About three years ago, Jeep once again committed to the pickup truck segment, the most lucrative of the American auto industry, with the launch of the Gladiator. Selling from $33,500, it barely managed to reach close to 80,000 units delivered in 2020, though, according to Car Sales Base.
The fact that there’a a new Jeep pickup truck on the market is not stopping fans of Scrambler CJ-8s from paying more than the sum charged for a new Gladiator on the older model, assuming the right one comes along, of course.
And one apparently did earlier this week on Bring a Trailer, where it went for $37,500. That’s just under the price valuation company Hagerty estimates a Concours-condition one to be worth, and well above the one for an excellent-condition Jeep (that would be $41,100 and 30,200, respectively).
The CJ-8 was born in 1981 as a pickup truck-like machine with a box instead of a bed at the rear, and a removable half cab. It was kept in production for just five years, and that makes it incredibly alluring for present-day collectors and investors.
The one we have here came to be one year after the production of the line started, was in possession of a single owner for the past 15 years, and, most importantly, is no longer stock. The Jeep went through a refurbishment prior to 2006, during which time it received cosmetic upgrades, and a new engine.
The truck runs a chrome-finished grille, aftermarket bumpers, running boards, and a tan bikini top, while the interior is fitted with tan leather bolstered front seats, hidden stereo, and speakers mounted behind the dashboard grille.
The 15-inch wheels get their spin from a 350ci (5.7-liter) engine topped by Edelbrock carburetor and intake and tied to a four-speed manual transmission. The powerplant shows just 3,000 (4,800 km) miles of use since work on it was completed in 2006.
And one apparently did earlier this week on Bring a Trailer, where it went for $37,500. That’s just under the price valuation company Hagerty estimates a Concours-condition one to be worth, and well above the one for an excellent-condition Jeep (that would be $41,100 and 30,200, respectively).
The CJ-8 was born in 1981 as a pickup truck-like machine with a box instead of a bed at the rear, and a removable half cab. It was kept in production for just five years, and that makes it incredibly alluring for present-day collectors and investors.
The one we have here came to be one year after the production of the line started, was in possession of a single owner for the past 15 years, and, most importantly, is no longer stock. The Jeep went through a refurbishment prior to 2006, during which time it received cosmetic upgrades, and a new engine.
The truck runs a chrome-finished grille, aftermarket bumpers, running boards, and a tan bikini top, while the interior is fitted with tan leather bolstered front seats, hidden stereo, and speakers mounted behind the dashboard grille.
The 15-inch wheels get their spin from a 350ci (5.7-liter) engine topped by Edelbrock carburetor and intake and tied to a four-speed manual transmission. The powerplant shows just 3,000 (4,800 km) miles of use since work on it was completed in 2006.