This 1972 Jeep Commando Hits Us Squarely in the Nostalgia
This head-turning Jeep Commando has a V8, a manual gearbox and paint on the inside — just as God intended.
Back in 1972, gas cost just 58 cents a gallon. A pair of Wranglers cost 12 bucks and a Frisbee for the dog to chase cost less than a dollar. Perfect to go with your Jeep Commando that cost only $2,322.80. Of course, the average yearly income was $11,800, but still, that’s a lot of machine for the money. And it still is. We came across this warm slice of Americana on Classic Cars for around $16,000.
It’s a beautiful reminder that you don’t need the latest and greatest in high tech gear just to get out and enjoy the world. After all, a burbling V8, the option for four-wheel drive and the charm of a two-tone paint job is more than enough to get the family out into the countryside for some fun.
1972 was a vintage year for the Jeep Commando. No longer was it the Jeepster, and it gained the character of its full-width grill. Engine choices that year was between two AMC I6’s or the 151 horsepower AMC–304 V8. The kicker is that the 1972 V8 was 50 horses down on the previous year.
The smarter engine choice could actually be the 258 I6 as it was legendarily reliable and still made great torque. Well, it may have been in 1972, but at this time when engines are getting smaller and gaining turbos, we love an old V8 regardless.
Going by the pictures, it looks like this one is still being used. We hope the next owner uses it as intended as well. Not only does something like this turn heads, but it reminds us of the past as we keep moving into the future.
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