1973 Jeep Commando C104 4×4 Wagon – Sold?

March 22, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this Jeep Commando “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

While the IHC Scout and Ford Bronco usually get the lion’s share of credit as early two-door SUVs, Jeep’s Commando was right there competing with them.  This 1973 green Utility Wagon example currently originally listed in February 2021 on Craiglist in Orlando, Florida with an automatic transmission and factory air conditioning is reported to have only 37K original miles after being taken out of thirty-year storage.  While Hagerty Insurance oddly still does not list prices for these SUVs, a check of the Collector Car Market Review confirms this private seller has their Commando priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $7,900 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $11,400.

Kaiser revived one of their most storied brand names when the company launched its new Jeepster Commando C101 as a 1967 model designed to compete with Ford’s Bronco and International Harvester’s Scout.  While a stylish design, Kaiser saddled these original versions with very dated F-head Hurricane inline-four and Dauntless V6 power.  Kaiser sold nearly sixty thousand Kaiser-spec “C101” Jeepster between 1966 and 1971.  Shortly after American Motors purchased Jeep, the company revised the Commando as the “C104” version for 1972. In addition to retiring the “Jeepster” name, the revised SUV received a “conventional” full-width grille (i.e. not the typical seven-slot Jeep version). The Commando now replied on more modern AMC engines: buyers had a choice of the 232 cubic inch or 258 cubic inch AMC Straight-sixes or the 304 cubic inch V8 the example featured here has under the hood. A total of 20,223 AMC-spec “C104” Jeep Commandos were made in 1972 and 1973 before the company replaced it with its very successful Cherokee line.

Here’s an AMC Dealer film introducing the 1973 Commando:

While thirty years of storage can help keep a vehicle’s mileage low, hopefully, the seller can provide other documentation to back up the claim of only 37K original miles.  Otherwise, this appears to be a nice example of a well-optioned Commando that will be just as capable in preservation class car show judging as it will be on the trails should you decide to have some real fun with it.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1973 Jeep Commando, new paint, new tires, née break lines. Jeep was in storage for 30 years. It has 37,000 actual miles. Factory A/C ( needs belt ). Factory floor mats are as they were when new. Car runs and drives and stops as it should. Jeep is 4×4.“

Show or go: what would you do with this Commando?  Comment below and let us know!