Forgotten Cars.

Went searching for an 1980s Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

By Amy Jo Espetveidt

October 29^th, 2014

When I was 16, my dad bought me a 1981 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Limited. It ran like a POS, blew black fumes in the air, left me stranded more times than I can count and lost an entire wheel once. It had rust holes you could put your fist through but all the windows worked including the sun roof. It had a cow catcher bumper that was attached to a solid metal plate that ran the whole length of the body that liked to take out fences and traffic control boxes with zero detriment to the beast. It had two gas tanks, each costing over $100 to fill it back when gas was 70 odd cents a litre, and it needed to be filled once a week. It had an eight track and an ashtray at every seat. The door didn’t always lock and you didn’t need a key to start it yet it never got stolen. It was shit brown and had the most awesome wood grain paneling. I drove it to my high school grad.

It was the Heep. And I loved it.

So, when it died – the “computer” went said my dad – I cried.

Then I got a newer one. An 1985 this time. And it was blue. It was awesome too – a little safer, a little more reliable, a little nicer – but it too died too soon thanks to a hot day, a logging truck, a cracked radiator and a mountain pass. It never made it home from Creston, BC.

Fast forward to the present. Now. All grown up. I need a new set of wheels. Do I want a shiny F150 fresh off the lot? Or a new Malibu to replace the current, aging Boo? No and no. How about a Jeep Wrangler? Hell no. Those things are plastic.

My husband is a car guy. He says lets get you a new Heep. Lets restore it together. Lets make it drivable.

So. The search is on. We’ve struck out thus far but let me tell you something. If you’re looking for a project vehicle, head down to Idaho’s panhandle. They’ve got an amazing selection of wheels with little to no rust. And for a project… that’s golden.