1976 Jeep CJ-7 Custom – AMC 401 V8 – Automatic – Quadra-Trac – Custom Tri-Color Paint
Now available at Platt Motors.
This 1976 Jeep CJ-7 is a highly personalized, long-term-owner build powered by an AMC 401 V8 and finished in a striking custom tri-color paint scheme.
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 custom project. Tony knows the Jeep inside and out and has provided us with considerable information about its history and modifications.
He’s now moving from the mountains into town, downsizing, and simply doesn’t drive the Jeep enough anymore. After roughly 15 years in his care, he’s ready to pass it along to its next owner.
AMC 401 V8
Under the hood is an AMC 401ci V8. The engine is not represented as original to the Jeep. According to Tony, it is a Speedway-built engine featuring a mild cam.
The 401 is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission and Jeep’s Quadra-Trac four-wheel-drive system. The CJ is also equipped with power steering and power brakes.
The engine compartment carries the custom theme with red ignition components and distinctive custom graphic valve covers featuring an old-school hot-rod, pin-up and gasoline-themed collage beneath a glossy finish.
Custom Tri-Color Paint
The body is finished in an eye-catching combination of Ford Competition Orange, Lemon Twist Yellow and Alpine White.
The Competition Orange can appear almost red in photographs and changing light, but it is an orange Mustang color. Fine accent striping separates the colors and adds to the old-school custom appearance.
This isn’t a stock restoration, and it was never intended to be. It’s a vintage CJ customized to suit its longtime owner’s tastes, with modifications carried throughout the vehicle rather than limited to a set of wheels and a paint job.
One of the most unusual exterior modifications is the installation of Mustang-style three-segment taillights. They integrate surprisingly well into the CJ’s squared-off rear bodywork and give the Jeep an unmistakable appearance from behind.
Custom heavy-duty front and rear bumpers add to the look. The rear incorporates recovery shackles and a receiver hitch, while the front includes auxiliary lighting and recovery hardware.
The Jeep also features black fender flares, polished tubular side steps, dual exhaust and a black soft top.
Lifted Stance
The CJ rides with a lifted stance on polished wheels wrapped in aggressive Hercules Trail Digger M/T tires.
The front sway-bar components are currently removed and are included with the Jeep in a box, allowing the next owner to reinstall them if desired.
Custom Interior
The customization continues inside.
Tony reports that the Jeep received an updated interior including seats, carpeting and instrumentation, along with a YJ-style roll cage.
The dashboard is finished in a distinctive dark woodgrain-style treatment. The large central Jeep combination gauge is supplemented by Equus oil-pressure and volt gauges.
There is some cosmetic flaking visible on an interior door-panel surface, which is shown in the photographs.
Long-Term Ownership
Tony has owned this CJ for approximately 15 years and knows the vehicle and its modifications exceptionally well. That’s particularly valuable with a customized vintage Jeep, where the history of a build can sometimes disappear as a vehicle changes hands.
He bought it as a toy, spent considerable time and money making it his own, and kept it for well over a decade. His reason for selling is straightforward: he’s now in his 70s, is moving from the mountains into town and is downsizing.
The Jeep simply isn’t being driven enough to justify keeping it.
Known Items & Disclosure
The owner has disclosed a transmission-fluid leak that develops after the Jeep sits. He believes it may possibly originate around the transmission pan, although the exact source has not been confirmed. Prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect and evaluate it themselves.
The Jeep is being sold as TMU – True Mileage Unknown. The odometer reading should not be interpreted as the vehicle’s actual accumulated mileage.
The Jeep is offered with a clean title.
Restoration/build photographs and extra keys are included with the sale, along with the boxed front sway-bar components.
Highlights:
1976 Jeep CJ-7
AMC 401ci V8
Speedway-built engine per owner
Mild cam
Custom graphic valve covers
3-speed automatic transmission
Quadra-Trac four-wheel drive
Power steering
Power brakes
Ford Competition Orange / Lemon Twist Yellow / Alpine White custom paint
Mustang-style three-segment taillights
Custom front and rear bumpers
Auxiliary 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
Approximately 15 years of current ownership
Clean title
True Mileage Unknown
This CJ-7 isn’t being presented as a factory-original restoration. It’s an old-school custom Jeep built and enjoyed by a longtime enthusiast. The AMC 401 keeps the heart of the build in the AMC family, while the custom paint, Mustang taillights, graphic valve covers, interior and other details give it a personality all its own.
After approximately 15 years, Tony is moving down from the mountains and closing this chapter.
His CJ-7 is ready for its next one.
Available through Platt Motors. Independent pre-purchase inspections are welcomed and encouraged. Nationwide transportation can be arranged.
