Almost as timeless as Michelangelo’s frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is Brooks Stevens’s long-lasting Jeep Wagoneer. In production with few stylistic changes for almost 30 years, the Wagoneer looks better every year. This one departs a little from the usual.
Perhaps the only polarizing part of the ’82 Wagoneer specifically is its grille; it’s arguably the least attractive variant over the Wagoneer’s long production run. But that doesn’t take away from this relatively solid example that still wears its original paint.
Unfortunately, Wagoneers were known for their rust, although this example has comparatively little. The quarter panels appear to be the main problems with this one.
Fortunately, the floors are very solid, as several pictures included by the seller attest. Also visible in this photo is the floor shifter for the four-speed manual. This Wagoneer has the uncommon (according to the seller) 258/4-speed combination. The seller claims that a shop went through the brakes and fuel system when he bought it, but that it’s been sitting for over a year. Regardless, it’s likely that some fresh gas and a battery will get this SUV purring away.
The upholstery even looks tear-free. In matching blue vinyl, a good cleaning will have the interior ready to go.
The door jambs are rust-free.
The rear load floor looks solid, too.
The seller describes this Wagoneer as a rare, plain jane example. He doesn’t include any underhood pictures, so we’ll have to take his word that it has an engine. What to do with it is a bit of a conundrum: Do you get it running and enjoy it as is? Fix the rust in the quarters? Give it a full restoration? If this sounds like a decision that you’d enjoy pondering, it’s currently for sale on Marketplace in Maryland for $6500.
I want this Jeep. Usually I see them with a V8 and an automatic. If I was in a Jeep dealership in 1982 and was getting one of these. This would be it. I think the 4 speed thats in this one is the same as the CJ and it has a usable first gear ( not a creeper gear) thats fully synchronized in all 4 forward speeds. Personally, Id restore it to bone stock even keeping the plain steel wheels. Dont ask me why, but that look on all Jeeps and pickups just appeals to me more than fancy rims, trim and chrome and carpet etc. Just a bare bones truck with a rubber mat 6 and a stick combo is perfect for me.
I like this Jeep
Dave
I agree, Driveinstile, this looks like a great one and that rust is an easy fix. Nice one, Aaron!
This deserves to be restored to original condition. It may be the last good example of the basic Wagoneer of this era!
I had a 78 Cherokee 360 4 speed headers dual exhaust wish I still had it. Bright orange with a white top . Never got stuck and rolled over anything. Had some rust but nothing major. Rowing the gears was a blast! Someone will get a great rig.
I would have sworn this was actually a Cherokee due to the 258/4 speed. Then you look at the wrap around tail lights and the curved down right side dash cover and sure enough it is actually a Wagoneer! Had no idea you could even get one this plain jane once the Cherokee was made available in 4 doors. I had a ’73 Wagoneer with a 401 and 3 speed back in the early ’80s that was just as stripped down as this one. My Dad had special ordered it without any of the usual Wagoneer fixings like fake wood siding, quadra-trak, carpet, A/C, power tailgate window, etc. It even had a radio delete plate. It was meant for farm use as it did have a snowplow rig and a flat trailer hitch. This is certainly a unicorn for an ’82 – guess you learn something new every day.
Awesome trucks, I’ve had a few. I’m a big fan. This one’s right in my wheelhouse, unfortunately I’m out of room!
More proof that you really could order just what you wanted back then. I’ve not seen a Wagoneer as bare knuckled as this before. I too thought it was a Cherokee. Good luck to both seller and buyer.
Hubby had one just like this in the 1990s only it was a 1972 and an automatic. Basic plain Jane, no frills but an FM radio and power rear window. It was a blast and could go anywhere through anything.
But the rust was terrible. Especially the rear quarters. Got so bad he finally had to start replacing sections. Then and the tailgate were the rustiest. Floors were good, door jams and sills good.
Sold it after repairing the trans which went out after towing an 18 foot travel trailer.
Would love to have that Jeep back.