There’s no doubt that a mere 6,080 examples of the Jeep CJ-5 rolled off the production line during the 1982 model year. It is unclear how many of those were the Laredo variant, but that total production figure suggests that it is a relatively rare beast. This one is an original survivor that has spent its life garage-kept in drier climates. That makes it no surprise that it is a rust-free classic in excellent condition. Its faults are few, and the owner states that it is a turnkey proposition ready for immediate enjoyment. Located in Los Angeles, California,  you will find the Jeep listed for sale here on craigslist. Once you look at this vehicle’s overall condition, you will probably agree that the sale price of $18,900 seems highly competitive. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for referring this fantastic off-roader to us.

When I see any classic vehicle advertised and the owner says that it has been garage-kept for its entire life, that ticks one of the right boxes in my book. When he informs potential buyers that it has spent its life in drier climates, that virtually seals the deal. In the case of this Copper Brown Jeep, it has split its time between Arizona and California. Therefore, its total lack of rust is no surprise. The exterior looks spotlessly clean, while the owner says that the underside shows no evidence of corrosion, scaling, or weird undercoating. That all augurs well for a classic that is structurally sound. Its paint shines beautifully, and this is a testament to the care that has been lavished on it. Those climates that are so good at protecting steel can also wreak havoc on painted surfaces. The owner says that the paint on this Jeep is original, and its overall condition is impressive. Similarly, the graphics and decals are crisp and clean, while the top shows no evidence of stretching or fading. The exterior trim is in excellent condition, as is the glass. Somebody has installed a heavy-duty winch, which is a practical addition to this vehicle. Those big wheels and chunky tires and a perfect finishing touch to this Jeep’s exterior.

While the interior of this Laredo looks good, it does have a few niggling faults that are worth considering. The first is the non-original lid on the center console. It matches precisely nothing else inside this classic, and I would probably ditch it in favor of an original. The other is a visible seam separation on the base of the driver’s seat. I’m not sure whether replacement is justified because a competent upholsterer should be able to repair this to maintain the Jeep’s originality. Beyond that, there is little to criticize. The crack-prone dash pad is in excellent condition, as is the remaining trim. The gauges have crisp markings, and the lenses are crystal clear. Apart from the console lid, the only other additions are a CB radio and a JVC radio/cassette player. If potential buyers have a burning desire for power windows, air conditioning, or cruise control, they have come to the wrong place. This Jeep features none of those luxuries but is a good old bread-and-butter off-roader with no automotive “tinsel” that could potentially cause problems in the great outdoors.

Potential buyers in 1982 could order their new Jeep with a four-cylinder engine under the hood, although most tended to prefer the 258ci six-cylinder unit that produced 110hp and 205 ft/lbs of torque. That power finds its way to the tarmac via a four-speed manual transmission. If the going gets rough or challenging, a dual-range transfer case makes light work of heavy conditions. Further aiding the cause is the original owner’s decision to equip this CJ-5 with power steering and power brakes. A drag strip is not this vehicle’s natural habitat, but if the owner chose to point it down the ¼ mile, it would romp through in a respectable 18.4 seconds. What I admire about this Laredo is its consistency. Not only does it present nicely, but it appears that it is in sound mechanical health. The seller says that it runs and drives perfectly and that it is a turnkey proposition ready for its next owner.

For those of us who lived through it, the 1980s were vastly different from today. This was especially true in the automotive sector, and this 1982 Jeep Laredo probably reflects that difference perfectly. It is a great-looking vehicle that is an excellent survivor. However, you compare its engineering and equipment levels with any modern offering, and it looks positively spartan. That doesn’t make it a bad vehicle. In fact, the opposite is probably true. The lack of electronic gizmos and accessories leaves fewer opportunities for expensive equipment failures. It should still be a capable off-roader, and its overall condition would turn heads wherever it goes. These have experienced a growth in popularity and value recently, with pristine examples capable of topping $30,000. When you look at the sale price for this one, it looks extremely competitive. That’s why I won’t be surprised if someone snaps up this gem pretty quickly.