Launched in the mid-1960s, it effectively invented the luxury 4×4 segment, proving that rugged off-road capability and sumptuous comfort didn’t have to be mutually exclusive. Yet, as majestic as original Wagoneers look cruising down coastal highways, their agricultural carburetted engines, wallowy leaf springs, and rust-prone steel often turn ownership into an exercise in patience.
Enter the automotive artisans at Texas-based Vigilante 4×4, who have completely re-imagined this American icon with the Vigilante 4×4 Jeep Super Wagoneer.
Vigilante has executed a hyper-modern ground-up reimagining, combining an indestructible rust-proof chassis, blisteringly fast HEMI V8 muscle, and handcrafted interior appointments that would make a bespoke coachbuilder blush.
Underneath that iconic retro profile beats the ferocious heart of a modern performance beast: a 6.4-litre SRT-8 392 HEMI crate engine pushing out 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. Kinda like the one in my Challenger, which did not cost 500k, before taxes and registration.
Purists seeking a visceral, connected drive can row their own gears via a heavy-duty Tremec TR4050 five-speed manual transmission, while those after effortless touring can opt for a lightning-fast ZF 8-speed automatic.
Go purist.
The CAD-designed, laser-cut, fully boxed chassis replaces archaic leaf springs with an advanced four-link suspension setup boasting Eibach coil springs and Fox 2.0 dampers.
The factory-original dashboard layout remains intact, but looks are deceiving: the gauge cluster features modern electronic precision internals, the vintage push-button radio conceals Bluetooth connectivity, and dual-zone climate control operates via original chrome switchgear.
So get one in red.
Incredibly, there has to be a market for this. How many can they expect to sell a year, at that price, I wonder?
Or, find an old IH Scout or Travelall, spend a fraction on that price on bringing it back to snuff, and consider it a win.
