The seller of this ’72 Jeep Commando is pretty adamant as he states, “Lots of good parts. Again for who thinks it’s fixable IT IS A Parts VEHICLE“. So the premise here is that this is really a pile of Jeep parts that are still bolted together. Let’s give this Jeep a look-see and see if we agree. This Commando is located in East Earl, Pennsylvania and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $1,426 with twelve bids tendered so far.
Kaiser-Jeep and then AMC produced the Commando between 1967 and 1973. Originally billed at the Jeepster Commando, the Jeepster moniker was dropped in ’72 at the same time that the traditional Jeep grille was replaced with a full-width piece giving it a non-Jeep look. Body styles included a hardtop wagon model, such as this example, a pickup, and a roadster.
At first blush, this Commando looks fair, until you zero in on the quarter panels and rockers. The rot-through is everywhere – the more you look, the more you find. The seller adds, ” All body panels have rust with an exception of hood & upper deck lid“. And it’s not just the body panels that have been consumed, the frame is letting go too. Used one time as a daily driver, the seller admits that this Commando was employed as a snowplow. Some of the body panels were replaced 25 years ago but the rust has returned and has now infected those.
Sometime back, the seller rebuilt the 150 net HP, 304 CI V8 engine and the seller claims that it, and the three-speed automatic transmission, operates well. The front and rear differentials are referenced as “good” too. So, from a parts perspective, it sounds as if the entire powertrain could be redeployed to another vehicle.
Surprisingly, the interior is in fantastic shape, it completely belies the exterior’s condition. It’s such a surprise to note the condition of the upholstery, instrument panel, gauges, dash pad, floor mat, etc., and then compare it all to the exterior’s deteriorating condition – it’s a tale of two trucks!
The seller’s lead-in is, “RUSTY FOR PARTS FOR YOU GUYS WHO THINKS IT FIXABLE“. He further admonishes, “Should you drive it home & my answer is no….Bad rust & has not been roadworthy since 2003“. The seller paints a pretty convincing picture with his listing images. There are plenty of useable parts, the drivetrain, alone, are probably the most significant components but there’s the entire interior, and the previously identified hood and upper decklid too. So, what do you really think, a lost cause or a ray of hope for a return to roadworthiness?
Brutally honest seller, with an ad pitched to the “here, hold my beer” buyer
If only every car seller was that honest. At least potential buyer would know what he’s getting into. If he wants a restoration, he can buy it and do a resto on it while he’s driving it. If he needs parts to help with a resto, he’s got parts.
No matter how bad the rust is in the pictures nor how explicit the owner is when he says it’s a parts car, someone is going to overbid because it presents fairly well and has shiny paint.
The V8, what looks like a Dana 44 and other parts give it value, a limit of 50% of the value of the major components is about right. If bidders stick to that formula they will do ok.
Steve R
Sold with a high bid of $2,025.
Steve R
Honest seller, nice to see, he could have patched up the body with bondo and sold to some unsuspecting sucker for big $$$. Definitely a parts vehicle with the frame rotted out like that and it looks like there are lots of good parts left.
Holy cow, holey frame!
Didn’t these have issues with water and debris getting into void spaces underneath?
Stick shift not auto.
I wonder if the body shell could have been repaired. If so, I could easily see the stock frame getting replaced with a custom frame.
Paint over the rust, pretty classy, eh? Something my grandfather would have done. Jeep knew the market was changing, Jeep to most, meant the CJ, and never considered a mere Jeep to have these kind of comforts. It was a radical departure that fell on few buyers. They didn’t do anything well, and most buyers went for the Cherokee, these were a tough sell. Being as rare as they are, therein lies the attraction, one in my neighborhood had a sign on it for $12,500, and I think they got it, or close to it anyway. Considering what some people restore, this should be a piece of cake, and was well bought.
“Worth Fixing?” That depends on the condition, and the severity of the damage. If there are no rust holes, and the frame is solid, with no bends or breaks anywhere, then it shouldn’t need to be repaired. If it starts without problems, and drives under its own power, then all it needs is to be started up and enjoy driving it. Otherwise, assuming all the parts are there, it should make a great restoration project, or an awesome restomod.
Full disclosure- I’m not an expert, I’ve never restored a vehicle and I’m kind of a “hold my beer & hope for the best” guy. What, me worry?
Question: How terrible of an idea is it to just drive a vehicle w/ a frame w/ rust holes?? It looks to me like the Jeep’s body panels still basically line up so the Jeep is not folding in half under it’s own weight… clearly the frame has some structural integrity, right?
It seems like the most-likely risk might be that the frame could collapse if one got in an accident, right? I feel I’d be much safer in this Jeep as compared to on my motorcycle if I got in an accident. Riding motorcycles is legal, in some states even w/ out a helmet. Thus, to me just driving this thing as is should be fine until the frame weakens further and it doesn’t go down the road without folding or crab walking, etc. at which time it really is a parts car.
Thoughts on this from those w/ more knowledge?
…“Worth Fixing?” That depends on…” buyer.
Seen “labor of love” go farther than this one. “Bring em back!” Must be a buncha SW, NW or WCoast people commenting?. This is not my usual: “buy, drive while restoring, sell for the ‘free driving’ but it might be so for the enthusiast who lubs ’em and will keep.
As we head into the EVs era the net supplies these kindza buyers. An opposite dynamic “the car auction” goes in the counter direction, shame…(will the hi prices prevent nother ‘eternal resting place’ type from holding onto these?). There’s all ways hope~
According to my father, who had a new ’68 Commando conv., ALL they ever were was rusty junk. He had it less than a year, traded it for a clean hardly used ’69 Galaxy 500 with a 429 that I ended up owning in ’72. Thank you, Dad.
If this was available 30 years ago, long before I got too old to work on vehicles, I would grab it, then source a good rust free body & frame from the southwest, where vehicles like this would be worn out mechanically, with all the soft parts broken or missing.
Clean up and powder coat the replacement frame, repair various body damage that might exist, paint the replacement body, put ’em together, then transfer all the good stuff from this rusty hulk.
Hopefully the new buyer will do just that.
Gee, first picture looks great! There doesn’t seem to be any problems. Not sure about the seller’s warnings though. Let’s check some of these close-up pics…. O. M. G.
Wait a minute, the interior looks brand new! This could be saved. I’ll just click on these underside pics. HOLY ****!!!
This is worth fixing unlike many with a rotted frame..they are really rare now and are with the early Bronco’s in desirability…source a frame from the junkyard and save this one…not many were made and few still exist.