1978 Jeep CJ-7 Golden Eagle

Description

Extremely rare top spec Golden Eagle with 5.0 V8 power; believed to be the only example in the UK; expertly restored in 2016 and only 3,500 miles since; superb condition; fabulous exhaust note; driven 20 miles to the sale; get yourself noticed!

Now when did you last see one of these on the road? Unless you live on the English/Welsh borders then the chances are you have never seen one because this is quite possibly the only genuine Golden Eagle in the UK and almost certainly the only one in such amazingly good condition.

A direct descendant of the iconic World War Two Willys Jeep, the CJ was a more refined 4x4 aimed at the civilian market and was in production from 1946 – 1986, going through five generations of development, the last and best being the CJ-7 which ran from 1976 – 1986. The CJ Series was then phased out in favour of the Wrangler, a softer and less rugged machine – a bit like a Discovery compared to a Series Land Rover.

American Motors Corporation (AMC) owned the Jeep brand from 1970 – 1986 and in 1977 they brought out a Limited Edition CJ-7 Golden Eagle which was only produced in small numbers from 1977 – 1980. As a nod to the iconic Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am, the equally special Golden Eagle sported a bird motif on the bonnet complemented by a range of special features including body stripes, wheelarch extensions and optional 15” gold wheels with bigger tyres. Another desirable option was a custom interior by Levi’s Jeans with button seats and matching weather equipment.

The Golden Eagle’s real party trick was under the bonnet which housed a mighty 304ci V8 (5-litres) mated to an optional 3-speed automatic gearbox with high/low transfer case and Quadra-Trac 4-wheel drive. Power steering and power disc brakes were standard, as was a fabulous dashboard stacked with every dial a driver could ever need.

Just as the Trans-Am was immortalised by Burt Reynolds in Smokey and The Bandit, so the CJ-7 Golden Eagle is forever associated with Catherine Bach's Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard.

Dating from 1978, this fabulous Golden Eagle was imported to the UK 10 years ago and first registered here in January 2016. The first UK owner was a Jeep fanatic who kept it for six years during which time it had a private plate, GT 500, which is still on the tailgate today.

During the first year of his ownership he treated it to a full professional restoration to return it to showroom condition while retaining as much originality as possible. Although there are no invoices to show exactly what was done, it was clearly an extremely thorough job and the Jeep still looks magnificent almost 10 years later. The paint finish is exemplary and probably better than when it left the factory.

Judging by the MOT history online, the odometer was re-set to zero when the restoration was completed and it has covered just under 3,500 miles since. It then briefly had one further owner before our vendor acquired it in February 2023.

During his ownership the Jeep has been lightly used in fine weather only, and we are told that it has been carefully maintained by American classic experts, LM Revamp of Clun, Shropshire, with the following new parts recently fitted:

New UJs to front transfer box and any other UJs showing wear have been replaced
New oil vapour pipe from carb
New steering wheel
New oil and filter
New thermostat housing
Stainless crossover pipe custom made to balance the exhausts and reduce decibels
High low ratio linkage investigated and adjusted
New water pump
New shock absorbers
New full set of sculpted interior carpets sourced from USA

The vendor is a member of various Jeep CJ forums/fan clubs and describes the vehicle as follows:

“This is a genuine Golden Eagle, not a tribute or a replica, and has the desirable Levi tan fabric upholstery. Most have had this upholstery replaced as it was simply not very durable, making good examples hard to find. With the exception of a repair on the passenger seat bolster, the Levi upholstery is in excellent condition on the seats, the dashboard pad and the sun visors.

The dashboard benefits from having the adjustable steering column sitting between the clock and tachometer.

Unlike many similar vehicles, the wheels have not been replaced and are the correct steel wheels finished in gold.

A Bestop canvas bikini top is currently fitted and this in complemented by canvas lower doors. Canvas door uppers are supplied with the vehicle. The Jeep has all of the required fittings to accept a Bestop full canvas top and this will also be supplied with the vehicle.

When idling smoothly at 700rpm the engine holds a rock steady manifold vacuum of 21 inches of mercury which shows minimal wear as this is exactly what you may expect from a low mileage engine.

The engine is the factory correct 304 cubic inch V8 driving through a 3-speed automatic gearbox and Quadra-Trac 4-wheel drive system. The steering and brakes are power assisted, the brakes being both light and powerful.

When I acquired the Jeep it was a bit too loud and anti-social so I have had a custom stainless steel crossover pipe made and it is now much more civilised.

One comment from the USA CJ Owner’s Group was that it was a long time since he had seen an original Golden Eagle that had not been lifted and modified – the ride height, wheels and Levi’s upholstery being factory correct for 1978 which is rare even in the USA.

The Jeep has covered fewer than 4,000 miles since it was restored in 2016/17 and has never seen salt, rain or been used off road and this is reflected in the condition of the bodywork and paint finish. In my ownership it has been used sparingly to attend summer classic car and Americana meetings where it always attracts admiring comments.

As far as I have been able to establish, this is the only genuine Golden Eagle CJ-7 in the UK and I believe that it is probably the best example this side of the Atlantic. It is only reluctantly for sale because I need to free up space for my pre-war car passion and no longer have anywhere to store it.”

As you can see in the photos and the video, this Jeep is indeed in wonderful condition, both above and below. Driven 20 miles to the sale, it has been starting instantly and driving very nicely indeed as we have moved it around on site, with good 60psi oil pressure and a lovely burbling exhaust note.

Documentation includes a V5C recording two former keepers and Historic Vehicle status which makes it free-to-tax and MOT-exempt. There are also fitting instructions for the canvas Bestop Supertop, a Haynes workshop manual and an original 1978 Jeep CJ-7 owner’s manual.

Okay, you might not look quite as hot as Daisy Duke when you are out driving this beast, but it sure as hell will get you noticed!  

Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com