Menu Close
In This Article
Category: Classics

The Jeep Wagoneer rolls proud in the pantheon of iconic American cars and trucks because it bridges the gap between the two as the progenitor of the popular sport utility vehicle. Combining car-like appointments and wagon practicality with steadfast off-road capability, the Wagoneer carries such great influence that people identify similar vehicles as Jeeps, even when they're not.

The Wagoneer could and did go anywhere, but is particularly well suited to the vast expanses of the Southwestern states, where roads turn to dirt and then dirt into rocks on the way to getting around. Another feature of the Jeep Wagoneer worked so well with the majesty of the west that it became the de facto reason for people to buy up sport utility vehicles that had slim or no chance of ever going off road: the view.

Jeep called it chair-height seats and picture-window visibility. Some call it a lot of glass. In any event, it granted a grand view from the Wagoneer for passenger and driver alike. Combine utility, handsome good looks, multiple surface capabilities, and the fact that the Wagoneer became more refined with each passing year, and the ongoing success of the Wagoneer formula in the contemporary and collector car markets is clear.

This 1972 Jeep Wagoneer was purchased new by the current owner's grandparents, Merwyn (Jim) and Elizabeth Merrick, after a rock spelled the end of their Rambler wagon transmission. Chevrolet Suburbans, International Travelalls, and other truck-based wagons were all tried and tested, but none had the ground clearance and versatility of the Jeep for the rugged Sierra Nevada mountain driving requirement of combined highway and off-road use.

1972 was the first year for the AMC 360-cubic-inch V-8, though the futuristic Quadra-Trac was still a year out in 1973. This Wagoneer was not a lot pick, and is unusual in that it was ordered with high-end features such as power steering, Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission, air conditioning, Scorpio custom fabric seats and passenger side mirror; while the radio, power brakes and electric rear window were left at the factory. A set of Goodyear Suburbanite Polyglas H78-15 off-road tires completed the custom-ordered Wagoneer.

Current owner Matthew Edmonds inherited this heirloom Jeep before he was old enough to drive, and got to work bringing it back to driveable condition after 121,000 rugged miles had left the engine running rough.

"I remember it running once when I was only about six years old, but other than that, to me it was always just an old car sitting under the carport next to the Rambler. I spent every year of my life only a few feet from that car when I would go out to see the Rambler or take the tractor for a joyride, but I never really looked at the old Jeep. When I turned 13 and became more interested in old cars, I couldn't help but notice the old, white Jeep.

"Summer 2010 came around, and I was searching for my first car, I wanted a Willys Jeep CJ from the 1940s, but they were too expensive and did not work too well as daily drivers. I knew I needed a Jeep to do the off-roading I wanted to do, and I also wanted it to be old, for I liked old cars more than new ones. I also needed something that I could drive every day to school and such."

Jim wanted Matthew to have the old Jeep Wagoneer, and after Matthew found and scoured through a 1972 Jeep Wagoneer service manual, he was convinced that the Wagoneer was a better answer than the CJ.

The drivetrain was not entirely worn out, but it was tired. Matthew got the truck moving again, but decided it was time for a total overhaul when the once-mighty 360 V-8 could barely hold the Jeep at western states' highway speeds. Matthew pulled the engine, removed all the components, and sent the block and heads out to Flagstaff Machine for the machine work and parts to bring the engine back to better-than-new specifications.

The engine was returned in the back of a pickup truck as a turnkey long-block. Matthew bolted everything back on and dropped it back into the Wagoneer, where it continues to run strong. The transmission was checked and found to be in excellent condition. An external cooler was added to help defeat the archenemy and destroyer of many automatic transmissions: heat. Matthew, like his grandfather before him, uses the Wagoneer for off-road excursions and wanted the transmission to keep its cool on hot trails.

test The Wagoneer lives up to its advertising claims of being better than the average wagon, and is shown here in action on the Broken Arrow Trail and at rest in the Bishop, California, driveway circa 1972.

The engine was a stock rebuild, but the original carburetor was shelved. A 1984 Jeep carburetor was a driveability upgrade, as was a lot of the work Matthew performed on the Wagoneer. Driving a classic car in the modern world can, in fact, be a fully competent experience. Matthew upgraded the AC system to R134 with all new seals and a reconditioning.

test

While the 1984 carburetor has a slight uptick in airflow over the Seventies vintage stocker, it also has built-in altitude compensation--an important feature considering that Matthew travels from his 7,000-foot-high home base in Flagstaff to Bishop, a mere 4,150 feet above sea level. Matthew didn't stray far from the original engineering that made the Jeep a Jeep. Twenty miles per gallon is the best recorded so far.

"I still consider it stock. Jim had the spare tire relocated to the cargo area sometime in the mid-1970s, and added a coolant overflow bottle. I have added a radio and antenna. Little things like that, but there are no major modifications," said Matthew.

The suspension is literally as tough as it ever was. Matthew says any problems have been minor and were easily repaired and rehabilitated with fresh parts such as Monroe shock absorbers on all four corners. Matthew performed a total brake overhaul, so that the Wagoneer stops as well as it goes.

Some touchup and buffing brought back an original-looking Champagne White exterior paint job, with the historical references left in place. Legendary fence-post and rock damage remains on the right front fender as a conversation starter to the story of how the fence post and rock are an integral part in the shaping of the Jeep. It stands as an example of the machine's now proven capability and durability.

Jim was off-roading on the aptly named Blind Spring Hill. The Jeep and Jim were descending the hill, with Jim standing on the firewall, when a considerable chunk of tufa rock came up out of the ground and left its mark. The famous fence post on the family property in Bishop, California, tagged the same area as the tufa rock, though this time it wasn't Jim standing on the firewall coming down the mountain, but Matthew's mom, Suzanne, hitting the fence post, which also tagged a Firebird belonging to Matthew's dad, Richard.

The Wagoneer sat for a long time in a carport, with the right side facing the lawn and getting a regularly scheduled blast from the sprinklers. Hard water, and many days of sunshine, left mineral and cottonwood seed deposits on the car, which took plenty of elbow grease and 3M compound to remove.

"I had to take a DA buffer and heavy-duty compound to all the chrome, paint, even the windows. Nothing would take it off. I tried CLR, razor blades, chemicals--nothing would take it off."

The interior needed a little help, as well. The center fabric in the front seats was replaced around 1978. The original was a more open-style weave, yet the replacement '70s-issue fabric was made from durable space-age polymers, as were the replacement side bolsters. "It's that scary Brady Bunch plaid that never dies," said Suzanne. "We used to call that Bachelor Plaid," said Richard.

This Jeep has been in the same family for three generations, and has been driven most of that time. With the drivetrain, brakes, and suspension brought back to snuff, it gets driven daily once more. "It had definitely worked hard in its life. It still has some body damage. The main thing was the drivetrain: It had towed and hauled.

Jim Merrick drove the Jeep until 2002, and passed it on to Matthew in 2010. Elizabeth Merrick used the Jeep as a daily driver, tow vehicle, firewood getter, family wagon and not least of which as an off-road exploration vehicle to get to less-traveled locations where she enjoyed painting landscapes. The family wagon is still in the family.

"I grew up in a 1993 Grand Cherokee. I grew up around Jeeps. Eventually, I got to the point where I wanted to go out and explore, and I needed my own vehicle. We were looking to get an old World War II-style or civilian Jeep. You can get a basket case for 500 bucks, or you can get a nice driveable one for $5,000. I could get this car for free! It's comfortable. It's rugged," said Matthew. And, Suzanne chimed in, "it has a heater!"

Matthew was 15 when he began restoring this car. "The first show we took it to, I had to drive it for him, he didn't even have his training permit yet. He did all the work on it, and I had to drive it. He doesn't let us drive it any more, though!" said Suzanne.

Matthew drives the Jeep daily and far beyond. Flagstaff to Bishop trips are not unheard of. One two-day jaunt went to Reno, Nevada, and back, on and off the road, for a total of 1,400 miles round-trip through Las Vegas, then into Bishop, and into Reno by way of Carson City. "In a sense, the trip was a homecoming. Grandpa took the Wagoneer to the top of White Mountain Peak (14,246 feet) near Bishop when the Wagoneer was almost new," said Matthew.

Matthew went through about a year of sorting out various gremlins by way of driving the Jeep, but is fully confident in the car's mechanical ability and reliability. Regular maintenance is an ongoing process, as Matthew plans on holding onto the Wagoneer for a long time. "It's the most flawless-running old vehicle engine I've seen. It starts beautifully. It runs perfectly smooth. All the emission controls are there, and it uses the stock air cleaner," said Matthew.

The Wagoneer is a hit wherever Matthew takes it. When the family does take it to a car show or a barbecue, it has room for everyone and everything. Doing a lot with a little is certainly a way to describe the Wagoneer, a vehicle that can be driven down the highway or over the most rugged of terrain in comfort and style--yet still have enough room to take home along with you. Add the driveability upgrades Matthew built into the Wagoneer and you have a classic car that drives in the modern on- and off-the-road worlds. Matthew plans to keep driving the Jeep with the family it has been part of for over 40 years and pass it onto the next generation.

"I can point to dents on the side and tell you exactly how they were put there; I can tell you the entire history. It's almost like I am the original owner of a car that is three times older than I am. I know about all its little quirks like how it has the brake pedal of a manual transmission car even though it is an automatic, or why there are pine tree sap stains on some of the cargo area. Not many people have the luxury of knowing firsthand the history and uniqueness of their vehicle, let alone the family ties. Plus I love the interior and exterior styling; it's just such a good-looking vehicle and it fits my personality perfectly."

Owner's View

"It serves me well as a daily driver, off-road exploration vehicle. Basically, it does what it has always done, and accumulates several thousand miles a year. While it used to explore every corner of Eastern California and Western Nevada, it is now on the fast track to mapping the wide-open spaces of Northern Arizona. I often take it to car shows and even won a Junior Silver award at the 2011 AMO International Convention--not bad for an original daily driver. Most of the time, it is in my high school parking lot on weekdays and on a trail for the weekends."

-Matthew Edmonds

1972 Jeep Wagoneer specs

Base price: $4,640

Price as profiled: $6,000

Options on car profiled 360-cu in V-8 engine, Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission, power steering, air conditioning, Code 392 Scorpio fabric bucket seats in buff color, center armrest, heavy-duty cooling, heavy-duty electrical 55 amp, skid plate, tinted windows, undercoating, passenger-side rearview mirror

ENGINE

Type: Cast-iron OHV V-8

Displacement: 360-cubic inches

Bore x stroke: 4.08 x 1.75 inches

Compression ratio: 8.5:1

Horsepower @ RPM: 175 @ 4,000

Torque @ RPM: 285-lbs ft @ 2,400

Valvetrain: Stamped-steel rockers on stud

Main bearings: Five

Fuel system: Two-barrel Motorcraft w/mechanical fuel pump

Lubrication system: Full pressure

Electrical system: 12-volt

Exhaust system: Single 2.5-inch steel tube

TRANSMISSION

Type: Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400

Ratios -

1st: 2.5:1

2nd: 1.5:1

3rd: 1:1

Reverse: 2.08:1

DIFFERENTIAL

Type -

Rear: Dana 44 with limited slip

Front: Dana 30 open

Ratio, front and rear: 3.3:1

STEERING

Type: Saginaw recirculating ball power assist

Ratio: 17.5:1

Turning circle radius: 44 feet

BRAKES

Type: Bendix manual drum

Front: 11 x 2-inch

Rear: 11 x 2-inch

CHASSIS & BODY

Construction: Body on frame

Body style: Wagon

Layout: Front engine, four-wheel drive

SUSPENSION

Front: Semi-elliptic leaf

Rear: Semi-elliptic leaf

WHEELS & TIRES

Wheels: Steel, full wheel covers

Front: 15 x 7 inches

Rear: 15 x 7 inches

Tires, front and rear: Cooper Discoverer ST P235/75-R15

WEIGHTS & MEASURES

Wheelbase: 110 inches

Overall length: 184 inches

Overall width: 75.5 inches

Overall height: 65 inches

Front track: 57 inches

Rear track: 57 inches

Curb weight: 3,850 pounds

CAPACITIES

Crankcase: 6 quarts

Cooling system: 13 quarts

Fuel tank: 22 gallons

Transmission: 11 pints

CALCULATED DATA

Bhp per cu.in.: 0.5

Weight per bhp: 19.25 pounds

Weight per cu.in.: 10.70 pounds

PRODUCTION

1972 models: 51,621

Pros & Cons

+ Iconic styling

+ Epic versatility

+ Off-road capability

- Leaf springs

- Drum brakes

- Bachelor plaid

What to Pay

Low: $3,000-$5,000

Average: $8,000-$11,000

High: $14,000-$17,000

Club Corner

American Motors Owners Association

892 North Jackson Ave.

Jefferson, Wisconsin 53549

920-674-4482

www.amonational.com

Dues: $35

Membership: 2,200

Recent
1982 Caprice Wagon diesel

For sale now on Hemmings.com, is the foundation for an epic diesel wagon build, and I’m pretty jazzed about it. While not a hot commodity in its day, and even less so now, this spaciously appointed oil-hammer of a family hauler seems to check all of the boxes for an affordable ($3,500), fun machine. And when one learns of the Greek-esque tragedy that doomed an entire generation of diesel-fed GM rides, it would sure be nice to watch someone give this humble Caprice the road-going redemption it is so sorely owed.

Let’s talk a bit about that diesel engine.

Keep reading...Show Less
Volvo’s Last Diesel Engine Left the Factory in a XC90 SUV
Volvo

The final Volvo powered by a diesel engine has officially left production lines after the automaker announced the end of diesel-powered Volvos earlier this year. Volvo’s plans to end diesel engine production were initially leaked in 2017, but the advanced notice doesn’t make the end of an era any less saudade. The blue XC90 pictured above, a mild hybrid SUV, was the last Volvo to be built with a diesel engine.

Despite Volvo’s diesel era lasting for 45 years, the company didn’t begin to track diesel car production numbers until 1991. Records indicate that Volvo has since produced more than nine million diesel-powered vehicles, but it wasn't until 2001 that Volvo began building its own diesel engines. The first to be built in-house was a five-cylinder assembled at the automaker’s factory in Skövde. The very last Volvo diesel, the blue XC90 pictured above, will be put on display at the World of Volvo Museum in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Keep reading...Show Less

Trending

╳