For 1979, Jeep offered its Cherokee in three models, a four-door, a two-door, and a “wide-wheel” two-door. They also came in three different appearance packages: the Cherokee S, or Sport package, the Cherokee Chief, and the Cherokee Golden Eagle. This 1979 Jeep Cherokee Golden Eagle is posted here on craigslist in Rainer, Washington, and they’re asking $8,750. Here is the original listing.
It’s hard to argue with this Cherokee Golden Eagle, despite its somewhat rugged look. There is some rust, although nothing like we would see in the upper-Midwest or Northeast parts of the U.S., and it’s all repairable. From 1974 through 1983, AMC produced the full-sized Cherokee and offered a two-door version, similar to what was available on the former full-sized Wagoneer.
Having 4WD, two doors, and the biggest V8 engine available for this model, I don’t know what isn’t to like here. Even though it’s a project, it’s less than 16 feet long so it isn’t huge, lengthwise, and would be doable in even a single-car garage if a person were dedicated to restoring this one. The seller mentions them going for more than $90,000, but this one has a replacement engine, so that may hurt the value a bit. The rear window appears to be out and in the cargo area, I’d want to get this vehicle inside, pronto! This one has had a minor lift kit installed and has Wagoneer side-view mirrors.
There aren’t many interior photos but you can see the level of work that needs to be done inside, too. It’s a full strip-to-shell restoration inside. Most of us could do that, but it’s always daunting to start a big project like this. The back seat looks good, if a bit discolored, and the rear cargo area is hard to assess, and some of the details look a bit rough. Again, this one appears to be very restorable for most Barn Finds readers. I wish we had underside photos to see how much rust there is, hopefully it’s just surface rust underneath.
The engine is a 360-cu.in. OHV V8 and it isn’t original, according to the seller. They say that it’s a “similar Jeep engine” and it hasn’t been running in a little over a year since the brakes went bad, but hopefully it’ll be on the road again in the future. Any thoughts on this Cherokee Golden Eagle?
Wide Track, not “wide wheel” is what these were…and a little research would tell you that $90K is a never met bar for these. VIN says it came from the factory with a 360 2bbl so that’s likely what is still in there as a replacement. The Golden Eagle package came with the bird, special interior and paint. The brush guard was a tick on the option sheet as was the extra fuel tank. These did not come with “larger wheels.” All full sizers ran 15″ rims. These did come with color matched wagon wheels though. And checking the Wide Track option did not get you a “upgraded interior” and the only exterior “upgrade” was the addition of flares (which commonly rust…like this truck’s) to accommodate the longer axles.
The Levis interiors generally didn’t hold up very well and the seats in this one look typical for the age. Also that pretty old gas stain under the cap is what happens when an owner doesn’t care to wipe up the “kickback” spills…these older rigs (and a lot of older vehicles) will often kick back the fuel from the newer high speed pumps.
All that said, the lister is out of line with his ask. This is a project with a filthy engine compartment, ratty seats, missing headliner…and rust. The seller clearly thinks that he’s sitting on a gold mine, but the only gold in this one is the color of the stripe kit.
Totally agree. Asking aint getting.
WJNS, that’s what I would have thought, but if Jeep’s marketing team is wrong, then what is the world coming to?!
Page 11 shows it listed as “wide-wheel”, not wide-track.
https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/1979-Jeep.pdf
I need info for the jeep 1979 eagle !!
There is a reason for no under pics,it’s called Rot/Crumbling/etc .
Someone who’d pay 90k for one of these needs their head examined!!
Putting the work into this Jeep to bring it back (from the dead) could prove to be a worthy project that could make a handsome profit in a resale. However, ONLY if you can get it for $3K or less. I said “from the dead”, because anyone who doesn’t give you the important details on a car they’re selling is because they are selling a corpse. — It’s probably riddled with rust on the undercarriage – even if is just surface rust – it has to be dealt with properly or the vehicle will eventually become worthless – and just that part of the restoration project ain’t cheap. The big bird on the hood won’t survive – as the vehicle needs to be taken down to the primer and repainted — professionally. The big bird applique isn’t available anymore – although a good car body artist could put it back by hand – at a premium price! — The engine bay proves everything needs to be pulled out of there – and either rebuilt or replaced. — Just look at the shade tree patchwork on the radiator hose – which is totally backwoods ridiculous since a radiator hose is the least expensive thing under the hood — and that tells the story quite loudly about the entire vehicle. It will also need a full replacement brake job. And then the interior needs to be gutted down to the metal and redone. All of this can be done and come out with a rare survivor that would be worth some big bucks – but ONLY if the you start with a little scratch paid for the vehicle before you tear into it.
The amount of money it would take to repair the rust on this bucket ( if you could find a metal fabricator who is willing to do it at a premium because most if not all auto body shops won’t touch it) would be substantial, believe me, I know in doing the rust repair on my Monte Carlo. Not to mention all the other work this would require to bring it back from its almost inevitable fate to to the bone yard, if say 4500 at the most, and that’s being generous…..
I’m the owner of this Jeep. Thanks for all the insight and comments. I’m not mechanically savvy and this is really helpful.
I can’t post pictures of the underside, I’m not a member. If you want pics let me know. Someone came out to look at it yesterday and mentioned the frame was in decent condition.
Hi Robert, thanks for popping in. I hope my earlier comment didn’t come off as disrespectful. I know these vehicles in out up and down. I’ve had the busted knuckles, grease up to my elbows, and plenty of head bashes from the “yellow beak of pain” (the hood latch…lol) to earn my degree in “full size Jeep.”
Yours may have good bones, but it is certainly a project that is going to take a lot of love (and hate) and a lot of money to get back to presentable condition at worst. Just my opinion…we all have them…but I think if you lowered your ask you would get a lot more serious interest.
I’m glad you don’t pull your punches. It doesn’t offend me when someone says it like they see it. Thanks for your honesty.
I fixed the major problems. Repaired the battery cable, replaced the battery and bled the brakes and took it for a test drive today. I videoed the test drive. If you would like to see it, here’s the link;
https://youtu.be/FhxRfnBUX5U
Had a Cheroke Chief this same color. Interior was a matching copper/tan combo and very nice. Absolutely loved that rig…except on right hand turns. It had, I believe, a Buick six with horrible valve cover gaskets causing the oil to pool on the intake and run onto the exhaust manifold “smoking” out the inside of the car. I installed aftermarket gaskets with special washers and additional bolts for a better seal. Didn’t help. Reluctantly I traded it in. Maybe should have done an engine swap? Great rig…crappy engine.
Hi Robert, I watched the video and I will say that it does look to drive typical for the model…a little ‘sloppy’ in the steering on straight roads. Typical like I said. I’m concerned at the sound of the engine while it’s idling but that could just be the video uptake.
Also, here is a nice example of a Wide Track Chief at auction where you can see a relative comp for value. It *shows* as a high mileage vehicle but I doubt very much it has reached that mileage without an engine refresh at minimum. No it’s not a Golden Eagle but there’s only so much added value that can be squeezed out of a trim package.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-jeep-cherokee-chief/
That is a beautiful Chief. Had I had the money, I would’ve restored mine to showroom quality like this one. But mine has been sold to someone who loves this style Jeep as much as I do.
Hello Scotty . I want to buy the car pls contact me