For Sale: 1978 Jeep CJ5 in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1978 Jeep CJ5

"Here is the original 4 whel drive performers that work and play super touch, and keep coming back for more! Backed by over thirty five years of experienced Jeep ruggedness and reliability, it's easy to see why Jeep CJ has become the standard by which other sports/utility vehicles are measured. For sheer guts, pure driving fun and exceptional offroad performance, whatever your needs, CJ is in a class by itself!" From the 1978 Jeep brochure.

For consignment, a 1978 Jeep CJ5 showing 45,685 miles, but the true miles are unknown. In 1978, 37,611 CJ5's were produced, a big number for Jeep, but relatively small when compared to general use commuter cars.

Exterior
A nice mix of black and green adorn this CJ with single stage green metallic paint coupled with black canvas doors and cover along with Golden Eagle in black and 16-inch glossy black wheels at each corner. Let's say you're taking your motorhome to the mountains to do some wheeling. Well, this CJ is equipped with a front tow bar so you can bring it along and LT tires that can handle the trails. Remove the top and you'll still have a dark window frame and roll bar to contrast with the green paint and a spare tire mounted on the back cloaked in a black nylon case above a hitch ball. Modest black fender flares keep this Jeep narrow and therefore more agile through tighter spaces. Imperfections include some rust near the front fender, touched up scratches on the fenders, hood, and body, rust on the rear panel, and bubbling on low parts of the body.

Interior
Canvas doors have the typical uncoated white side facing the cabin with plastic windows high and low. Tan vinyl buckets are up front with some patina on the driver's in the form of looseness and tears, while the passenger's remains intact. The AMC logo accompanies the Jeep name on the center of the steering wheel and a tan dash panel tops the body colored dashboard that houses a myriad of very clean gauges and knobs within a black faceplate.Jute-like carpet covers the floor and makes way for the shifter and transfer case selector while a padded black roll bar is perched behind the seats. The back area wears the carpet and a rubber mat on the flat floor between the inner wells.

Drivetrain
Undo the latches, lift the hood, and reveal a relatively clean 304ci V8, rated at 150 horsepower and fueled via 2-barrel carburetor. It's backed by a 3-speed manual transmission and power has the capability of being routed to both the AMC 20 axle in back and the Dana 30 in front.

Undercarriage
Other than some road spray, oil on the pan, and some minimal surface rust, the underside presents cleanly. The single exhaust maintains a catalytic converter but no muffler, and exits out back via squarish chrome tip. Disc brakes are up front with drums in the rear and leaf springs make up the suspension front and rear.

Drive-Ability
Fully enclosed and carpeted on the floor, some of the wilderness is tamed in this 4x4, but it doesn't' lose its edge and the thing that makes Jeeps so loved. The 304 delivers good power as we lap around the test loop and the transmission shifts with ease. Steering is quick and visibility is good through large plastic windows and unlimited with the top off. All functions available work as they should and we take this trail loving grocery getting back to the mall. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

We were once told by a car loving friend that everyone should have a CJ in the stable. The fun factor is off the charts and on a day with good weather, this is the one to take. Here's a good looking example with a legendary name on the hood, stand out color, and nice wheels. Beach, woods, or Main Street USA, this one will be right at home.

J8F83EH071769

J-Jeep
8-1978
F-3 Speed Manual
83-CJ5
E-3,750 GVWR
H-304ci 2bbl V8
071769-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.

With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!