BF Classified: 1973 Jeep Commando C104

Update 4/18/20 – Eric has lowered his asking price to $5,900! He also added more photos of it, so take a look here on BF Classifieds if you’re interested.

From 10/24/19 – Jeep has always had a fairly well-defined design language that goes all the way back to the very first Willys Jeeps. Right? Well, there have been a few Jeep outliers that don’t quite look like the Wrangler. One of the more distinct and unusual of those Jeeps has to be the Jeep Commando C104 that you see here. Being a 1973 means that this one is likely one of the last ones built before the Cherokee took the Commando’s place in the Jeep lineup. Reader Eric H has decided it’s time to part ways with this interesting and rare 4×4. If you’d love to have it, you can find it in Cary, North Carolina for $7,900 $5,900. You can message Eric with questions or offers via the form below!

AMC bought Kaiser, then Jeep’s parent company, in 1970 and initially they left the Jeepster Commando alone. For whatever reason, in 1972 they changed the name to just Commando, lengthened the wheelbase and redesigned the front end to make more room for their inline-six and V8 engines. While those might all sound like good things, it hurt sales significantly and by ’73, they decided to drop the Commando from their lineup. Who would have thought buyers would want their Jeep to look like a Jeep and to be powered by either the well known Hurricane I4 or Dauntless V6?

With about 20k C104s being built between ’72 and ’73, this is actually a pretty rare SUV. Ford built over 21k Broncos in ’73 alone and International cranked out over 34k Scout IIs that same year. While rarity doesn’t necessarily equate to desirability, but these are starting to gain interest. They offer all the off-roading capabilities you expect from a Jeep, but in a truly unique looking design, and are still reasonably priced compared to the Broncos and Scouts it competed with when new!

From Eric – This is a barn find from Georgia estate that I bought as a project car. I believe it to have just 63K original miles. It ran nicely from the start once I replaced the gas and the filter/lines and plugs. It needed brakes so I put a new conversion disc brake set on the front (from Just Jeepsters), new brake lines, and new brake drums and shoes in back, a new starter and alternator. I also added new tires and a new Bestop soft top (has hardtop in good shape) that I would also sell with it, and I have all the hardware for that. Be sure to check out his Classified Ad for more details!

It isn’t perfect, but Eric’s Commando looks like a really great buy! AMC’s 4.2-liter inline-six is an amazingly durable engine with plenty of performance potential if that’s what you are into. Given the mileage, I’d be inclined to leave this one alone and just drive it. With proper maintenance, it will run for years without any issues. Fix any issues, detail it inside and out, and you’ll have a nice rig to drive that will stand out from all the other Jeeps on the road!

Comments

  1. Avatar Mark

    Amazing how the grille looks like a GM product…..

    Like 8
  2. Avatar Wildbill

    I had a ’73 with a 304/auto. Good times! Front end always reminded me of a early bronco.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar minicoopermk1

    Same here. I thought at first they’d put up the wrong photo.

    Like 2
    • Avatar chrlsful

      WoW, just so different i can;t understand this. 2 sim comments? Humm – is it being around these since new? 38 yrs bronk ownership? A combo? I know I could tell the difference between an entry model and the upscale of the same vehicle from 150 yards as a kid; can’t tell the difference btw a honda and kia (well may B those) until on the lift now – but these guys are v e r y different…
      Rather have the 258/4.1 than the 304 any off rd day (tq lower in the RPMs than the bent8).

      Like 0
  4. Avatar idbugeye

    Unlikely to be a 258/4.2. 258 not available in the U.S. ATT. Should be a 232/3.8. BTW the 232 is how that engine series was originally designed, as told to me by one of the engine design engineers.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Blyndgesser

    @idbugeye: according to the 1973 Jeep brochure linked below, the 258 was indeed offered in the Commando as the first step up from the standard 232. http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/jeep/73jp/bilder/14.jpg

    Like 2
    • Avatar Tesla209

      And gentlemen, @idbugeye andBlyndgesser are finding out the truth, debunking the legends. Thank you both keep it up, this is another reason I love this site

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Michael Ridley

    In a day when broncos bring 40.000 I think this can be just as much fun and has some room to make a few bucks while you enjoy it

    Like 1
  7. Avatar jack weese

    trade 30 ft offshore boat for jeep

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Jim Jeffrey

    Trade 1 2001 Audi TT hardtop, 105,000 miles. Interested?

    Like 0

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