Jeep’s big news about the return of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer has been banging around for a number of years now and it has finally become a reality. Where does that leave the old “SJ” Grand Wagoneer? On firm ground no doubt, they’ve been collectible for years and will probably continue to be so for some time to come – what’s old is new, and desired. That being the case, let’s see what bolsters so much interest in the former Grand Wagoneer by reviewing this very clean 1987 example. It’s located in Spokane, Washington and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $18,989 with 57 bids tendered.

I must admit that I don’t get the interest. I have a friend that had, many years ago, a 1969 example that was powered by a Buick V8 engine. He lived on top of a mountain in rural Maryland and needed the GW to navigate the winding and steep road to and from home in winter weather. Beyond its usefulness in that capacity, it was a lump. Fast forward twenty years and you couldn’t pitch a horseshoe on Nantucket Island without hitting a Grand Wagoneer – it was like a high five, have-to-have vehicle ( I was there this past October and noticed that the GW has been usurped by the Gladiator as the current de rigueur island vehicle). Whatever, old Grand Wagoneers are still very popular in certain circles.

Our subject vehicle has been off the road for seventeen years and has managed to accumulate 74K miles in its 35 years of life. The seller states that this is a non-restored example with one, modern two-stage repaint in its original shade of Briarwood Metallic. The faux wood and trim are claimed to be original and show no sign of degradation – evidence of hibernation and good storage. The wheels, chrome, and trim all present beautifully.

The seller states that the 144 net HP, 360 CI V8 engine in this Grand Wagoneer, “runs great and starts right up. Runs and Drives smooth and transmission shifts great“. A three-speed automatic transmission (TorqueFlite?) applies power to both the rear axle and a 4X4 transfer case. Weighing in at 4,500 lbs., 144 HP is not a thunderstruck of power for providing forward motivation, but fortunately, the V8 is torquey and should provide adequate performance.

We’ve got some carpet going on in the interior of this Jeep. The bottoms of the seat bolsters and the backs of the front buckets are covered in tan cut-pile carpet as is the cargo area, and of course, the floor. The seats, upholstered in a tan vinyl/fabric material look pretty comfy and the entire environment is amazingly clean – if it weren’t, that light shade would show every spec of dirt and dollop of whatever that one could manage to track in. It’s true for the cargo area too – it looks like it has seen scant action.

So, a replacement for a new Grand Wagoneer? Hardly, especially considering the newest Jeep’s $88,400 (Yikes!) price tag. No, this old Grand Wagoneer is a replacement for nothing, it is its own SUV and commands a market all its own. If you have ever considered owning a vintage SUV, this is one for a look-see, wouldn’t you agree?