1976 Jeep CJ-7 Custom " AMC 401 V8 | Automatic | Quadra-Trac | Tri-Color Custom Build

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Some vintage Jeeps are restored back to stock. Others evolve over decades into something that reflects the personality of the person who owns them.

This 1976 Jeep CJ-7 is very much the latter.

The current owner, Tony, is in his 70s and has owned the Jeep for approximately 15 years. He purchased it in Cashmere, Washington, and over the years it became his personal toy and a highly individualized build. Tony knows the Jeep inside and out and has been able to provide us with considerable information about its history, equipment and modifications.

Now he s moving down from the mountains and into town, downsizing in the process. The Jeep simply isn t getting driven enough anymore, so after many years in his care he s decided it s time for someone else to enjoy it.

And there is a lot here to enjoy.

AMC 401 V8

Under the hood is one of the highlights of the entire build: an AMC 401ci V8.

The 401 is not represented as the Jeep s original engine. Tony describes it as a Speedway-built engine with a mild cam, giving the CJ considerably more personality than the powerplants typically found in these early Jeeps.

The engine is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission and Jeep s Quadra-Trac four-wheel-drive system.

It also benefits from power steering and power brakes, welcome additions in a vintage CJ that s actually intended to be driven.

Even the engine compartment received the custom treatment. The 401 wears elaborate custom graphic valve covers featuring an old-school hot-rod, pin-up and gasoline-themed collage under a glossy finish. Red ignition components add another splash of color and make the engine compartment every bit as distinctive as the exterior.

Competition Orange, Lemon Twist Yellow & Alpine White

You aren t likely to mistake this CJ for somebody else s.

The body wears an elaborate three-color custom paint scheme combining Ford Competition Orange, Lemon Twist Yellow and Alpine White.

The Competition Orange is particularly interesting because it can appear almost red in photographs and under certain lighting. In person, the orange character is much more apparent.

The three colors are carefully integrated across the body rather than simply divided into large color blocks, with fine accent striping helping define the transitions. The result has a distinctly old-school custom-show-truck character that suits the Jeep remarkably well.

The exterior paint presents beautifully overall. As you d expect from a Jeep that has been enjoyed rather than stored as a museum piece, it isn t represented as absolutely flawless, but its overall presentation is impressive.

Mustang Taillights

Look closely at the rear and you ll find one of our favorite modifications.

Instead of conventional CJ taillights, the Jeep incorporates Mustang-style three-segment taillights into the rear body.

They re an unexpected detail, yet their vertical shape fits the squared-off rear of the CJ remarkably naturally. It s exactly the kind of modification that tells you someone spent time thinking about the overall appearance of the Jeep rather than simply bolting accessories onto it.

The rear is finished with a substantial custom bumper incorporating recovery shackles and a receiver hitch, while polished dual exhaust outlets complete the view from behind.

The front received similar attention, with a heavy-duty custom bumper, recovery equipment and multiple integrated auxiliary lights.

Black fender flares, polished tubular side steps and additional custom details complete the exterior.

Lifted & Ready

This Jeep has the stance to match the 401.

It rides on American-style polished wheels wrapped in aggressive Hercules Trail Digger M/T tires, with suspension modifications providing additional height and clearance.

One particularly important detail for the next owner: the front sway-bar components are included with the Jeep and are currently stored in a box rather than installed.

That means the next owner knows exactly what is present rather than wondering what happened to the original components.

Custom Interior

The interior has received almost as much attention as the exterior.

Tony reports that the Jeep received a substantially renewed interior including seats, carpeting and instrumentation, along with a YJ-style roll cage.

The dashboard is particularly distinctive, finished in a dark woodgrain-style treatment that gives the otherwise utilitarian CJ cabin an unexpectedly finished appearance.

The large central Jeep combination instrument cluster remains the visual centerpiece of the dash, supplemented by Equus oil-pressure and volt gauges.

There is some cosmetic flaking visible on an interior door-panel surface, which we ve photographed rather than trying to hide. It is an interior cosmetic issue and should not be confused with the condition of the exterior custom paint.

A black soft top with side and rear windows provides weather protection while retaining the open-air character that makes a CJ such a different experience from a modern SUV.

A 15-Year Owner Who Knows His Jeep

One of the advantages of buying an extensively modified vintage vehicle is being able to talk to the person who has actually lived with it.

Tony has owned this Jeep for roughly 15 years and knows the vehicle and its modifications exceptionally well.

This isn t a recently acquired Jeep being flipped by someone who can t answer questions about what was done to it. Tony bought it as a toy, invested considerable time and money into it, and kept it for well over a decade.

His reason for selling isn t complicated: he s now in his 70s, he s moving from the mountains into town and downsizing, and the Jeep simply doesn t get driven enough.

That s why it s here.

Known Items & Disclosure

We believe strongly in describing our consignment vehicles as accurately as possible.

Tony has disclosed that the Jeep develops a transmission-fluid leak after sitting, with the source believed to possibly be around the transmission pan. We have not represented that diagnosis as definitive, and prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect it themselves.

The true accumulated mileage is unknown, and the Jeep is therefore being represented as TMU " True Mileage Unknown. No inference should be made from the current odometer display regarding the Jeep s actual lifetime mileage.

The Jeep is offered with a clean title.

Restoration/build photographs and extra keys are included, along with the boxed front sway-bar components.

Highlights

* 1976 Jeep CJ-7
* Approximately 15 years with the current owner
* AMC 401ci V8
* Speedway-built engine, according to the owner
* Mild cam
* Custom graphic valve covers
* 3-speed automatic transmission
* Quadra-Trac four-wheel drive
* Power steering
* Power brakes
* Custom tri-color paint
* Ford Competition Orange
* Lemon Twist Yellow
* Alpine White
* Mustang-style three-segment taillights
* Custom front and rear bumpers
* Auxiliary front lighting
* Recovery shackles
* Receiver hitch
* Dual exhaust
* Lifted stance
* Hercules Trail Digger M/T tires
* Tubular side steps
* Black soft top
* Updated interior
* YJ-style roll cage
* Custom woodgrain-style dashboard
* Equus auxiliary gauges
* Front sway-bar components included
* Build/restoration photographs included
* Extra keys
* Clean title
* TMU

Platt Motors Assessment

We don t think this Jeep should be judged against a concours-restored CJ-7, because that s never what it was intended to be.

This is an old-school custom Jeep built by an enthusiast to suit himself.

The AMC 401 keeps the powertrain firmly within the AMC family. The automatic and Quadra-Trac make for an interesting drivetrain combination. The custom paint makes it impossible to overlook, while details such as the Mustang taillights, graphic valve covers, custom dash, bumpers, wheels and interior show how thoroughly the personalization was carried through.

Most importantly, it comes from a long-term owner who knows the Jeep rather than someone who bought it six months ago and can only guess at what s underneath it.

After approximately 15 years, Tony is moving down from the mountains, downsizing and closing this chapter.

His Jeep is ready for the next one.

Available now through Platt Motors in Northern California.

Independent pre-purchase inspections are welcomed and encouraged. Nationwide transportation can be arranged.