Old TJ Wrangler Causes Dealer Bidding War

Well-Optioned Wrangler

A 1997 Jeep Wrangler Sahara with a manual transmission and four-wheel-drive will stimulate the curiosity of any proper Jeep enthusiast. And this particular example, with just 49,000 miles on the odometer, shows some real potential on paper. What a superficial inspection doesn't reveal though, is the results of 24 years of brutal Massachusetts weather. 

Photos: Motor1

Massachusetts Rust

Although it appears to be in acceptable shape for a late-'90s Jeep with some mileage on it, a look at the undercarriage will reveal an alarming amount of rust. Regardless, several dealers were hell-bent on bringing the TJ home. By the time the hammer dropped, the Wrangler had been bit up to $9,400.

>>Join the conversation about this sought-after TJ right here in JK-Form.com.

Premium

A sub-$10,000 price tag may not be all that bad for a desirable classic Jeep. But realistically, what the consumer will end up having to pay after the dealer profits, markups, and taxes have been added will be significantly higher. The eventual buyer would be paying a premium for a vehicle with a prominent presence of rust underneath!

>>Join the conversation about this sought-after TJ right here in JK-Form.com.

Crazy Bidders? Or Rising Value?

And that's what caught Motor1's Steven Lang, who participated in the auction, by surprise. He chose to sit this one out, considering the circumstances. But a couple of dealers fought to the bitter end for it. It could have been a matter of a couple of big egos coming together. Or perhaps it's an indication that values of rare short-wheelbase '90s Jeeps are rapidly rising.

>>Join the conversation about this sought-after TJ right here in JK-Form.com.

Comes With the Territory

Lang also notes that the location of the auction may have had something to do with the unexpectedly high sale price for the Jeep. This was a New England auction. And folks out there are not unfamiliar with rust on vehicles at all. And more often than not, they come to terms with it, as oppose to staying away from it. 

>>Join the conversation about this sought-after TJ right here in JK-Form.com.

Classic Machines

Regardless of the circumstances, it's going to be a matter of time before more and more people realize what these old Jeeps have to offer. As fancy and capable as every new iteration of the Wrangler has become, nothing beats the simplicity of these timeless machines.

>>Join the conversation about this sought-after TJ right here in JK-Form.com.

To see a list of all the mods done to this CJ and the rest of the awesome pics of it, click here.