Man’s Search for an Original CJ-8 Is an Adventure in Itself

By Detroit Steel - October 13, 2015

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Here’s a cool find that most Jeep fans can appreciate: a CJ-8 Scrambler.

The Jeep, owned by Kansas native Roger Gaunt, is one of only 27,000 that were produced by American Motors Corporation from 1981 to 1986.

Okay, so maybe that’s not like having one of only 918 vehicles made, like the Porsche Spyder, but the CJ-8 is still a pretty coveted find among Jeep collectors. In fact, it took Gaunt two years to find his 1982 Scrambler, a black standard model.

“I looked for a long time,” Gaunt told the Kansas City Star. “I like original vehicles. Most people have modified them and put in V-8 engines, lowered them or raised them.”

Gaunt’s search took him to a dealership in northern Iowa. He found a CJ-8 there, and called up to put it on hold. But when he went to the dealership to pick it up, the Jeep was gone.

Gaunt eventually managed to track down another CJ-8 in Wichita, and he scooped it up. He’s made a few modifications since, including adding side rails and half doors, but his biggest mod is still in the works.

“The top won’t come off,” Gaunt said. “I have to have the convertible. I like the fresh air. That is my next project.”