[Jeepernator]

We're still waiting for news of the new Wrangler JL and its impending debut. But before then, we can take a look at some old Jeeps that we wish we had.

I'd like to get my hands on a 1960 Willys Jeep Gala Runabout. It may be a glorified golf cart, but I'd still like one and the blue one below is going up for auction in January. Wish I had the funds for it, but only around 1000 units were sold and mostly in the tropical areas.

 

[gladiator]

Always liked these but i'm always into driving my vehicles with little to no limits and being as limited as these are you won't want to expose to much of the elements out there.

Do you at least live somewhere warm with good roads?

 

[Mangler]

That definitely is very.... unique..

Can't say I would want to own one to be honest, but I would love to see one in person. To each their own definitely. You really can't even put doors on that thing ?

 

[Jeepernator]

No doors, what you see is what your get. It was pretty much designed to be a glorified golf cart for people to drive around on day trips in the tropics. :grin2:

Which older Jeeps do you guys want?

 

[Gina]

Deep down, we'd all like to own a Willys MB, that's just the most iconic Jeep you can own, but getting your hands on one is going to cost an arm and a leg.

 

[Mangler]

A full on Willys MB would be great, I would throw on some serious slicks on the back of it though. Make that son of a gun fast as heck lol. Probably the scariest thing I would ever drive though ahaha

 

[HighRider]

A Jeep In a Crate is the stuff of legends! I'd be more than happy top keep it as stock if I ever have a chance to own one and no changes will be made aside from maintenance needs. The Willys MB was even popular back in the 70s.

That's on Wrangler we'd all love to own.

 

[Gina]

If only I could afford one, but the one you generally find aren't in good condition as far as I can see. The model is very old and people do like to drive them instead of having it sit in the garage, meaning general wear and tear of the vehicle no mater how sturdy Jeep built it.

 

[gladiator]

It still surprises me that while some European brands make a serious effort to restore older vehicles, American car makers are doing squat! Old American vehicles were so great that the Japanese copied us and took inspiration from us, and it might be safe to say that even Land Rover did.

Land Rovers Efforts...

Are first-generation Range Rovers high-grade classics yet? Land Rover clearly hopes so, having confirmed it will be featuring the Rangie as part of its Reborn program, which is currently producing as-new restorations of the Series 1 Land Rover. This effort is clearly aimed at European customers, where the original Range Rover was launched as long ago as 1970 and has therefore had more time to burnish its classic status. Sales in the U.S. only began in 1987, and values haven’t risen here anything like as strongly as they have for early two-door Range Rovers on the other side of the Atlantic.

Land Rover Launches ?Reborn? Program for Vintage Range Rovers ? News ? Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog

 

[HighRider]

To do that, a model must have a lot of history and a following that is willing to shell out a lot of money for one. From the top of my head I can only think of the older Jeeps like the CJ-5/CJ-6 and the Ford Bronco.

 

[Gina]

Here's a looker, a 1967 Willys Jeep CJ5 from the cold-era and it was sitting in the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum garage. Makes one wonder what other treasures are collecting dust in those military storage facilities.

 

[Jeepernator]

The Willys was an exceptional vehicle when they were still being built and even today, seeing one in real life would be exciting. Just something about how minimalistic the design is and how rugged they were.

What I wouldn't give to find one in such good condition for an affordable price.

 

[Johnson]

Lol the only problem is usually good condition and affordable price don't really go well together when talking about vehicles as old as these haha

 

[HighRider]

Willys like those will remain a pipe dream to me, especially with how few of them are left in the world and I'm sure more and more of them are breaking down each year from old age.

 

[Mangler]

Most definitely.

As much as we see these on social media, it's really just a very small fraction of however many are out there and it's extremely rare for them to be in this great pristine condition.

 

[Jeepernator]

Most of what you find will be a fixer upper that you'll probably have to sink a lot into to get it moving and up to code. You know there's still a demand for Willys when people are even selling the hood panel only.

 

[Johnson]

If you have the money, time, and space, it's probably worth it for you and it'll be a fun process. The parts are out there, it's just sourcing them.

 

[HighRider]

If you have the know-how and tools to restore a Willys, then it shouldn't be too expensive unless you're trying to restore it to mint condition. An editor from Jalopnik restored one and the hurdles were insane.

deadspin-quote-carrot-aligned-w-bgr-2

 

[Johnson]

That's to be expected though. Buying something that old, majority of people will have to go through pretty much the same hurdles he has.

 

[HighRider]

Not only old, that Jeep was decrepit and rusted. I do have a large amount of respect for those who takes on a project like that, but I'd prefer one that can at least move.