We’ve given the Jeep Gladiator pickup some serious love here at CC (links below), but when we spotted this on a bike ride recently, sitting in front of one of the many new student apartment buildings that have sprouted here lately, I just had to shoot it and share it. It’s got some very vintage late 70s graphics; the only question is what exact vintage, as these trucks are pretty hard to pin down the exact year.
It’s all in the grille, meaning the little variations that Jeep made from time to time. I’ll leave it to someone here to tell us the exact year, but I’ll guess…1978?
The graphics have faded some, which only makes them more…compelling. But this is a very well preserved truck. And if it belongs to a student, he/she has a highly distinctive ride.
And that goes for the interior. The Laredo trim is pretty snazzy for one of these, but by the late 70s, sport trucks were all the rage, and Jeep was trying hard to keep the J10 relevant. Quadratrac full-time AWD explains the lack of any lever protruding from the floor. Power could have been anything from the 258 six all the way to the AMC 401 V8.
Hi Stephanie! She tries hard to stay out of my shots, but sometimes it just can’t be helped; or noticed until I look at my shots on a big monitor.
Here’s another look at that graphics applique. Good luck replacing that for a restoration.
Whoever it belongs to, they’ve got themselves a mighty cool ride. And one that will have a ticket on the windshield soon, given the two hour parking maximum and the chalk line on the rear wheel.
More Gladiator Love:
CC: 1965 Jeep Gladiator – Holy Toledo!
By the grille, I think this is a ’79 or ’80. The rectangular headlamps began in ’79, and the ’81s went to a vertical slotted grille.
+1. Im going with a ’79 because I know for sure that grille debuted for that MY. But, Im not sure about ’80. Somewhere in the very early ’80s these had square headlites and a plastic vertical slot grille not unlike what the XJ Cherokees had.
Actually, I spoke too soon…its at least an ’80 model. Laredo wasn’t a trim package in ’79.
Nice, I’d take one. This along with a similar vintage Cherokee Chief. Could’ve bought a J20 a year or two back, would’ve made a nice work truck.
Can anyone tell me what’s original and what’s not in the interior? Based on my limited knowledge of Jeep trucks, I’d say yes on the bucket seats, but no on the console.
Although it blends in nicely, I think that console is aftermarket (most likely from Walmart).
The AM/FM stereo is original and probably quite rare for one of these.
Those bucket are suspect. Theyre definitely Jeep items…I know, because my ’81 Laredo had that exact pattern but in a honey brown…Laredo CJs had these up thru at least ’84. Whether these were on FSJ Laredos…I cant be sure.
It always impressed me that when AMC went with a single central tailgate latch on these, they used a rear door handle off of one of their passenger cars instead of tooling up for a different part. Sooo practicle.
My brother had a very similar paint job on his first Harley Sportster,a 73 kick start XLCH with T bars and drag pipes.
Student housing has changed a lot since the 80s, that building looks great. The lines of the Jeep work well with those of the building. Great shots Paul.
It’s always been architecturally on point for whatever era it was built in (if we’re talking official, university-owned dorms); the condition of the inside is a different story…
I love this generation for the Jeep J10.
That is one sweet truck. Great find! When I was a kid the corner mini store used to rent out bicycles built for 2 (around 1965). Brought back memories of me and my late sister cruising up to Mt.Tabor on one of these tandem bikes like you and your wife have. Lots of fun.
What I know about these could probably fit in a shot glass, but judging by the square headlights, I’d have to believe this would be from towards the end of the model run.
Hopefully it does not live outside, the weather and UV won’t help keeping the paint and graphics in good shape.
It is pretty rare to see these here in Australia, but there are a few around. A couple of days ago I saw a pretty weathered ‘woodie’ Cherokee or Grand Wagoneer; Jeep didn’t use the Grand Wagoneer name here and I’m not sure if they had the fake wood either. There have been some private imports and I’m sure some would have been modified by their owners too.
This truck is an INCREDIBLY sweet find! That paint job is worthy of any custom car, truck or van from about ’72 to about ’85. Love the color choices too. And it goes without saying that I love the actual truck. One of my all time favorite pickups, actually. Hopefully, the owner knows what he/she has and keeps this thing in such pristine condition. That little bit of fading actually adds to the effect from what the pics show.
Sweet looking Jeep. I love the paint job on it. It’s a shame that Jeep discontinued it when they did.
I never see these on the road. They are so much cooler than Chevys and fords of that vintage. From what I have read during the 70s they were considered an old mans truck. I’m not sure why.
I agree. Unfortunately, there are any number of vehicles that would for some reason be considered “old people’s vehicles.” Why that is, I don’t know. My favourite cars are the 1956 Buick Special. I like the 1959-61 Studebaker Lark. I also like the 1964 Buick. And I’m 42 yrs old. Go figure!