1975 Jeep CJ5

Description

Jeep created an undeniable winner when it rolled out the CJ-5. Such was the car's appeal that its manufacturer kept it in production for a full three decades while continuing to release new lines alongside it. This 1975 Jeep CJ-5 is a great representative of the model - it's an agile mountain goat on wheels and it has fun written all over it in a beautifully restored package. Its vivid exterior features some nice off-road touches and there's plenty of 304 V8 power under the hood to propel it over any obstacle that gets in the way.

While the CJ-5 has an extensive military heritage and was designed with a sort of "no-nonsense" functionality in mind, its appealingly rugged demeanor attracted quite a legion of civilian fans over the years. This CJ-5 arrives at the present looking pretty darned sharp. Its recently applied bright Seafoam Green paint (a shade that looks like it could've been borrowed from the Jeep Cherokees commissioned to the US Forest Service) is very fresh and in strong condition, with a bright shine from front to back and a deep luster that really accentuates the CJ-5's unique body lines and curvatures. The round close-set headlights and running lights below them have a definite military spirit to them as they sit inside the iconic painted grille that contrasts nicely with the black bumpers and oversized fender flares. Come around to the side and you'll find another clue that this Jeep was designed for real off-road action - a compact wheelbase that contributes to this Jeep's ability to navigate challenging terrain. The flat bumpers are stock spec with tow hooks installed up front, and tubular step bars were installed on each side, so despite the somewhat demure pastel color, this CJ still has plenty of exterior off-road components. Adding to the list of tough-stuff, fender flares were installed to allow plenty of clearance for the oversized off-road tires, dual exhaust pipes exit the side of the Jeep behind the rear wheels, and the limited trim contrasts brilliantly up against the slick green paint. And don't worry about feeling vulnerable while off-roading in the open air, because this baby comes with a full multi-point roll cage that was nicely painted in slick black urethane.

The black vinyl interior is about as low maintenance as you can get this side of a tree stump next to a campfire. The high-back buckets are fresh and in great condition, there's a small rear bench that doesn't appear to have ever been sat in, and the durable materials on these seating surfaces will keep them looking good for years to come. The entire interior of the tub has been covered in black spray-on bedliner material, and you know that stuff wears like iron, so no worries about getting a little dirt on your shoes. Another added bonus is that at the end of the day, you can just hose it all off without worry. This is an early AMC CJ-5 so the driving position is still pure WWII, with a Grant GT steering wheel on a long, skinny column and a long, straight shifter for the 4-speed manual gearbox is joined on the transmission hump by the shifter for the 4WD transfer case. More proof that when you get it right the first time, evolution pretty much leaves you alone. Inside the color-matched dash, the gauges are simple and give you the information you need and although there's no radio installed, Mother Nature will thank you for the peace and quiet. As long as you stay out of the throttle. No hard top or doors, but do you really need them in a Jeep? Not if you're doing it right! A bikini top does the trick if you need a little protection from the elements, but in truth, this is a Jeep built to soak up the sunshine.

The engine is AMC's torquey 304 cubic inch V8, which delivers more than entertaining performance in the lightweight CJ-5 – in fact, the power-to-weight ratio in a 1975 V8-powered Jeep was akin to a muscle car in the heyday of the era. Bottom line, these Jeeps didn't just have big torque, they could easily upset a lot of loud talkers at red lights. The engine bay definitely doesn't look like it's seen any off-road excursions since everything was restored, with a beautifully painted firewall and inner fenders serving as a backdrop for the AMC Blue engine topped with an original black snorkeled air cleaner. Thanks to the 304's legendary reliability and the signs of maintenance throughout , it runs superbly and delivers strong performance on or off road without being too aggressive. There's a fresh distributor and battery for quick and easy engine starts, a big radiator, which is a great thing to have when you're grinding along at walking speeds, and the blue engine enamel really makes it look sharp. The 4-speed manual transmission and 2-speed transfer case give you all the gearing you need to climb any obstacle, power steering means maneuvering this Jeep is not a chore at lower speeds, and the trail-tested Jeep suspension with upgraded shocks can climb over rocks the size of basketballs without flinching. Flashy 12-hole wheels add a sporty countenance, and they carry 33x12.50-15 white-letter off-road tires that are aggressive enough for just about anything you're going up against.

Looking sharp, packing plenty of power and offering undeniable nostalgic appeal, this fresh Jeep CJ5 would be a great acquisition for the collector and off-road enthusiast alike. Call today!