This was something that doesn't happen often. Myself and fellow Indy-area car spotter Jim Grey both caught this Russet Metallic 1979-1985 Jeep Wagoneer Limited, possibly the same day. Certainly we both saw it on College Avenue.
The plush "Limited" model of the AWD Wagoneer was introduced midway through the 1978 model year, and all Wagoneers, whether base or Limited, only came with the 360 V-8. Over fifteen feet long, with a two-and-a-quarter ton curb weight and boasting full-time Quadra-Trac four wheel drive, the V-8's torque was felt necessary.
Then came the '79 Energy Crisis, triggered by the Iranian Revolution, and so for '80, you could get your 4WD Wagoneer with either a 97bhp 258 cubic inch OHV inline six as a credit delete option, or with the standard 360cid American Motors V-8 fitted with a Motorcraft 2bbl carburetor and pumping out 127 SAE net horsepower.
The faux-woodie fad was starting to wane by the early Eighties, but it still signified the more luxurious version of most wagon models. I think those optional slotted forged aluminum wheels mark it as a 1980, but I'm no Jeep expert.
It was photographed with a Canon EOS-1D Mark III and EF 24-105mm f/4L IS zoom lens in April of 2024.
Those things are tanks, and they look far more station wagon-ish than anything the Big 3 offered. But apparently the V-8 was pretty brutal on gas; a cousin of mine had one some 30+ years ago and didn't drive it much for that very reason.
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