You have to love vintage cars and trucks that featured period graphics kits where the colors and stripes still look like brand new. That’s certainly the case with this 1980 Jeep J10 “Honcho” edition, which has supposedly been in storage and in the care of an elderly couple. Find it here on craigslist near Los Angeles with an $8,800 asking price, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Taylor W for the find.
So, the Honcho package was purely decorative in nature, but it appears this J10 got all the goodies you could buy. The side graphics, the roll bar with driving lamps, and the Levi’s interior were all boxes that could be checked when ordering the Honcho. Short-beds and stepsides were the only trucks available with the Honcho options.
The stepsides are far more rare, but this shortbed is still desirable for the impressive, time warp-like condition it remains in. The dash is cracked but the bench seat looks nicely preserved. The carpets appear clean, and this Honcho is made extra brawny with a the much-preferred manual transmission. The seller notes it runs and drives well enough as-is.
That’s always a tricky area for determining value: yes, you could use it as-is, but would you be able to drive it for a month or a year before it developed needs of the mechanical kind? More information is needed to make an informed decision, but things do look to be in pretty good order under the hood. Would a Jeep with the Honcho dress-up kit land on your “buy” list?
Super cool to say the least !! Love these trucks
Good price if it is as good as it appears…not much rust in the usual suspects: Tail light corners, flares, bed seams, tail gate. If the floors and frame are solid as the seller claims they are this is practically rust free in Jeep language. Interior is even decent other than the dash.
he 6 won’t give you much pep but the manual transmission will make up for some of the loss. And you’ll get a full 50% more gas mileage (ha) Should be able to get 15mpg out of this.
Honest truck that you wouldn’t be afraid to show at a cars and coffee nor afraid to take to Home Depot to throw some plywood and 2×4’s into
Very nice. Color and decaling same as my 79. Mine was auto with quadra-trac drive and dana rears. All factory. Also had bucket seats with center console. Side mirrors were car type not the tripod mount. Truck was fitted with full roll bar and full front brush guard. Came with AC and a great automatic transmission. I added Hella fogs on roll bar plus a CB with external speaker. Loved that truck. I’d buy it tomorrow if I could find it. I’m looking for it.