Dad Stuff: New Jeep Wagoneer
September 11, 2011, By Craig J. Heimbuch 0 comments
When I was covering the North American International Auto Show in Detroit there were murmers. Would they or won't they? The executives from Jeep tried to keep the attention on the all-new Grand Cherokee and revamped Compass, but they couldn't help but smile when they were asked about the rumors that they were bringing the greatest non-Wrangler of all-time back to market—the Wagoneer.
Essentially a wood-paneled version of the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, the Wagoneer lost a little something in the 1990s and eventually just went away. And now that it appears that Jeep is indeed bringing it back, it's got me nostalgic. My friend Eric's family had two of them when I was growing up. An '86 and an '87. One was black, the other butterscotch. He used to pick me up for school in whichever one his mom wasn't driving, and I have had a deep and abiding love of the vehicle—particularly that vintage—ever since.
The big, heavy doors felt like they weighed a ton, and you felt like you were sitting up about 15 feet off the ground. The leather seats were down-soft and buttery. It was built for comfort on the inside, style on the outside and work under the hood. The Wagoneer is popping up in a lot of places—Tommy Hilfiger photo shoots and movie backdrops—and has enjoyed a small but devoted following from enthusiasts who now find it easier to connect through the internet.
If I had to guess, I'd say the new Wagoneer will look a lot like the new Grand Cherokee. Sleek and modern, but with wood panels (Jeep is nothing if not a brand aware of heritage). And, to me, that's kind of a shame. I prefer the bigger, artier Wagoneers. And thanks to people like the folks at The Wagonmaster and GrandWagoneer, I can get one. Both are among a dedicated group of restorers and resellers who offer beautifully remastered versions of the original. It will cost a pretty penny (expect to pay a minimum of $30,000, but it could be well more than twice that), but what's classier when dropping the kids off at soccer practice—a wood-paneled work of art or a cheaply made and plastic sub-SUV?
Yeah, I thought so.
Here's to the Wagoneer. A classic that will never die.
