Tue Apr 2 20:59:06 2002 From: Frank Swygert Looks like the real thing to me! I have plenty of pics to add in "The AMC Family Album" (c 1976) and a newly acquired 62-76 Motor truck repair manual. john meister wrote: is it a draft or the real thing? You decide... :) ---------------------------------------------------------- The Full Size Jeep by John Meister (http://wagoneers.com) On November 14, 1962 the world was introduced to the Full Size Jeep during the Lloyd Bridges show. Jeep announced it's new model line of the Wagoneer and Gladiator on TV commercials. The J-series model line (SJ model) had been three years in development under the direction of the legendary and visionary Brooks Stevens, the same designer that helped bring to life the Willys Wagons and a number of other designs. The website http://www.brooksstevenshistory.com/only has a brief mention of his automotive achievements. The National Auto Museum in Reno, Nevada has many Brooks Stevens designs displayed. The design of the Jeep Wagoneer was one of his finest. The remarkable visibility from the driver's seat is described as "panoscopic vision". Passengers have told me that they feel like they're sitting outside as they ride along and enjoy the view in comfort. It is one of the finest features of the SJ model. Willys owned Jeep when the project started. In March 1963, shortly after the J-series vehicles were introduced, Kaiser became the official owner of Jeep, changing it's name to Kaiser-Jeep. AMC acquired the Jeep line in 1970. AMC owned the Jeep brand until Chrysler acquired it in the late 1980's. Chrysler kept the SJ model alive only until 1991. They did nothing to upgrade or enhance it's design. Chrysler did continue developing the Wagoneer's offspring, the XJ model line, but they've terminated that model line as well. The Jeep model line introduced in 1962 shared the same grille on both the wagon and the pickups. To this day the grille of the early J-series truck line is distinguished and even retrofitted to later model SJ model Jeeps. The early grille is often referred to as a "Rhino Chaser" grille after the TV series Daktar. Full Size Jeeps have starred in a multitude of movies over the years. FSJ fans continually report sightings in commercials and movies. Of course the movie "Twister" had a beautiful J-10. FSJ enthusiasts were quick to point out the variations of J-trucks that were used in the making of the movie. Subtle differences that only those most familiar with the Full Size Jeeps would spot. Jeep originally offered the Wagoneer in both two wheel and four wheel drive and two and four door models. They even offered a Delivery Panel version of the Wagoneer. (the writer currently owns a 1967 Jeep J-100 Panel) The Gladiator model came in a variety of weights and configurations. Jeep even offered an independent front suspension Wagoneer on the two wheel drive models. The early years of the big Jeeps offered so many variations and options that it is almost impossible to catalog them. When AMC took over the Jeep model line it helped to standardize the offerings, but even then the variations of options seemed to blur over the various model years. It seemed that Jeeps of one model year might have parts and features that were supposedly ended the previous year. AMC did good things for the Full Size Jeep. The most noticeable benefit arrived under the hood. The standard engine became the AMC 258 I-6 and optional AMC 304 and 360 V8s were offered. Later the 401 was offered. The AMC engines remained in the SJ model line until the end, even after Chrysler acquired the Jeep model line. The two most dominant engines in the FSJ legacy are the 258 and the 360. With the 360 being the most common engine. The AMC years of the big Jeeps seemed to eliminate a lot of the issues found in earlier Jeeps, but even then the owner of a Full Size Jeep can never really be certain whether his particular Jeep was retrofitted, upgraded or came that way from the factory. There are still discussions about whether Jeep really made a 1988 J-10 or not. And then there is the recorded fact that while the Wagoneer model line was officially terminated in 1991, there were four 1992's produced, the last one being displayed in Reno, Nevada, a beautiful Hunter Green jewel that I've actually touched, and even opened the doors. I was able to examine it closely and photograph it when it was in the museum's shop for routine service. Jeep took the market by storm then, and continues to. No other American automotive producer had anything comparable to the Wagoneer when it came to ride, comfort, power and over all utility. The International Harverster Scout could not compare in ride quality or passenger comfort, nor in a variety of other areas. Chevrolet had the Suburban, but it was a large truck and not aimed at the same market. Ford didn't bring the Bronco out until a few years later. Even the British Rovers used ideas from the Wagoneer. Jeep created what now may be referred to as the "Sport Utility Vehicle". Many Full Size Jeep owners take offense at that term because it is often associated with inferior vehicles, inferior in construction, ride and off road ability. In 1974 AMC Jeep introduced the Cherokee. While the two door Wagoneer had been an offering from the start, it wasn't until AMC marketed it as a sporty setup that it took off. The Cherokee stimulated the market that still exists today. The Cherokee legacy followed with the introduction of the XJ model line in 1984. The downsized Cherokee or Wagoneer. The XJ model, an AMC development, design and implementation produced the best all around Jeep ever produced. The introduction of the downsized Cherokee also meant the death of the SJ model Cherokee, making 1983 the last year of the two door Full Size Jeep. The Cherokee legend may have passed with the passing of the XJ. The new Liberty, the KJ, is sold as the Cherokee in some parts of the world, but it is not a Cherokee. The Grand Wagoneer was attempted to be replaced by the ZJ, Grand Cherokee. The ZJ model had lots of Chrysler influence, apparently from the mini-van division, well, at least looking at the back end of the ZJ. The ZJ model was replaced with the WJ Grand Cherokee. An incredible Jeep, but still not a Full Size Jeep. The panascopic vision of the Full Size Jeep has yet to be replicated. The WJ Grand Cherokee has a driveline that would have been a perfect way to upgrade the old SJ model. The fuel injected 4.7L V8 and Quadradrive would be a perfect match for a 1987 Grand Wagoneer. In 1973 when Jeep offered Quadratrac, a full time four wheel drive system, Jeep was ahead of everyone else. Jeep was years ahead of everyone else then, and for the most part, they still are. Jeep continues to hold the lead in developing and building some of the finest four wheel drive passenger vehicles that offer distinguishable abilities. One can examine the history of other four wheel drive makers and see things that Jeep pioneered. The Jeep phenomenon persists, it has persisted through ownership by Willys, Kaiser, AMC, and Chrysler. The Full Size Jeep will continue to hold a place of honor in the world of Jeep, and in the world of four wheel drive. American Motors Corporation still holds the most significant place in the history of all Jeeps, especially the Full Size Jeeps. Out of the nineteen Full Size Jeeps and seven XJ's I've owned, all but five were AMCs. August 14 - 17, 2002 there will be a gathering of Full Size Jeeps in Ouray, Colorado to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the SJ model. I plan on being there with my 1983 (AMC) Jeep J10 stepside. ------------------------- You know, when I saw the new Gremlin at the Auto Show in Chicago, I really wanted one... still haven't gotten around to buying one yet... funny when I think about it, because I drove to see it in a 1968 Ford Mustang... :) john - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** john-at-wagoneers.com via PINE on Linux ** (plain text please!) ** http://wagoneers.com ** ** http://freegift.net ** Snohomish, Washington USA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold. ...and remember, leaving life without Jesus just isn't recommended... - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Frank Swygert -- Gulfport, MS Publisher, "American Independent Magazine" (AIM) Supporting all AMC related vehicles, 1902-1987 Website: http://home.att.net/~farna/AIM.html Order a subscription via credit card from our website today!