The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is one of those classic cars that went from being corny to cool seemingly overnight. Despite its rugged 4X4 underpinnings and off-road creds, the wagon with its faux-wood siding was once cast as a domestic truckster, the kind of craft that the Griswolds might drive on their next Family Vacation.
But the Jeep’s underlying desirability shone through at last, and they are regularly restored and enjoyed as pieces of retro charm, albeit with loads of power and trail-ready performance. The mom or dad who drives the kids to school in one of these today is undeniably cool.
The Pick of the Day is a 1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer advertised on ClassicCars.com by a Kerrville, Texas, business that specializes in restoring these wagons, with some modern technology added to make them more reliable and drivable.
In the ad, the dealer goes into detail about the work that went into the restoration, including a new Howell fuel-injection system feeding the 5.9-liter V8, which has been “completely dismantled, evaluated/compression tested, crankshaft inspected, main bearings replaced, front and rear main seals replaced, new seals throughout, new timing chain, cover, oil pump, oil pan seal, motor mounts.”
Restoration work on each system and component in the Jeep is described in the ad, with refurbishing completed on the automatic transmission, cooling system, air-conditioning, steering and suspension, brakes, electrical, audio, body and trim, etc. In other words, everything on this Wagoneer has been gone through and made like new, or better, according to the ad.
“We have replaced or renewed all major systems and their components,” the dealer says.
While the mileage on this Jeep shows at 98,000 miles, that is pretty much irrelevant since it has been entirely brought back to new condition.
The asking price might seem a mite steep at $64,000, but consider that you would be getting an essentially brand-new Grand Wagoneer with desirable upgrades. And if this one is somehow not to your liking, the company currently has a number of other similarly restored Wagoneers listed on ClassicCars.com.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
So iconic and the retro restore sounds and looks terrific. Would enjoy following the Kerrville Texas business that refined this diamond in the rough. Although the price is too rich for my meager passion, it’s enjoyable to know and see that true craftsmanship still lives on in the high tech plastic world of the new aged SUV’s built today.
Thank you for sharing this with me!
Why would you select pick of the day for a VERY OVERPRICED
and OVERRATED 4×4 Jeep that they literal made so many of ?
I’m losing confidence in your "expertise"
I enjoy your writing skills and selections 90% of time
but this time IMO, you completely missed the mark for the purpose of this piece.
Nice with a ridiculous price..Jeep lover.
This was the original luxury SUV, which ushered in the era of Escallades, Range Rovers and Navigators. Owning a classic is not about function, but rather the nostalgia of the 80’s. I get more smiles and positive comments with my Waggy, than my buddy does with his F430. Its a frickin time machine!
You don’t know much. Ever own one. Good thing opinions are so cheep.
$64,000.00? I guess everything is BIG in Texas! Good Luck with that.
That a bit high for 25 yr old car. For that price, I would want a newer motor like a 5.3 and transmission for better mpg.
Nice article, Bob! Appreciate you singling out a Grand Wagoneer for your pick. Naysayers aren’t tuned in to the market, it doesn’t sound like, as we started topping $60,000 for these 7 years ago. There’s a White 1991 listed on our website currently that sold (before it got to the ClassicCars site) for $86,000, 33k miles, super original condition. And still a good ways from the top sale over our 25 years of restoring these Jeeps. (We have restored over 1960 Jeep GW’s since 1993) and we have none of last year’s inventory – so they all sell and we keep going strong. Best, Chip
These Wagoneers are quickly becoming a piece of Americana, we did a Retro-Mod version with a reman 6.0 LS engine and trans to go with it. The early 60s grille was located and round 7" LEDs now replace the original lighting. Restored interior as well while keeping the classic feel. Check it out here https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/311699909617010/