If there’s one thing I love, it’s rare factory colors. However, I don’t always associate a Jeep product with being a vehicle that had some sort of limited-production color wheel. A slice of Italian exotica, sure, or even a late-model BMW that some hedge fund millionaire can order direct from the factory. But this 1974 Jeep CJ5 Renegade goes to show us that even a workhorse like this can become an item with an unusual shade of paint, as it left the factory wearing “Renegade Plum” paint along with being equipped with a 304 V8. The Jeep has been left to bake in the sun for some time, but the upside is it remains largely rust-free. Find it here on eBay with bids to $3,950 and no reserve.
I love details like this: the old-school California blue plate, and the faded bumper sticker that says “I’d rather be fishing.” These little details give a glimpse into the Jeep’s life before it became parked for eons, crumbling in the fierce sunshine. The seller reports it has lived in California and Arizona and was most recently found parked in the desert. The Jeep does not run but is said to appear largely original aside from some desirable period modifications. The seller reports that the Jeep wears non-original wheels but has a cool Warn winch with remote up front; he hasn’t tried to get it working. The body has minimal rust but the doors are missing and the windshield is cracked. Can you translate the vantiy plate?
The interior is indeed long-gone but the good news about restoring a Jeep is that spare parts are always in good supply. I wouldn’t even bother with an upholstery kit, just ditch these seats and look for good used items or at least good cores to use with an upholstery kit (also widely available.) The seller claims he has not verified the mileage but that the 95,000 showing on the odometer could be original based on the truck’s condition that hasn’t been roasted by the sun. The Jeep has a backseat, but that also will need re-doing. The Jeep will come with a clean Arizona title, which is not always a guarantee on these rigs that have been used as a farm vehicle for decades.
The dash has been modified here and there, and the seller says he sees evidence of a prior owner trying to install headers (he doesn’t elaborate here). The faded Renegade Plum paint on the dash provides more evidence that this is the Jeep’s original color code, and it looks practically pink in its heavily faded state. Still, despite all the sun damage, the original Renegade stickers are still visible on the body. These old CJ5s don’t go for much money in project-grade condition, but I bet this one could bring some profit given the rarity factory and the desirable combination of the 304 and a manual transmission. Have you ever seen a Jeep in this color?
Oh boy, a “RENEGADE”!! Just the name conjures up Native American rebels, and just think, with these, ANYONE can be a RENEGADE!!! I know, doesn’t work that way, what a POS, typical of backyard ranchers, which place close behind midwest farmers when it comes to vehicle care. The “bastarX” file for the transfer case shift is a nice touch. Be it what it is, it’s still a Jeep, and unless they’re broken in half, they will always be a hot seller. I know it looks bad, but cleaned up and sorted out, it’s a great find.
Alley Oop
…”the doors are missing”…?…they wouldn’t do much good without the rest of the top……
the doors are missing? “Where we’re going we won’t need doors.”
Having owned many “round fender” CJ-5s between 1968 and 1976, I found the best year Jeep I owned to be a 1974 with the 304 V8. I believe that generation of CJ-5 would start with AMCs acquisition in 1972 and run until 1975. The chassis was stretched 3″ to accommodate an inline 6 and featured swing pedals, a larger rear underbody fuel tank, an optional V8, a centered Dana 44 rear with one piece axles, and a few other welcome amenities while still retaining most of the classic Kaiser-Willys era features. Although I missed the peppy Buick V6 and the optional Warn overdrive available in the earlier models, the rumble of the V8 and the previously mentioned improvements made that CJ-5 the most fun to own of all my Jeeps. The only downside (in my opinion) of the handsome Renegade appearance package was the loss of the tailgate, which allowed for a rear body mounted spare. My ’74 had a factory tailgate and an aftermarket swing-away spare carrier, but my ’76 had the optional tailgate delete and cracked down the center of the body due to the stress of the rear-mounted spare. This Jeep seems to have been saved of that fate. Also note that someone has added an earlier model under-seat fuel tank and filler neck, giving a much needed fuel reserve for the thirsty V8… something I had always contemplated doing to my own ’74!!
My first Jeep was a 1972 CJ5 with a 304 and a three speed. Mine had the tailgate, but someone had installed an aftermarket spare tire rack that bolted to the body corners. When installed, it prevented the tail gate from opening. It didn’t swing away or anything, so I assume it would have been intended for this non-tailgate option. You could also mount gas cans on the back for extra fuel.