1964 Kaiser Jeep FC170 ‘forward-control’ pickup

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The Jeep ‘forward control’ pickup is a rarely seen but iconic classic truck

The Pick of the Day is one of the oddest-looking pickup trucks ever made, but one that has achieved icon status among the cadre of true Jeep faithful. Rare then and much rarer today, the “forward-control” pickup was recently celebrated by Jeep with a modern concept version.

The 1964 Kaiser Jeep FC170 has been comprehensively restored, according to the Glen Ellyn, Illinois, dealer advertising the truck on ClassicCars.com. This is a beefy ¾ ton, four-wheel-drive truck designed for heavy duty, but in its apparently immaculate condition, this one would be more at home on the car-show field or showed off on cruise night.

The heavy-duty Jeep pickup boasts a large cargo bed

“This could be your only chance to ever buy a fully restored FC170,” the seller says in the listing. “No kidding, they are that rare.”

The listing photos show what looks like a brand-new cab-forward truck painted an appropriate metallic green with bright-white, industrial-strength steel wheels shod with knobby off-road tires. A photo of the truck under restoration with the cab off shows the stout framework and overall clean condition underneath.

“This Jeep was fully restored by a professional shop in 2010,” the dealer says. “Nothing was overlooked, full frame-off restoration. Since restoration, the Jeep has accumulated approximately 1,000 proven miles and runs great.”

The listing is unclear whether the Jeep has its correct engine, noting that “seller has the original powertrain with the legendary Super Hurricane 6-cylinder engine.” From the photos, it looks like that engine is what is installed.

The only obvious change from original is the addition of modern bucket seats, which don’t look that great but are undoubtedly more comfortable than the old chairs.

Hard to speculate about the value of this unusual collector’s item, but the $25,000 asking price seems fair enough considering its standout rarity and restored condition.

The Jeep could be used for romping through the boonies, hauling cargo or farm supplies, or just driving and enjoying, its high-profile uniqueness turning every head in sight.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

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Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen is a longtime automotive writer and editor, focusing on new vehicles, collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. He is the former automotive writer and editor for The Arizona Republic and SPEED.com, the website for the SPEED motorsports channel. He has written free-lance articles for a number of publications, including Autoweek, The New York Times and Barrett-Jackson auction catalogs. A collector car enthusiast with a wide range of knowledge about the old cars that we all love and desire, Bob enjoys tinkering with archaic machinery. His current obsession is a 1962 Porsche 356 Super coupe.