Vehicle manufacturers produce Special Edition models for many reasons. Some are to celebrate anniversaries, while others represent collaborations with third-party suppliers. However, the 1973 Jeep CJ-5 Super Jeep appeared due to an industry shortage of aluminum alloy wheels. The company needed something to entice buyers into showrooms, and the Super Jeep was the result. Although official production figures are hard to pinpoint, fewer than 300 of these classics are believed to have left the line during the single production year. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Hans H. for spotting the Super Jeep listed here on eBay in Houston, Texas. The seller set their price at $16,500 with the option to make an offer.
The Super Jeep, a one-year-only offering, certainly stands out with its bold graphics. The company offered buyers a choice of six paint colors, with Blue Metallic and Champagne White gracing our featured vehicle, which is adorned with graphics in Blue and Red. The enormous star forward of the rear wheel opening was a highlight, but the cosmetic enhancements didn’t end there. The Super Jeep featured a curved chrome front bumper, rubber fender lip extensions, a roll bar, and Polyglas whitewall tires mounted on 15″ white painted steel wheels. This Jeep retains its correct graphics, but someone has replaced the wheels, bumper, and roll bar. The images also confirm that the rubber extensions are AWOL. Sourcing the correct wheels and extensions shouldn’t be a problem, but the bumper might be more challenging. The roll bar may also be a relatively easy fix because many companies should have no trouble fabricating an accurate replacement. Overall, the condition is pretty good. The paint looks clean and consistent, the graphics are crisp, and the underside shots confirm the Jeep’s rust-free status. The top fits nicely, and the trim and glass are in good condition.
Buyers ordering a Super Jeep received the company’s 258ci six as standard equipment. However, this classic’s first owner splashed a few extra dollars on the optional 304ci V8, teamed with a three-speed manual transmission, a dual-range transfer case, and power steering. The factory-quoted power and torque figures of 150hp and 245 ft/lbs don’t sound impressive. Still, if you combine the motor’s flexibility with the transfer case and power steering, this Super Jeep would be an effective weapon when the going gets tough. Although not stated explicitly, the listing suggests that potential buyers can consider the Super Jeep a turnkey proposition.
If anything about this CJ-5 disappoints me, it is the interior. Someone cut the dash to accommodate an aftermarket stereo that is absent, and there is also a sports wheel. Addressing those shortcomings would be easy. However, the non-original seats mean that the distinctive multi-hue seat upholstery is a distant memory. That is a major drama because the Super Jeep’s low production volume will make finding the right replacements difficult. The buyer could spend hours searching online, but a better strategy might be to join a few owner forums to seek guidance from those “in the know.” The existing seats show wear and deterioration, and I believe the Super Jeep’s rarity justifies every effort to restore the interior to a factory-fresh state.
I sometimes look at the 1973 Jeep CJ-5 Super Jeep and wonder whether the company’s sales results justified the effort and the expense. Largely a cosmetic package, developing the stripes and unique seat upholstery wouldn’t have been cheap, especially given the low sales total. However, that is a positive factor for today’s collectors because a Super Jeep commands a market value approximately 20% higher than that of an equivalent “standard” CJ-5. This example is missing the correct wheels and seat covers. While sourcing the correct wheels should be easy, sourcing the seat covers could prove more challenging. I couldn’t find seat covers in an admittedly brief online search, though a persistent approach may yield positive results. That fact is reflected in the price, which is lower than we would typically expect from an unmolested vehicle. However, if the buyer returns this Jeep to its factory form, it will certainly stand out in any crowd.
Well, ( BP settling down after that Bronco,,sheesh),,shiver me timbers, never heard of one. A “SUPER” Jeep, that should bolster sagging sales,,,it didn’t. CJ5 sales were slipping fast, and with only 300 made, no wonder I never saw one. I may have seen one and never realized it was special. There were a couple rare CJs, the CJ6, the CJ8 postal, and the Hurst Scramblers are pretty rare, but I think this is the rarest. Honestly, I don’t see any difference in parts than a regular CJ5, I read, they were sold with steel wheels, as a shortage of the aluminum ones. Quite a find, and you CAN learn new things at 71.
Now, do you think you could move it, I’m supposed to back in that dock!!!! ( You’d be surprised how many times that happened)
I would repaint that abomination.