If the owner’s description is accurate, then this 1976 Jeep Cherokee has led an incredibly sheltered existence. It has been spared to rigors of exposure to inclement weather and rough off-roading. Instead, it has served its time as a means of transporting children to school and to make those necessary trips to buy the family groceries. It has lived a life of retirement since the 1980s but has remained well-maintained throughout its entire life. The time has come for it to head to a new home, and that could quite conceivably be yours. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, you will find the Jeep listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $15,100, and with the reserve now met, that new home looks like it might be just around the corner.

The owner gives the impression in his listing that the Federal Gray and Alpine White paint that the Jeep wears is original and that the vehicle has never received a repaint. The fact that it has never spent any extended period exposed to UV rays or road salt has probably helped its cause, while a life lived in a heated garage will have assisted to keep the dreaded tin worm at bay. The paint has a nice shine to it, while the alloy wheels appear to be free of any damage or pitting. The chrome and trim, along with the glass, all look to be close to perfect. When you look at the overall condition of the vehicle, it is very easy to believe that it has spent its life as a taxi for the kiddies and groceries, and has never been subjected to the rigors of off-roading.

The Black interior trim of the Jeep presents nicely, but it does show a couple of spots of wear which helps to confirm that this is no trailer queen. The driver’s seat is showing some edgewear and a couple of minor splits. Apparently, the original owner of the vehicle was something of a perfectionist, so I’m actually slightly surprised to find this wear. Having said that, it is a problem that should be easy to address. There is also some wear visible on the rim of the steering wheel, while the carpet has a few minor faded spots. An indication of careful ownership is reflected in the plastic that covers the carpet in the cargo area. It looks like it has been there for quite some time, and I suspect that the carpet that lies beneath is probably in good condition. The rest of the interior trim and upholstery looks really good, and when you look around inside the vehicle, it is hard to believe that you are looking at an interior that is 44-years-old.

The original owner of the Jeep was a GM mechanic, and he also liked his vehicles to provide some decent levels of performance. With those factors in mind, it is no surprise to find a 360ci V8 under the hood of the Jeep. In deference to the fact that the Jeep was to be used as a family commuter driven by his wife, he chose to have it equipped with a TH400 automatic transmission and QuadraTrac full-time 4WD system, along with power steering and power brakes. As with the rest of the vehicle, the entire drivetrain is original, and apart from a cylinder head rebuild (which was not actually needed), the car has never been touched. It has, however, been meticulously maintained throughout its life. Once it was retired from active duty in the 1980s, it was parked in a heated garage and hardly ever moved. The original owner did take it out for short drives from time-to-time to keep the fluids flowing, but that has been about it. Even the current (and second) owner of the Jeep has followed the same path, and it is this lack of use that has prompted him to part with the vehicle. I get the impression that this is a Cherokee that wants for nothing, as the owner states that it runs and drives well.

There is no doubt that this 1976 Jeep is an eye-catching vehicle, and while it isn’t perfect, its condition is a long way above average for a survivor of this age. Its listing has generated some pretty intense interest because along with strong bidding, there are currently 156 people who are watching the listing. I really do envy the next owner, because I believe that they are about to take possession of a really special vehicle, and it is to be hoped that they appreciate it just as much as its first two owners have up to this point.