New car buyers are currently spoiled for choice if they decide to walk into a showroom to purchase a luxury SUV. It seems that almost every manufacturer will offer something to fulfill their needs, but vehicles like this 1983 Jeep Wagoneer Limited almost defined that market segment. Buyers were left wanting little in the way of creature comforts, which is undeniably the case with our feature classic. It presents honestly as a survivor, has a low odometer reading, and is listed with No Reserve. That makes this Wagoneer worth a close look.
There’s a lot to consider when assessing this 1983 Wagoneer, but describing it as a survivor is a fair call. The seller indicates that its Almond Beige paint is original, with the vehicle never receiving repairs or restoration. It holds a pleasant shine, and the faux woodgrain looks surprisingly good for its age. Physical damage and age deterioration can sometimes prove an obstacle because obtaining a respectable match between older and new vinyl can be challenging. However, it appears the winning bidder won’t face that problem. The Jeep isn’t perfect, because its panels sport a few minor bumps and bruises. Performing a cosmetic restoration would be straightforward, but I would probably consult one of those paintless dent repair companies to see if they could address the shortcomings. It would undoubtedly be cheaper than handing the vehicle to a paint shop, and the results might be pretty respectable. This Wagoneer is a dry-climate classic. It is located in California, occupying a location that has kept it away from salt air on one hand and snow on the other. Therefore, its rust-free status is unsurprising. The glass, trim, and wheels are in good order, and the first owner selected a factory sunroof to allow plenty of fresh air to find its way inside this Jeep.
Jeep left virtually no stone unturned to provide 1983 Wagoneer Limited buyers with a luxurious motoring experience. New owners drove away in a vehicle featuring leather and cloth trim, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, six-way power front seats, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player. This Jeep retains virtually all of those features, although the factory stereo has made way for a more modern unit. The overall condition is indicative of a classic that has been treated respectfully. The seats look excellent, and the carpet is surprisingly free from wear and stains. The dash and pad haven’t succumbed to UV damage, and the A/C blows ice-cold. The seller doesn’t mention any functional issues, suggesting that everything works as it should.
One shortcoming in the listing is the seller’s decision not to include any engine photos. However, this isn’t the end of the world, because we know this Wagoneer features AMC’s 360ci V8, delivering 140hp and 228 ft/lbs of torque. A three-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties, feeding the power to the road utilizing the company’s “Selec-Trac” system. This feature allowed the driver to flick between two and four-wheel drive utilizing a dash-mounted switch. It was far more civilized than a lever sticking out of the transmission tunnel and seems appropriate in a luxury SUV. The seller claims this Jeep has a genuine 56,000 miles on its odometer without mentioning verifying evidence. The Wagoneer runs and drives perfectly, which is confirmed by this YouTube video. The 360 springs to life the moment the key is turned, and there is no evidence of smoke or odd noises. It tracks straight and true on the road, with none of the rattles or squeaks that often develop with age.
You could walk into your local Jeep dealership today and drive away in a shiny new Jeep Grand Wagoneer, secure in the knowledge that it would offer a luxurious ownership experience. However, you would pay dearly for the privilege, because even the most basic model will lighten your wallet by $81,000. The seller listed this 1983 Wagoneer Limited here on eBay in Madera, California. It has received a solitary bid of $10,000, and with No Reserve as a barrier, it will find a new home in a few days. That leaves potential buyers with a choice. They could splash the cash on a new Jeep and face the specter of rapid depreciation, or spend considerably less on this Wagoneer, a vehicle that is experiencing steadily climbing value. I know which I’d choose. What about you?
The Grand Wagoneer is the easiest vehicle for me to get into and out of, by far. They have never been truly reliable like a Toyota or Honda but there’s no doubting the engineering effort was top-tier. May the new owner enjoy this ride for years.
Unlike Wranglers, these SJs to me are like the “Sapporo” to Challenger fans, you’d like to forget it. Aside from my personal bad experience with this style, like the Rokon ATV, you had to start somewhere. Jeep threw everything they had at the time into these. People wanting such a vehicle, just had to put up with its problems. Electrical, dismal gas mileage, serious rustlers, poor assembly issues, just for starters. Just about every company jumped on the cushy SUV bandwagon, making these seem horribly dated. At the time, however, probably the nicest 4×4 wagon you could buy, at $16,899 almost $5grand more than a Ford Bronco, it had better be.
Serious rustlers?
Seriously, you probably meant rusters. :)
Odd the glove box is in the middle of the dash.
Yea, all the J trucks and Waggies were that way. It’s a Jeep thing, you wouldn’t understand lol!
It is interesting to me to review the Wagoneer in the context of the automotive market. It starts in the early 60’s as a full-size four-door four-wheel-drive; a nice vehicle but nothing particularly fancy about it. By twenty-plus years later it has morphed into a luxury offering, of sorts, like this example. Then that market took off, with current entries from Cadillac, Lincoln, Lexus, Range Rover, et al (and yes Jeep), all costing more than $100k. (Which are huge profit makers.) So, this Wagoneer was, in a sense, a trailblazer of a current popular automotive segment.
And now there’s a “cottage industry” that will buy one like this, do a little work to it and then sell it for $50k+.
Crazy considering many car lots wouldn’t take these in on trade.
I love the size and utilitarianism of these, but like every thing else, prices are overblown.
You should sit down with a strong drink before you see what they want for these …
https://wagonmaster.com/collections/grand-wagoneer-vehicles
lol
I have always liked the Wagoner. I had a Cherakee.
Wish I still had my 84 that we put all chevy big block stuff under. Divorce causes bad stuff.