Every year, for the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, Jeep gifts its fans with outrageous concept cars. For 2017, the offerings ran the gamut of concepts with vintage inspiration, old models with modern twists and new all-out rock-crawlers, while each conceptual offroader was kept original and fresh. What truly makes theses concept cars great, though, is that they’re actual working cars, as opposed to the standard just-for-show concept cars you see from almost everyone else.
Of all the concepts Jeep is bringing to the 51st annual party, the Grand One and the CJ66 are by far the best. The Grand One is a 25th-anniversary edition of the 1993 ZJ Grand Cherokee with much-needed modern updates, including 33-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2 tires, front and rear axles with locking differentials and a two-inch suspension lift. Inside they kept things faithful to the era with “’90s-inspired materials and touches” — which might just mean cheap plastic and polished-looking off-white leather, but hey, at least it’s period correct.
The CJ66 goes farther down the retro-themed road and puts a 1966 Jeep Wrangler CJ universal Tuxedo Park body on top of a TJ-generation frame, drawing power from a 5.7-liter V8. And if that’s not enough, the CJ66 is also fitted with 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, 17-inch beadlock wheels and a two-inch lift kit.
Jeep definitely did not disappoint this year. It’s a good sign that Jeep is listening to its customers. Although it would be infinitely better if Jeep just sent these concepts to production as is.
