predecessor. The basic technology and
placement of main components is exactly
as it was 77 years ago: ladder frame,
four-cylinder, driven front and rear axles,
transfer case, no side mirrors. Even the
battery is in the same location. Trape-
zoidal wheel arches derive from the origi-
nal’s simple mud guard, and the floor still
has drain holes. The Wrangler retains the
original wheel position; the leading edge of
the front tire is forward of the grille, which
sets the stance for the whole vehicle. Such
deference to the original makes Allen
proud, as modern-era Jeeps stash so many
more items under the hood, making the
integration of design and engineering that
much more of a challenge.
Allen loves the CJ-5, as when the square
hood began to taper, the fenders gained
more shape. But it was the YJ that saved
the franchise in 1986. It introduced a new
look, sitting lower and wider, with squareMT 70TH ANNIVERSARY
headlights and a new name: Wrangler.
What started as a utility vehicle or
work truck has fully evolved into a
lifestyle vehicle. Owners quickly discov-
ered the joy of off-roading, holding their
first jamborees on the Rubicon Trail in
the ’50s. Jeep became a fun vehicle that
people were proud to own. That spirit
continues today and has ensnared a loyal
customer base for a vehicle in continuous
production for more than seven decades.
The Wrangler is more coveted today
than it has ever been. It’s the perfect
marriage of past and future. Creature
comforts have been added, and it has
more power, more safety, and better effi-
ciency. But owners can also crawl all over
their Jeep and find a bevy of elements
that lead directly back to the Wrangler’s
forefathers, driven into battle by young
men who stopped to have a cigarette,
sitting atop the fuel tank. nFor civilians, Willys
added a tailgate,
a side-mounted
spare tire, and an
optional canvas top.