7 Underrated Jeep Concepts From the Past
Jeep spoils us with awesome new concept cars every year, but here are seven Jeep concept designs that have stood the test of time.
7. 1979 Jeep Jeepster II
The Ecco was designed to combine the versatile, go-anywhere nature of classic Jeep models with features tailored to the environmentally conscious. Painted in a unique turtle green, the Ecco was built using recyclable materials like aluminum and plastic. It was equipped with a compact 1.5-liter, two-stroke "Series Three" engine from Chrysler, delivering 85 horsepower and positioned mid-vehicle for balance. This lightweight, two-door, four-passenger, full-time four-wheel-drive vehicle incorporated plastic "rafts" to reinforce and safeguard its upper body.
6. 2021 Jeepster Beach
The 2021 Jeepster Beach concept stands out not just for meticulous details like its chrome roll cage, custom red leather seats, and subtly reworked body design. Its brilliance also lies in its simplicity. The original Jeepster Commando was revolutionary for its time. The Jeepster Beach concept reimagines this legacy by merging a 1968 Jeepster Commando (C-101) with a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Designed for fun in the sun, this beach-inspired cruiser retains its carefree spirit, combining original chrome accents with a vibrant two-tone paint scheme in Hazy IPA and Zinc Oxide.
5. 1997 Jeep Icon
The Jeep Icon represented a bold reimagining of the Wrangler, combining enhanced capabilities with a compact, muscular design. Chrysler’s design team faced the challenge of modernizing this iconic vehicle while preserving its unique identity. By enlarging the bumper, tires, and wheel arches, they achieved a confident stance, shortening the length by five inches (127 mm), reducing overhang by two inches (51 mm), widening the track, and increasing wheel travel from eight inches (203 mm) to ten inches (254 mm).
4. 2017 Jeep Quicksand
The Quicksand concept blends Jeep Wrangler toughness with hot rod style, debuting at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab back in 2017. Built on a lengthened chassis, it features a chopped sedan-delivery body, minimal fenders, and a 392-cubic-inch Hemi V-8 engine paired with a Getrag six-speed manual. Its bold design includes eight polished velocity stacks, fluted blowhorn exhausts, and 18-inch vintage mag wheels with mud tires—32 inches up front and 37 inches in the rear. With a low roof, coil-over dampers, and quirky details like a Moon tank and a “Secure before Flight” recovery rope, the Quicksand is as eye-catching as it is capable in the sand.
3. 1986 Jeep JJ Project
In 1986, Suzuki’s compact Samurai SUV became an unexpected rival to Jeep, offering off-road capability at a base price of $6,550, significantly undercutting the Wrangler’s $9,899 tag. Its popularity soared, with Suzuki selling far beyond initial projections and threatening Jeep’s market share. To counter this, Jeep launched the “JJ” project, aimed at creating a more affordable, performance-focused competitor. Designed as a lightweight roadster with a longer wheelbase and wider frame than the Samurai, the JJ was set to feature a 2.5-liter Chrysler engine and innovative unibody construction. However, the project was ultimately shelved due to high costs, unmet performance expectations, and Chrysler’s decision to prioritize the Grand Cherokee. Despite its potential, the JJ was deemed unviable, marking a missed opportunity in Jeep’s history.
2. 1998 Jeep Jeepster
The Jeepster concept combines a V-8 sports car’s power with Jeep's off-road capability, designed for both speed and rugged terrain. Featuring an adjustable suspension, it offers ground clearance from 5¾ inches on-road to 9¾ inches for rock crawling. Powered by a 4.7-liter V-8 engine with a Quadra-Trac II transmission, it also includes a bold red body, military-inspired interior, and weather-resistant leather seats. Its Goodyear EMT tires provide off-road durability without the need for a spare, and its 3,400-pound weight makes it a versatile, high-performance vehicle.
1. 1970 Jeep XJ002 Bolide
And then there's this. The Bolide Jeep, built on a Jeep Commando pickup chassis with a Buick V6 engine and automatic transmission, was a concept that had potential but fell victim to poor timing. Designed before AMC acquired Jeep and completed afterward, it debuted at the 1970 New York Auto Show, showcasing unique features like a Zagato-style double-bubble roof. However, Jeep lost interest, and it was returned to Borg-Warner, eventually sold for just $1. Though it passed through several owners and was modified over the years, the Bolide Jeep is now being restored to its original yellow form. The vehicle was designed by Dann Deaver and Bolide Motor Car Corporation, with more details available in an in-depth story by Geoffrey Hacker.