The '63 Wagoneer was hot. Anyone own one? Anyone still have one?
From the ad:
The first Jeep Wagoneer was brought out in 1962, as a 1963 model. Jeep advertised it as having the biggest cargo area and largest tailgate opening of any wagon in its wheelbase class; it could handle seven foot long ladders, lying flat. It also has the lowest tailgate of any four wheel drive wagon for easy loading.
White the old Jeep Utility had started with a base four cylinder, Wagoneer launched with a single "Tornado" six cylinder engine, complete with still-new tech 35-amp alternators. Oil changes were advertised only at 6,000 mile intervals, with major lubrications spaced at 30,000 miles, a substantial savings over many vehicles of the time.
Both rear wheel drive and four wheel drive models were sold; they were marketed not as trucks or utility vehicles, but as station wagons (well into the 1970s) with room for six, or 1,200 pounds of cargo. Narrow windshield pillars aided forward and side vision, as did high seats. All but the rear quarter windows rolled down, including the tailgate window - for which an electric window was also available. The doors opened wide, a full 82 degrees, for easier access; and the openings were straight, without doglegs. Finally, all the 4x4 controls were consolidated into a single lever, with a clear set of indicator lights to tell drivers where they were.
The Tornado overhead-cam six was standard on Wagoneers; the only overhead cam engine made in America, it had domed pistons and closed crankcase ventilation. Power from the 3.8 liter (230.5 cid) engine was 140 hp at 4,000 rpm and a 210 lb-ft of torque at 1,750 rpm, similar to the 225 cubic inch slant sixes.
Both a manual transmission and an automatic were available; the manual was a three-speed, with overdrive optional on rear-drive models. One unique feature for a family-appropriate wagon was a Power Take-Off unit -- the snow plow and pushplate options may have been unique as well.
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