1965 Jeep Kaiser Wagoneer, The "Camp Host" Travel Trailer Hauler

Jeep Wagoneer 1965 Description

1965 Kaiser Jeep Wagoneer, he “Camp Host”

This unrestored early Wagoneer (before AMC took over Jeep) is a highly optioned rig in its original Parkway Green with the “Rhino-Chaser” front grill. It has the 327 cubic inch *Vigilante* V8 motor mated to the TH400 automatic transmission, D20 transfer case and all of these units including the two differentials have been professionally rebuilt within the last 19,000 miles and 7 years. Other options are: 4WD, S, B, eluxe chrome trim around all window openings, eluxe interior (including the working clock) and roof rack. Dealer installed “Cust-O-Matic” under-dash Air Conditioning has been serviced and keeps the cabin cool.

I purchased it from the original 85-year old owner in Phoenix, Z in 2008 when the rig had 123,700 miles and the motor was freshly rebuilt (receipt for all major work performed by the P.O. included). I was impressed by the absolute bone-dry condition of all of the metal, nd although every panel had either a small bump, crape, rease or ding, set about moisturizing the paint and preserving it as is. He said that he adjusted the front bumper, hich is made up of 3 bolted-together blades so that the bumper is a couple inches wider on both sides, n full *bush whacking* mode. He used the Jeep to escape the Phoenix summers on family camping trips up North, nd while trekking on and off road, erformed many field-n-stream sewing repairs to the seats and headliner using dental floss, r whatever they had on hand, o fix accidental tears from their equipment. The Wagoneer would languish under their carport for the remainder of the time, nly racking up 3000 miles a year.

This vehicle had been a godsend to me through a mutual friend because I am a vintage travel trailer enthusiast and we were looking for a suitable rig to haul our ’58 Shasta. To ensure maximum safety and reliability on the road with our trailer, had my mechanic do the following:

· Remove the motor for painting and detailing, eplace the freeze plugs, eplace the motor mounts (made custom by a vulcanized rubber company), nstall electronic ignition.

· New radiator core, ew heater core, ebuilt heater vacuum actuators, ew thermostat & water pump. New fuel pump and all water hoses, uel and vacuum lines.

· Install a high output alternator, ebug all electrical including heating fan, ighting, /C, nd rebuild all gauges with new sending units and a new starter.

· Install a transmission cooler with solid lines, ew vacuum modulator.

· Replace the single-circuit master cylinder with a new dual-circuit power master, ew hard brake lines, ew wheel cylinders, ew shoes, urned the drums, ew shocks & steering damper. I have the brakes fully rebuilt and replaced each year for safe trailering.

· New Holley carb. Not only did this give the extra power that we needed, ut warm up, dle and vacuum were greatly improved.

· Heavy duty hitch receiver, hile retaining spare tire area underneath, ith digital trailer brake controller.

· Total investment in mechanical items alone for the past 7 years of happy ownership has been over $9000, all receipts in hand) and today it truly needs nothing.

Now with the preserved vintage exterior and interior completed, nd reliable mechanicals underneath the skin, e set out on 4-6 vintage camp outs and music festivals a year. The Camp Host has been a regular center piece at many vintage trailer events and is a well-known Wagoneer in So Cal. We have averaged about 2500 miles of smiles per year, hile keeping it stored under cover the remainder of the time.

The paint appears to have been reshot in the original color a long, ong time ago, nd has mellowed to a nice patina. As I stated, he body has too many bumps and bruises to count, ut the over-all well-worn nature of the Camp Host is just too special to restore. There is no accident damage to the body or frame….it just appears that the previous owner bumped into things at very low speed.

I replaced the windshield and windshield seal, nd all other glass is great, ll windows roll up and down and do not rattle, nd the wind wings seal nicely. All the door handles work, s well as the door locks. It looks as though the seat top upholstery was changed from the original fabric to a more forgiving naugahyde. I have a sample of the original from SMS out of Oregon, f one wanted to recover the seats. I had a new carpet kit made in the exact green as the original, nd the original green molded rubber mats are intact in the cargo area. I had Coco Mats make a custom set for this rig (I mailed them a paper pattern). The door cards are all a little worse for ware, ut the whole package presents as a nice survivor with all the little original details that I did not want to disturb.

I have installed YOM license plates, hich I will transfer to the new owner if you live in California. It rolls on powder coated rims and new truck tires and is a pleasure to drive everywhere. Starts right up, arms up and settles into a nice idle. Turn on the original AM radio and let the warm tones ooze from the mono dash speaker, rop it in gear, hrow your arm over the seat back, nd ramble on. Steering, raking, cceleration, uspension and shifting are great with no quirkiness that one may expect from a 50-year old SUV.

Be the hit of your next camping trip, railer event, ars-n-coffee cruise-in or just local trips to the hardware store…you will never be alone, here is a new friend around every corner. I installed a dual French horn with a crisp sound to *answer back* to all the fellow travelers on the freeway who toot at you. You will get all of the service records and accessories shown on the Wagoneer, ncluding the original owners manual and air conditioning manual and original and spare keys.

Why am I selling it?! We retired the Shasta trailer to the backyard and are continuing forth with our vintage trailer events and music festivals in a VW microbus. If you have any specific photo or information request, lease contact me, ave: pollutionguy at a0L d0t c0m and I will get them right back to you. If you are local, lease come by for a test drive and inspection. If you are the winning bidder and for whatever reason you do not want to follow through with the purchase, hen I will simply go to the next highest bidder and so on….no non-refundable deposit, o negative feedback and no bad vibes. We want to find someone who is truly excited to own this amazing Wagoneer, o Bid With Confidence!