1980 | Jeep Cherokee Laredo

• The most luxurious Laredo variant

• Stunning Classic Black paint with silver Laredo Striping

• 5.9 Litre "360" V8 with automatic transmission

• Power windows, power seats, power steering and cruise control

• Recipient of significant recent expenditure

• Retains its stunning original Western Weave cloth interior

• Driven well over a thousand miles by ourselves

• Incredibly rare and desirable

• One of the very best examples on sale anywhere

• Excellent alternative to the Range Rover Classic

• The thinking man's Bronco/Blazer

• First car to be designated as an SUV!

Jeep advertisements of the 1970s proudly proclaimed "Jeep: We wrote the book on four wheel drive." It was very hard indeed to dispute that claim. During the Second World War and the need for easy to build, easy to maintain, versatile and agile off-roaders, the iconic Willys Jeep quickly proved itself to be a formidable ally in the theatre of war, not just in Europe but in Asia and Africa too.

In the postwar years, civilian versions of the Jeep were launched, namely the Willys Jeepsters and other models which would eventually come to form the iconic CJ-Series and the Wrangler nameplate that remains a beloved off-road icon to this day. In 1962, Jeep saw a gap in the market for a car with all the civilised road manners and convenience of an estate car or station wagon but with the added off-road versatility of its offroaders. And so, in 1963, Jeep launched the SJ platform, starting with the legendary Wagoneer. Rather than a devoted off-road vehicle such as the Dodge Power Wagons and Internationals of years gone by, the Wagoneer was very much a road car with a similar driving experience to the station wagons that were becoming more and more popular thoughout the USA. Jeep in fact had launched a new type of car: the SUV, a car with off-road capabilities and all the creature comforts you could wish for in a car.

For years, the Wagoneer had no direct competitors, Land Rover for example didn't launch their Range Rover until 1971. The Range Rover was sold exclusively as a two-door until 1981 and wouldn't sell the Range Rover in the USA until as late as 1987. No other off-roader had such civilised driving dynamics nor the comfort of the Wagoneer and so naturally, the product line was expanded. A pickup truck version was launched at the same time as the Wagoneer, the Gladiator or J-Series. Finally, in 1974, Jeep launched yet another iconic nameplate that remains a big seller today: the Jeep Cherokee. Launched initially as a 2-Door, the Cherokee quickly saw a wide-range of sub-models. There was the standard two-door, a standard four-door and most desirable of all, the Wide-Trac two-door Cherokee. These Wide-Trac cars boasted large flared arches, a wider track and wider wheels and are arguably the best looking of all SJ series Jeeps.

As well as different bodystyles, there were different trim levels, often differentiated with supremely stylish graphic packages. Some of the more famous ones include the Cherokee Chief, the Cherokee S, the Golden Eagle, the Golden Hawk, some cars with Levi's denim interiors but plushest of all was the Laredo. Packed with options including power steering, power windows and power seats, the Laredo's were certainly the classiest of the bunch. Single colour paintwork was complemented by beautiful pinstriping in either silver or gold, depending on your choice of exterior colour. 

Now available for viewing at the DD Classics Dealership in London, please call to book an appointment.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information but errors may occur. Please check with a salesperson.