I think you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who wouldn’t be happy to own a classic Jeep Wagoneer; after all, it’s in some ways the originator of the modern luxury SUV, but without the baggage that comes with too many touchscreens and seats that will give you a back massage. Although my Wagoneer sweet spot is the 1967-72 range, it would be hard to pass up a 90,000-mile original as clean as this 1980 model. Offered here on eBay in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, the Wagoneer is a “true barn find from California” that has been rehabilitated for the road. The high bid is currently $13,500, which has unsurprisingly not yet met the reserve.
Engine choices in 1980 were limited to a 258-cubic-inch AMC six or this 360-cubic-inch AMC V8 with a two-barrel carburetor (the 360 was actually the standard engine). The seller has “spent [five] years getting it right” by treating it to the following repairs and maintenance:
- Fuel tank cleaning
- Rebuilt carburetor
- Complete brake job (with a restored original booster and master cylinder)
- Complete tune-up
- New power steering gearbox
- New hoses, thermostat, and water pump
- New battery cables and ground straps
- Transmission and transfer case servicing
As a result of the owner’s ministrations, “everything works, including all gauges, the A/C, cruise control, and all [five] power windows”; the window relays were replaced with new ones from BJ’s Full-Size Jeep Parts. The interior is unbelievably clean, and it has to be all original; the carpet appears to be straight out of 1980, and it has clearly been recently shampooed and vacuumed. I don’t see any cracks in the dash or tears in the seats; the driver’s seat looks barely used.
Even the oft-worn load floor carpet has survived the last 46 years with aplomb. One of the more shocking statistics about the Jeep Wagoneer is its overall length, just 183.5 inches, about the same length as a second-generation Corvair or a first-generation Mustang. How is a truck this compact this useful?
That’s the magic of the Wagoneer. It’s smaller than it looks, plenty big on the inside, plenty powerful with its 360 V8, and ready for almost anything with four-wheel-drive. Sure, some may be turned off by its paint color, one of no fewer than four colors that could be considered brown (Alpaca Brown Metallic, Dark Brown Metallic, Caramel, and Russet, which, to be fair, is probably more red than brown). I’d say this one is “Dark Brown,” but it’s so shiny and immaculate that even those who hate the color have to give this Jeep its due. It’ll be tough to find a nicer one.
This Jeep just ticks all the boxes. I actually love the factory wheel covers and white wall tires. Truth be told, I wouldn’t touch a thing. I think its phenomenal. All that work that went into too really shows the owner actually cared. It definitely does not reflect the miles on the odometer.
Someone thought so Dave…. gone 👋
This is one of the cleanest Grand Wagoneer’s that I have seen in a while. Do nothing to this one leave it as is.
i had one shoulda never sold it
Me too. Had an older one, with the American Motors 327 and a manual transmission. I have never had a more capable 4wd vehicle.
I had a serious sj/fsj addiction back around the turn of the century. My tastes have changed a bit but still have a soft spot for these. They’re all nice but I prefer the wags without wood and Cherokees. Solid well build Jeeps. This one’s decent.
looks clean if you’re into these. hated working on them.
Hubby and I had a 1972 Wagoneer back in the mid 90s. Gold color, Blackwell tires, very basic model. No carpet, no power anything except for the rear tailgate window, p/s, p/b. Had the V-8 although I dont know which one. AM/FM radio, auto.
Im not sure if I like these all luxuried up. The basic workhorse was such a great addition to our growing family of cars. I like the manual locking hubs.
The only problem we had with it was the rust in the rear quarters above and behind the rear wheels.
I had put 1975 Cadillac train horns in it and trust me, people got out of my way!