Everything You Need To Know Before Buying a Vintage Jeep

Whether you’re an antique auto enthusiast or a military history buff, the thought of owning and maintaining a vintage Jeep is an intriguing notion. Besides their history of service and old-school vehicle charm, Jeeps can bring a sense of adventure to driving or a sense of pride at local car shows. Before making the decision to invest in one of these “old soldiers,” take time to read about them and what they demand from their owners. Here’s everything you need to know before buying a vintage Jeep.

Assess Your Needs

First, ask yourself why you’d like to own a vintage Jeep. Looking for something that’ll take you into the deep woods for a weekend of fishing and hunting? Do you want a fun vehicle for trips to the store? Knowing what you want a vintage Jeep for will help you make a wise decision—more use means more work on the Jeep to ensure it is road (and off-road) ready. It’s also important to determine if you want a perfectly accurate vehicle or to personalize your little roadster.

Get To Know Its History

Jeeps have a rich history that stretches back decades. Jeeps were created to help soldiers get from place to place, transport supplies and the wounded, and perform other duties during World War II. The popular models in use during WWII were Willys MB models. In the period between WWII and the mid-80s, it was the CJ series, and the earliest Wranglers came about in the 80s and 90s. Every model has a unique style and maintenance requirements, so familiarize yourself with them and decide which one suits your personality, budget, and willingness to care for it.

Thoroughly Inspect It

Let’s say you find (seemingly) the perfect vintage Jeep. Before you lay down the cash, give the car a thorough inspection, preferably with an experienced mechanic familiar with that model—you may have to hire one. Look at the frame, floors, and body, watching out for rust. After many decades, it’s likely there in spots that aren’t immediately obvious. Combating rust will be a big point of the restoration process.

Check out the engine, transmission, and electrical systems, as well, and ask the seller for a test drive if the car is still drivable. This will help you determine how much work you’ll need to pour into restoring the Jeep to running condition and calculate whether it’s worth it. Be warned: vintage auto restoration is never cheap!

Investigate Parts Availability

Vintage Jeeps are particular about where their parts come from. Cannibalizing other Jeeps for parts or finding a place that carries modern substitutes is challenging. Fortunately, the vintage Jeep community is vast and active online, so you can usually connect with other owners about finding parts. Networking puts you in touch with suppliers and other drivers eager to help you with your hobby.

That’s everything you need to know before buying a vintage Jeep. Buying a vintage Jeep is a rewarding experience, but it’s also a costly one. With time, talent, funds, and sweat, owning and driving one is a thrill like no other!