Jamboree Edition: 1982 Jeep CJ-7

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The concept of Jeep building Wranglers with an assortment of factory off-road gear and appearance packages is nothing new. While modern-day Jeepers covet the Rubicon and Willys editions, the Jamboree edition was the one to have if you were shopping for a top-shelf Wrangler in 1982. Rarer still are the very few trucks that were painted a color other than Topaz Gold Metallic, and the seller claims this example here on eBay is one of just 70 examples to wear Olympic White paint.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader Ikey H. for the find. This Jamboree edition is far from perfect, but the rarity of the model – enhanced by the rarity of the color – surely make it a truck worth restoring. Like so many other domestic special editions at the time, you still had to pony up more cash to get the cool brush guard and winch bumper, and that’s after paying a premium for a one-of-630 Jamboree edition. This example wears the brush guard and may have had a winch at one time, but it’s not present here.

The Jeep came with the venerable 258 inline-six, which is described as “remanufactured” here. I’m not sure what that means, as reman units are usually aftermarket-quality products. A rebuilt engine would be fine, but reman’d has a different meaning entirely. Regardless, the seller says it runs well and that the T5 manual it’s paired to is shifting quite smoothly at the moment. No issues with the transfer case, either. Brakes, clutch, and axles are all said to be healthy.

The interior is quite tidy, but I’m not sure how original it is. The Jambos left the factory with black buckets and gold inserts, which were intended to tie into the Topaz paintjob. Since this one is white, perhaps the interior color schemes were different? Rust is the biggest issue here, with the front floorpans needing work and a bad spot on the rear frame rail needing replacement. Still, as the seller points out, this is a great foundation for restoring a seriously rare Jeep.

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Comments

  1. Dennis Marth

    Just a small point of clarification. The term “Wrangler” was a designation by Chrysler starting in 1987. Prior to that time, Jeeps had CJ models, made by AMC.

    Many Jeep fans consider the 1986 AMC Jeeps to be the last of the “real” Jeeps.

    Like 12
    • Todd Zuercher

      You beat me to it – no Wranglers in 1982.

      Like 6
    • Matthew munson

      Actually on March 11th,1987 Chrysler took over the AMC Jeep. My 1987 wrangler is titled and registered AMC.

      Like 0
  2. FordGuy1972 FordGuy1972

    I can’t see $20k for this CJ-7. Sure it’s a desirable model but it’s got a lot of miles on it, it needs rust repair including to the frame, the winch is gone, the seats need recovering and the chrome bumpers need re-chroming. Plus, it has a remanufactured motor. Does that mean a rebuilt original or a rebuilt NOM? I once owned an ’81 CJ-7 and while it was a fun rig to play around with, getting parts for it was always a challenge. It seemed AMC used whatever they had in the parts bin when they made it as quite often when I picked up a part from a dealer, it was different from what was on my Jeep.

    Apparently, this 1982 Jeep CJ-7 Jamboree is the Holy Grail for Jeep fans so maybe the ask is fair. Not worth it to me but I’m not a Jeep fanatic.

    Like 2
  3. Lance Nord

    I have this identical vehicle (with a factory winch). 1982 Jamboree, same color… but an automatic. The body is beat up, but the frame and floorpans are in excellent condition. The tire cover is roached… I wonder if I can get a duplicate made? It’s on my list to soon be restored. One thing it won’t have after restoration is the Carter carb.

    Like 3
    • Stephen Booke

      Hey lance,

      You can get a reproduction tire cover made by Eric Bickel. He runs the 82jambo website as I’m sure you already know about. I have an automatic White Jamboree too and that’s what I run on mine. You’d be a lucky man to find a NOS jamboree tire cover in this day and age.

      Like 1

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