo 400” hung on considerably longer than ’72. My old man had a ’77 Cherokee with one, and about fifteen years back I briefly owned a ’79 that was likewise equipped.
An ’86 Wagoneer also passed through my hands in the decade prior. Don’t recall what trans that had, though I vaguely recall it may have been yet another THM.
JustPassinThru:
Everything that I found on the “first model year” listed them as being produced in late 1962 for the 1963 model year, including Jeep.com which would seem to know a thing or two about the brand. I’ll let the Jeep experts weigh in on both points – the first “model year” (not when they were first made), and the transmission. The THM-400 is what is listed on Automobile-Catalog.com specs:
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1978/1306160/jeep_wagoneer_360_v-8_2-bbl__quadra-trac_hydra-matic.html#gsc.tab=0
My apologies if I was wrong in either of those things.
History isn’t clear on that. And the present owners of Jeep are as much in the dark as anyone, I’d wager.
No auto brand/division (including designs, facilities, actual plants) had gone through as many ownership changes as Jeep has. From Willys, to Kaiser Industries, to American Motors…yada yada. I suspect a LOT of historical knowledge has been lost, especially with the liquidation of Kaiser Industries in the hurried settling of Henry Kaiser’s estate for taxes.
Remember, also, in year 1962, the auto industry was essentially unregulated. The only Federal regulations that existed, covered lighting – sealed-beam headlights were mandated. Model years were a marketing tool used as hype to move new models. A staged event, every September.
International Harvester later made an ad campaign as to why they were adopting model year designations, in 1970. (“The 1970 International Truck – We didn’t want to do it!”) Until then, in most states, model years were assigned by either the dealer’s bill of sale or by the year the title was first issued.
As to Jeep: I’m knowledgeable about them because I’ve owned several, but it started with my father’s purchase of a 1969 (allegedly) Wagoneer. Contrary to today’s opinions, Jeep was neither unprofitable nor unpopular in those days – there was a waiting list for products. My old man had to wait three months to get one.
(Part of the reason for this was, with Henry Kaiser’s 1967 death, the future of the whole Kaiser empire was up in question, due to estate taxes; and no one knew whether Jeep would be sold, run as an independent…or how it would comply with the coming safety and emissions standards.)
The dealer’s brochures were undated by model year, but some of them were clearly obsoleted. One still promoted the (AMC) 327 engine as the top choice – by this time, the superior Buick 350 was the V8. No date, not even of printing, were noted in the brochures.
We got our “1969.” It had been traded from another dealer, out-of-state, and moved by drive-away (with the speedometer disconnected; again, no laws against that, not then). The “1969” did not have side marker lights or reflectors on the rear – two new 1969 requirements. Later Wagoneers seen about, DID have both those. We obviously were sold a 1968 as a 1969 (not a 1967, as those had 327s).
So. When did the Wagoneer hit the market? Mid-year 1962? Whenever Willys Motors decided everything was ready?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Minor head gasket leak can become major dollars.
“Splat”,, Great, another laptop ruined, oh, I know, I go ’round and ’round with satisfied Cherokee owners, I had just the worst luck with this Jeep. Who cares what motor it is, it will suck gas like _____, well, you can fill in the blank. Mine was the 6, and while not the best mileage either, probably just a better way to go. I liked the truck, it’s why I bought it, but it quickly began to fail, electrical bugaboos, mostly, and some have the gall to say Lucas was bad. EVERY electrical accessory failed, also window regulators, seat adjustment, and the “Quadra-Trac” switch in the glovebox, made a hissing sound, but didn’t seem to do anything else. I know, I rip on people that make generalizations that all of a particular vehicle they ( or their old man) had trouble with, are bad. It’s no mystery, AMC “cheaped up” the Kaiser Wagoneer, a much better vehicle, and AMC just happened to be in the right place at the right time with these. Ads claim, I believe Jeep was the 1st to use “SUV” with these, and look where it went. People laugh, but AMC wasn’t so off the wall after all.
This brown Wagoneer is exact down to the hubcaps another wagon Dad would buy. Many Jeeps and Willys wagons where put to work plowing snow and family chores!
Moderator, is it allowed to thank everyone here for sharing all of this fabulous info they have acquired over the years? I absolutely LOVE how much I learn each post about the automobiles I used to take for granted for so long! I used to learn all of this stuff from my dad and grandpop, who owned a Signal station till early 80s when gran passed; Dad recently went home to be with his parents again, and I only have you guys now to continue my education, but I’m so grateful for you all! Thanks again!
Robin, of course, it’s ok! Every one of us, the writers included, learn so much from the readers and their great comments. Not to mention, the wonderful stories and memories. That’s what this hobby is all about for most of us, reliving a time that a lot of us wouldn’t mind going back to, and using these old vehicles (even if they’re a log house!) to dig up those old memories. My condolences on the loss of your dad, it’s never easy to lose a loved one. Thanks for being a part of the Barn Finds family!