This one caught my eye because you don’t expect to see the words “Jeep” and “Tuxedo” used in the same sentence, much less in an actual Jeep model name. The Jeep CJ-6A Tuxedo Park Mark IV is a mouthful. It’s also a rare Jeep because Jeep’s attempt to gussy up a rugged Jeep with chrome trim and more comfy seats and go after the burgeoning youth market (the Tuxedo Park was advertised as “a new idea in sports cars”) just didn’t gain traction in the mid-1960s, no pun intended. Less than 500 of the longer wheelbase CJ-6A’s were produced (most Tuxedo Parks rode the shorter wheelbase 5A), so featuring an unmolested one like this yellow number is a treat. Located in the Los Angeles, California area, this ’65 Jeep CJ-6A Tuxedo Park Mark IV is for sale here on craigslist for $22,500. A big shoutout to our pal, Pat L, for sending this rare Jeep our way.

Originally sold new at the Desert Rambler Jeep dealership in Indio, California, it’s fortunately been in sunny California all of its life. Not much else is shared about the Jeep’s history other than it reportedly spent some time at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego as a guest shuttle vehicle. The yellow paint on this Tuxedo Park looks very presentable as does the chrome front bumper and charming yellow-and-white striped Acapulco top and matching tire cover. The seller states that new period correct off-road tires have been recently added.

There aren’t many photos of the interior and the seller describes it as “fairly new and good quality.” I’d agree with that description and don’t see any wear or tear on the one photo of the rear bench seat. The seller also says that he “spent a couple thousand dollars on the brakes and some other miscellaneous things so the Jeep is ready to enjoy.”  Also included in the sale is a tow bar that bolts onto the front bumper.

Although a Dauntless V6 engine option was available in 1965, this Tuxedo Park has the standard Hurricane 134-cubic inch inline four cylinder engine that generated 75 horsepower at 4000 rpm. It is mated to a three-speed manual transmission on the column. The seller is unsure of the actual miles.

Have you ever seen one of these? In hindsight, the youth market that Jeep was trying to pursue in the mid-60s had Mustangs on their minds, not a longer Jeep with chrome trim. Nonetheless, Jeep’s marketing team still positioned the Tuxedo Park Mark IV as a “new and different, stylish sports car that does everything and goes everyplace like a Jeep will…but it’s nicer to look at – and even more fun to drive.” It was wishful thinking in 1965, but stylish, sportier, more fun-to-drive Jeeps would appear a few decades later and be highly successful. And thankfully, they wouldn’t come under the moniker of “Tuxedo Park.”