A true pioneer in the world of SUVs, the Jeep Cherokee XJ showed the world just how great a 4x4 could be. With good looks, great off road capability and unprecedented levels of comfort and practicality, the Cherokee truly personifies the phrase “all rounder”.
Whilst gaining high praise from both the motoring press and general public, the Cherokee has garnered all new levels of appreciation in recent years, making good, unmodified examples extremely hard to come by, which is why the example we see here presents such an exciting opportunity for one looking to move themselves into a Cherokee.
An incredibly rare, UK only Orvis edition, V373 RBW must surely be one of the finest examples on the market today. In highly original condition, this second generation Cherokee boasts a facelifted front end, a well appointed leather interior, and a thunderous 4.0 litre straight six powerhouse.
Mixing capability and practicality with genuine luxury is precisely what the Cherokee is all about, and that is perhaps most evident when we examine the interior. With higher quality materials, improved comfort and far better amenities than the more rugged and agricultural offerings from the European and Japanese 4x4 markets, the Cherokee really was a league above the competition.
Plush and marvellously comfortable leather seating take centre stand in the cabin, all five of the seats are in excellent order, with strong bolstering and sumptuous black leather exhibiting very little, if anything in the way of wear, damage or blemishing. At the sides we find four great clean door panels, with smart, high quality leather upholstery embellished with black plastic door furniture. Being such a high spec example, all four doors hold electric window controls, which are reported to function fully and with ease.
At the front end of the cabin sits an outstanding angular dash panel, also rich in black leather upholstery. The centrepiece of the panel must unquestionably be the well specified central control panel. Embellished with excellent, high quality wood veneer, the panel is somewhat rammed with technology and entertainment systems, all of which are reported to be in good functioning order.
Praised for its excellent, revolutionary design, and often hailed as one of the best looking SUVs on the roads, the Jeep Cherokee has built itself quite a reputation, and for good reason. Quite possibly one of the finest boxy designs of all time, the XJ Cherokee’s iconic shape really does stand out from the crowd.
With deep purple paintwork flowing over the Jeep’s simple square body lines, this particular Cherokee scores high points in the aesthetics category. The paintwork itself is of a marvellous standard and has borne its miles incredibly well, still presenting with a wonderful shine. Naturally, there are general signs of patina to be seen dotted around the vehicle but nothing to compromise the Jeep’s excellent looks.
Being a post 1997 model, V373 RBW is a coveted second generation Cherokee, and as such boasts a subtle, but effective facelift and redesign. Whilst not compromising on the simplistic and square styling that made the original Cherokee so great, these second are unquestionably a great modernised improvement over their older counterparts.
From nearly all angles we are reminded that this is an Orvis edition Cherokee, courtesy of neat badging and most notably, a set of colour matched bonnet vents. At ground level is yet another indication of this being a higher specification example, the marvellous two tone, five spoke alloy wheels, all four of which present in good condition and really compliment the Jeep’s looks. The current owner also advises that two extra spare wheels will accompany the vehicle upon sale. nIaLuW4r8EO9frhIvUhJvwcZb84ZCRm5CBOK844L.jpeg204.72 KB
The Mechanics
Impeccable 4.0 litre straight 6 engine
Subject to extensive mechanical recomissioning
Recently rebuilt rear end
An industry leader, the AMC 4.0 litre straight six motor that found its way into the XJ Cherokees of this era really was unrivalled. Simple, powerful and near bulletproof in terms of reliability, the straight six is an absolute gem.
The engine in this particular Cherokee is a wonderful example and presents as such, presenting and performing more like an engine akin to 45 thousand miles as opposed to the 145 thousand it has actually covered. So much of this is down to the concise and regular maintenance performed on the Jeep as highlighted in its factory service book.
Under its current ownership, the Cherokee has been well treated from a mechanical perspective. Spending some time at an independent Jeep specialist, where the many of the mechanical underpinnings were rebuilt and revitalised, including a full rear differential rebuild, including a new clutch kit, pinion and carrier bearing kit, new shaft bearings and seals on the rear axle, new thermostat, new suspension ball joints, new fuel tank straps and new brake springs and pins.
As a result of the extensive mechanical work undertaken on the Jeep, it comes as no surprise to report that it now performs and drives excellently, and to an extent, feels like a new Jeep. With plenty of power on tap, good solid brakes and a smooth automatic transmission.
The XJ Cherokee is very much a jack of all trades when it comes to classic motoring. Excellent iconic styling, outstanding power train and unquestionably cool, the XJ has no problem when it comes to the key points of what makes a classic great, but at the same time, is perfectly at home being used as an everyday vehicle, courtesy of its well appointed lavish interior and sublime ride quality.
V373 RBW is something of a rarity when it comes to Cherokees. Unique enough in being a factory Orvis edition, this is a marvellous, highly original example, that having been subject to recent specialist mechanical recomissioning, wants for very little if anything, and as such is ready for many more years of enjoyment at the hands of a new owner.
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