We have all seen the iconic Willys Jeep, noted as “one of the three decisive weapons the U.S. had during World War II” by President Eisenhower. The popularity of the Willys led to it becoming the world's first mass-produced four-wheel drive vehicle, with over 1.5 million units being made. The Jeep Wrangler was launched in 1986 and retained many of the Willys' characteristics, such as the Body-on-frame design and solid axles and was known as the Wrangler YJ.
With continued success in 1996, a refresh was given to the design with the launch of the Wrangler TJ. Some significant improvements were made, such as coil spring suspension, a longer wheelbase, a switch back to round headlights and interior enhancements.
This lovely 1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ Sport has covered just 65,000 miles and looks in great condition with its Jade Satin Metallic paintwork the overall condition of the Jeep Wrangler TJ doesn’t suggest it has seen a great deal of off-road action.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Registered 4th March 1997
MOT valid until 27th February 2024
V5C is present
Some previous MOT certificates included
THE INTERIOR
Grey material trim
The seats are in excellent condition with no real signs of any wear to the front or rear
Door cards are free from any noticeable scuffs or scratches
The seats are in excellent condition for the mileage covered. There are some signs of age, but nothing excessive
The grey/black dashboard looks in good condition with no damage
The instrument cluster has a few light scratches to the window
There are no warning lights displayed when the Jeep is running, and the odometer has a reading of approximately 65,000 miles
The switches and dials appear in good condition and are reported to be working correctly
An aftermarket Ripspeed flip-out head unit has been installed
There is a steering wheel cover attached which does have some signs of wear, and also, the steering wheel itself is reported to have a small amount of wear
Driver and passenger airbags
The floor area has some light wear, and there is a set of mats fitted
Inside the boot area is clean and tidy, with just a few small marks on the inside of the rear door
Comes with centre caps for the wheel arches
THE EXTERIOR
Finished in Bright Jade Satin Metallic
The paintwork is in very good condition. There are a few small age-related chips and scratches but nothing excessive
The headlights and indicators are free from any splits or cracks
There are a few minimal scratches on the bumper
Jeep bonnet bra fitted to prevent unwanted stone chips
The windscreen looks in good order with no noticeable scratches
Looking around the Jeep, there are no dings or dents to mention
The panel gaps all match
Plastic wheel arch extensions are in good order with no scuffs to them
The removable roof looks in good condition and fits very well
Plastic windows within the roof are free from excessive scratches or discolouration
Rear lights have no splits or cracks
Towbar fitted
The original wheels are generally very good, but there are some signs of white worm under the lacquer, and the centre caps are missing. The spare wheels is also in the same condition and mounted to the rear door
The tyres are matching General Grabber AT2 and have a good amount of tread remaining
THE MECHANICS
4.0 litre straight six
5-speed manual gearbox
Switchable 4WD
Hi-lo range
Uprated Lip shock absorbers
The Jeep starts up without hesitation, and the vendor reports there are no issues with the running of the vehicle
The gear change is smooth, and all gears can be easily selected in each mode
Bringing the Jeep to a stop, the brakes are working as they should, with no issues reported
There are no knocks or bangs coming from the suspension, and the ride is smooth
Looking at the underside of the Jeep, there are minimal signs of any corrosion, and everything appears to be clean and dry
SUMMARY
This is a fantastic opportunity to own a 4.0 litre straight-six, American off-road icon. The condition is excellent and looks to be very original. The Wrangler TJ is also the Sport edition, so not the average base model.
Waiting for you, ready to be enjoyed and tackle anything you throw at it on or of-off road
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
