Rare Parmley Body: 1970 Jeep CJ5

This is one of those rigs I instantly like because, for one thing, it’s incredibly rare, and for another, there was actually some thought behind it. Various eras of the Jeep have been absolute catnip for guys handy with fiberglass and a body filler, so it’s of little surprise to see such an unusual design on a vintage CJ5. This is the so-called “Parmley” body, which was conceived when Tom Parmley damaged the original body in a roll-over accident. Find this oddball Jeep listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $3,000. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Terry for the find.

Thanks goes to Barn Finds reader Terry for the find. The Parmley body was intended to not only solve the problem of the original accident but also make some key improvements in the process. Parmley wanted to make it easier for Jeep enthusiasts to stick 10-inch wide wheels underneath along with adding a bigger engine. Interior dimensions also improved, so he clearly had an ear and an eye for what Jeep owners complained about when dissecting the factory’ design. It was a bolt-on conversion, and the hardtop was a rare, and desirable, extra that this Jeep has.

It looks like a completely different truck, which I suppose was part of the idea. It’s pretty neat, as it looks every bit like a burly off-roader while looking nothing like a Jeep (while having all the reliable, easy-to-modify Jeep goodness underneath.) While someone’s home brew conversions usually look quite, well, homemade, this one looks fairly complete in terms of execution. It almost looks Japanese in some respects, reminding me of more of a Daihatsu Rocky than a Jeep. The seller doesn’t offer many details on what’s happening underneath, so we don’t know if it has a larger engine under the hood.

I can remember coming across some other Jeep variants over the years with custom bodies such as this. The modifications were typically for high-performance builds or simply to stand out from the crowd; I can even recall reading about one Jeep body built for owners who used their trucks for tractor pulls! An old Parmley invoice reveals they would sell you a fully assembled kit if desired, along with one stuffed with fiberglass insulation. Windows and roll bars were counted as optional accessories, and this one also has full doors. Have you ever seen a Parmley-bodied Jeep?