Nicest On The Planet? 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Where did the last 31 years go? Don’t ask this 1989 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, because it doesn’t know, it looks like it just glided from the assembly line to today and skipped all of the hardship stuff in between. This magnificently preserved SUV is located in Orange Hills, California and available here on craigslist for $33,500. Thanks to Ikey H. for this great find!
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer, known as platform “SJ” in all of its incarnations and trim names, was produced from 1963 until 1991. If you note the “D” pillar, it’s very similar to the Fisher Body (GM) design used on station wagons in the ’61 to ’64 era. While the SJ versions included a two and four-door version, referred to as the Cherokee and Wagoneer, there was also a pickup truck variant known as the Gladiator too. This Grand Wagoneer is the final version offered and is absolutely the high-zoot suit version. Curiously, there are a surprising number of Wagoneers and Grand Wagoneers residing in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Every time I visit the island I go looking for one and am usually not disappointed. Many of those that I have spied there are drivers, they look a bit worn but are still doing their thing.
The seller of this Jeep ensures potential buyers that, “YOU WILL NOT FIND A NICER ONE PERIOD!!” Pretty strong commitment eh? There is no denying, this example is in beautiful condition. The Colorado Red finish and faux wood veneer present as new; the chrome too. The seller indicates that this Jeep has spent most of its time in a collector’s possession but still managed to rack up 80K miles. Nevertheless, the body is straight and spotless with no indication of crash damage, parking lot mayhem or general road rash.
As a last nod to originator American Motors Corporation, this Grand Wagoneer is powered by a 144 net HP, AMC 360 CI V8 engine despite Chrysler Corporation having purchased AMC two years prior and still producing their own 360 CI V8 motor. Behind, and in front of the motor, is a four-wheel-drive assembly incorporating a Chrysler TorqueFlite, three-speed automatic transmission. This seller claims, “truck runs and drives like a new car.” The only downside to this powertrain arrangement in this 4,500 lb. Jeep is the 12 MPG EPA rated fuel consumption. Ouch! The seller does list some recent maintenance and parts replacements that have been facilitated.
The interior is aligned with the exterior in terms of condition, nothing looks worn or out of place – it is an all original, non molested environment. The wood applique across the dash is cheesy looking abut that was the trend in the ’70s and ’80s and it’s a nit on my part. With 80K miles of use accumulated over 31 years, I would expect more signs of wear than are exhibited here, so I’d have to say that this Jeep has been well maintained, gently used and stored properly.
So the big attention-getter in the listing, besides the obvious fine condition of this Jeep, is the price. It seems a bit out there until you consider the asking prices for similar examples found here on Wagonmaster, a Grand Wagoneer restorer and reseller. There is no telling where the value for these SJ based Grand Wagoneers will go when FCA finally gets around to reintroducing the modern replacement, now planned now for next year. All in all, it probably won’t have an impact, the name will be the only real commonality. If you really clamor for an old school Jeep SUV, this is a tough example to beat, don’t you think?
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$10,500
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$200
Comments
Very nice example, but such an unpredictable time to sell one. May be one of the Romney family heirs needing a couple bucks…
Maybe the nicest maroon one….
A few months ago I saw a 6K miles ALL ORIGINAL (and perfectly preserved, running) black one, when I delivered the not-so-nice “stunt double” to a collection. (but the SD was still a pretty decent example, not a junker by any means)
THAT “Collection” car was likely the “Nicest One”
The original SUV. Not the $100,000 total POS Porsche Cayenne. Beautiful. Snartest thing Chrysler ever did was buy AMC.
A nicely restored ’99 with an LS1 swap on BaT just reached $38.1K top bid, but failed to reach the reserve. I’d say this price may not be an unreasonable ask given this one checks out.
For these prices there are lots of other cars that would tickle my fancy alot more. I suspect many of the buyers are the vacation home crowd whose “Landy” or Porsche stays parked at the first home.
When I was a kid and these were new I thought there were ugly and outdated. Now I think they are beautiful and right up my alley. Maybe I’m old and outdated too!
I wonder if the market has softened for these? 33K is nothing to sneeze at, but I remember these were bringing stupid money a short while back. Interested to see what this one sells for. I had one, 12 MPG is optimistic.
There’s a story about a guy who bought a brand new Jeep Grand Wagoneer, pulled it off the lot and into a nearby gas station. The attendant walked up in amazement and said, “Wow! You really did a nice job on this restoration!” Or something like that.
I had one of these and I’m sorry I sold it. And yes, you want a gas station welded to the gas tank. Other than that they are terrific.
Very Nice Wagoneer,and fairly priced for what is is.Yes ,the LS powered one On BaT was a no sale at 38k,and another current listing there will do over 50k guaranteed.All of which is to say that there are nicer ones than this listing,for sale nearly every week.As nice as this one is ,it is likely not the best one on it’s own block,certainly not the nicest in Orange County ,and would not crack the top 25 in Car crazy California.The original country club wife’s luxury SUV ,the Grand Wagoneer has a huge following of deep pocketed aficionados .They bring the money ,as icons always do !GLWS
I had several of these some not as fancy , great vehicles , loved gas and never let me down . Super great in ice and snow , I should know I drove the snowplow and never failed me no matter what the conditions !!
I owned one exactly like it. Not the nicest one by far but it’s cool. Not worth 33k either.
In the late nineties , massachusets , vermont , new york , there were plenty of these and the smaller amc eagle all over the roads , the sudden snow storms made them indispensable, they were great vehicules but thirsty
I had a couple of these used, and one new two door Comanche. My father-law had a couple, had MS, so I installed extra electronic boxes next to each other on the inside fenders so he could just unplug /plug when they quit.
Other than that, tough, thirsty, and really get us around NW Colorado.
33K for 80,00 miles? Gimme a break. As for the nicest on the planet..no. Not even close. There’s a loaded one not far from me with 11,000 1 owner miles on it. I’ve seen several under 50,000. Sorry, waaay too much for an under-powered smogged out car that wasn’t all that good 30 years ago and hasn’t improved with age.
There qwll never be a replacement for the Grand Wagoneer. Full frame, rear drive, real four(not full time) wheel drive. All Jeeps today except the Wrangler have no frame are just unibody. Many are front drive, some “full time four wheel. The Wrangler may be the only real 4 wheel drive left. Real 4wd you control, if you lock it in it is in,not waiting and wondering if the computer will engage another wheel when it wants to not you. The onl;y rea;l SUV’s todayare the GM Tahoe,Yukon,Suburban, and Escalade and Ford’s Exhibition and Lincoln Naviigator. All those have full frame and are real 4wd. Gm’ have real v-8power Fords are v-6.
Exhibition, Expedition, yea, it’s all the same. LOL
And I agree with you. The features and construction define what they actually are.