1985 Jeep Comanche. For seven years, you could actually buy an honest-to-goodness Jeep pickup. Following the success of the vaguely pickup-like Scrambler, the Comanche filled the niche formerly occupied by the J10 and J20, also known as the Gladiator. For thirty years, Jeep had a pickup in the line-up (and for years before that, when it was Willys), and rumors abounded in the mid-2000s that a mid-sized version might make a comeback.
Alas, it seems to have vanished, and Jeeps have gotten more [GASP] civilized. The suspensions have become more road-friendly as fewer and fewer drivers make full use of the Jeep trademark off-road capability, and the marque runs the risk of turning into just another SUV company. With Fiat at the helm, it's hard to see Jeep getting back to its down-and-dirty roots, but there's always hope.
I do have to admit, though, that the four door Wrangler with top removed and the half-doors is a passable modern version of the VW Thing...
That is all.
6 comments:
Jay,
Thanks for the shout-out on the VW Thing. Been one of my faves for a LONG time. I occasionally see one running around. In fact, there's one I see now and again in Westford . . . dark orange with a black top. They're a classic.
- B
My neighbour owned a Comanche and loved it so much he searched high and low to buy another to replace it.
Al_in_Ottawa
Those were remarkably affordable back in the day. Almost bought one, instead got the 2 door Cherokee.
I test drove a VW Thing on a blustery cold winter's night in Marshfield, Massachusetts. I was so unimpressed with the vehicle that I turned around and bought a used Jeep CJ-5.
I had a brand spanking new '88 Jeep Comanche with the Eliminator package. Loved it...Got married, had our first kid, and replaced it with a .... Bronco II...
Problem today is that Jeeps are now unibody... Take it off road at your own risk...
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