Auction Action: 2006 Durangoneer on the block
I don't envision myself needing the power and capability of an SUV any time soon in my life, but the Durangoneer is one ute I would drive just for fun. It's a HEMI-powered 2004 Dodge Durango chassis that's been shortened and strengthened wearing the body of a 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer - early SUV looks with late model technology and capability. The Durangoneer was built as a project car for Popular Mechanics and was apparently at this year's SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but we must've walked right by it. It's understandable, though, since it takes a few seconds to realize you're not actually looking at an '88 Wagoneer. The Durangoneer is being auctioned off next month at RM Auction's annual "Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona" auction on January 19th. What's more, any cash this thing brings in over and above $35,000 will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Follow the jump for more pics and a press release that contains additional info on the Duragoneer.
[Source: RM Auctions]
PRESS RELEASE:
CUSTOMIZED SUV PROJECT HEADED FOR AUCTION
TO BENEFIT MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION®
RM Auctions to Offer Popular Mechanics Magazine's Customized
1988 Jeep "Durangoneer" Project at RM's Arizona Biltmore Auction to Benefit
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America
LOS ANGELES, California (December 13, 2006) Popular Mechanics Magazine's radically customized Jeep "Durangoneer" will cross the block at RM Auction's annual "Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona" auction at the prestigious Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday, January 19, 2007 with proceeds of the sale to benefit the Phoenix based Make-A-Wish Foundation®.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® is the largest wish granting charity in the world and fulfilling the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions. The foundation began in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona when a group of caring individuals helped a local boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer. Today, with the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the international Make-A-Wish Foundation® grants more than 12,500 wishes a year and has granted more than 141,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation® visit www.wish.org
The retro-styled "Durangoneer" was featured at the 2006 SEMA Show, the 2006 Pocono NASCAR race and in the May and June 2006 issues of Popular Mechanics magazine. This "dare to be different" SUV combines the body of a 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer with the shortened and strengthened chassis of a Hemi-powered Dodge Durango. It's a classic concept that remains contemporary today and will be offered at RM's annual classic car auction in Phoenix, Arizona – Friday January 19, 2007.
Celebrating nearly 30 years in the collector car industry, RM Auctions Inc. and its sister companies are responsible for acquiring, restoring and selling the world's rarest and most expensive vintage automobiles. In 2006, RM Restorations achieved an unprecedented Triple Crown, when its restorations earned "Best of Show" honors at the world's top three collector car events. For additional information on RM Auctions and this event, call: (800) 211-4371 or visit: www.rmauctions.com
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wagoneer 7:20PM (10/25/2009)
i was wondering if anyone knew who built this?
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Alex Nunez 6:16PM (12/18/2006)
You cannot stop the awesome.
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Typesbad 7:54PM (12/18/2006)
I should be impressed by the engineering but look at the thin pillars on those Grand Wagoneers! That is the way to see the great outdoors! I sure wish modern vehicles could have that open a green house. I suppose side impact standards make that impractical.
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Austin M 9:10PM (12/18/2006)
Farging awesome!
What about those roof-crush strength numbers again?
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Bill Prince 9:39PM (12/18/2006)
Where's the wood paneling, real or otherwise?
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brandonj 10:34PM (12/18/2006)
I've dreamt about doing this with a Denali and a '72 Suburban, but everybody I tell thinks I've lost it. I would roll this with a big smile on my face.
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rodrigo 10:12PM (12/18/2006)
1988?? .. looks like a vehicle from 1978...
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fasttie 10:22PM (12/18/2006)
Sweet ride - I agree though there is no way that is a 1988...
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Matt 11:04PM (12/18/2006)
i want.
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V 12:16AM (12/19/2006)
Yeah, not an 88... unless he swapped the grille, among other things.
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Andy 12:23AM (12/19/2006)
I'll pass.
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Richard Warren 11:36AM (12/19/2006)
Slick.
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Ken 8:28AM (12/19/2006)
I never thought growing up in the 70's and early 80's that the cars/trucks from that era would become classic. I love the 70's land yacht's from Ford and GM. I love the boxy look of that Wagoneer body. Although the hinges on those Wagoneers used to rust right on the dealer lot when still brand new. I wish I could put an old vintage '69 to '78 Country Squire on a current Town Car platform with ABS and crush zones etc.
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Guenther 1:00PM (12/19/2006)
I would have to do the research, but it looks like an 80s grill to me, having rectangular headlights and all.
#7- you have not lost it- I've been thinking of a project like this using a GMT400(96ish K2500 Td) chassis and a 72 'Burb.
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HotRod 11:54AM (12/19/2006)
They did make the Wagoneers until 1990 and the Grand Wagoneer until 1991. But yes the body was designed in the early 70's as the original Cherokee, it was just built that long because there were some die-hards that kept buying them.
The same thing happened with the old box Cherokee, Jeep brought out the Liberty to replace it but people kept buying the old Cherokee so they kept making them until 2001.
I helped drive a 1980ish Cherokee Chief from AL to MD in 1990. A friend bought the tank and it was a blast to go on a road trip in it.
If you really want a modern one of these they are almost GIVING them away down at your Jeep dealer. Yes, the Commander is the modern version of the old Wagoneer. Trust me, I bought one in July and you geet the same feel driving the Commander as the Wagoneer although the view out the back hardly as good.
You can get one with the 4WD and 4.7 V8 for a 31-32K sticker. BUT you can get it out the door for about 26K. Go rent one at Budget and check it out, if you like big vehicles it will really grow on you.
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iamhoff 12:44PM (12/19/2006)
I so freaking want!!!! My first car was a 1978 Cherokee S, 2 door, that my father bought new in 1978. 9 years later when I got my drivers license, it became mine. Quadra Trac (the original full-time version), 360 V8 and A-727 3 speed auto. 8 mpg downhill with a tailwind, if I was lucky, but such a fun, huge beast. The Grand Wag had the wood on it, and the bumpers had rub strips on them, but to do something that slick I can understand shaving/stripping the body down. And the taillights are correct, as the ones on the Cherokee body in the 70s and early 80s were recessed, not flush like on the 80s GW. About the only thing missing is a shot of the interior. I'd love to see how clean that is, remembering just how "interesting" the original layout was (radio dead center in the dash, above the center-mounted glovebox with the diff-lock switch mounted inside. Beautiful looking ride. *raises hand* I want!
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Delicron 3:55PM (12/19/2006)
That is definitely an 88 grill, as I had a Black 89 Grand Wagoneer (WITH the wood paneling) and it had the identical grill. Indeed, this was in Canada, so that might have been different... but as far as I can see it has the correct rear tail lights and correct front grill. Coincidentally, I also had a tan 83 Grand Wagoneer Limited, and it had a different grill (in my opinion nicer), as well as different tail lights (in my opinion, far gaudier).
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Erik 4:28PM (12/19/2006)
I own an '88 Grand Wagoneer and see nothing to indicate this is not an '88. It's stripped of bumper nerf, fog lamps, and of course the "wood", and the grill is a custom job, but it's an '88. 5.7L? Big deal, it came new with a 5.9. Very, very cool nonetheless.
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Bill 1:54PM (1/05/2007)
Great looking ride. I still own an 88 GW that i bought new. It has over 300k and still looks pretty good. Just a comment. That is not the grill that is on my 88 and the 88 has a hood ornament.
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Wayne 1:35PM (1/03/2007)
I read the build-up on this in Popular Mechanics and was very interested since I own an 89 Grand Wagoneer (my 3rd Waggoneer). This project started out with the vinyl woodgrain siding. They originally wanted the "Rhino" grille from the 60s, which is the small one that only covers the radiator opening and leaves the rest of the front end exposed painted metal. Those are quite difficult to find and in great demand by those of us who love these Jeeps. So, they bought what was available. A couple companies still reproduce the 80s grilles.
This is a great project for a mostly street-driven vehicle. It should corner great (for a truck) and be pretty quick since it is lighter than the Durango. Off the road, my 89 with a 360ci V-8, Chrysler 727 transmission, New Process 229 transfer case, and lifted solid-axle leaf-spring suspension would beat that thing any day. Still, if I wanted to spend the money, Durangoneer would be mine.
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