In 1953, Mitsubishi Motors of Japan agreed with Willys Corp. to build Jeep models on their home turf. Over the next 45 years, the partnership would produce more than 30 different Jeep configurations that numbered close to 200,000 copies. This 1982 J-37 edition, a wagon, has right-hand drive and migrated to the U.S. with a sailor in 2018. It now resides in Homosassa, Florida, and is in particularly good condition with under 26,000 miles. The Japanese Jeep is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $5,600 and perhaps meeting the reserve is just around the corner. An interesting tip brought to us by T.J.!

The variety of these offered Jeeps was extensive, including short, medium, and long-wheels models in addition to wagons and hardtops. They relied upon gasoline and diesel-powered 4-cylinder engines. Apparently, the production of the Mitsubishi Jeeps in Japan didn’t stop due to a lack of demand, but more because they couldn’t meet ever-increasing environmental and safety standards. Jeeps like the seller’s version wear branding from both parent companies.

Under the hood here is a 2.6-liter Mitsubishi Astron G54B gasoline inline-4, delivering power to all four wheels. It comes with manually locking front hubs and the Jeep was fully serviced upon entering the U.S. four years ago. Because the Jeep was built for Asian consumption, the odometer reading is in kilometers i.e., 42,000, which equates to about 26,000 miles by U.S. standards.

Though the Jeep is in great mechanical condition, the body has some small rust issues that developed after the paint color was changed from two-tone to the single tan you see now. There is some sort of undercoating that was applied in Japan that has helped preserve the undercarriage. The interior has been redone with aftermarket materials and the paint on the dashboard appears to be flaking. A prior owner added a stereo system, but it has since been removed but comes with the wagon. The only things that may need attention sooner than later are one of the windows which is stuck closed, and the A/C which could stand a recharge.

If you were looking for a Jeep-like vehicle to take to events and gatherings of other off-road vehicles, this one would be quite unusual and likely the only example to turn up in the crowd. You could be to only kid on your block to own one!