1980 Jeep Cherokee Is a Retro Classic
The 1980 Jeep Cherokee didn’t do well when it came out. After such a poor first year of sales, why is it so popular now?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
As the
classic car
world turns, vehicles from the ‘80s and ‘90s are quickly gaining steam as collectibles. But not all old cars are made equal. While fox-body and SN95 Mustangs rise in price and popularity, their key rival of the same era—the fourth-gen
Chevy Camaro
—still sits firmly in the “project car” category.1980 Jeep Cherokee: from rejected to rare
The 1980
Jeep Cherokee
did not enter a welcoming market. U.S. drivers were struggling through their second gas shortage in a decade, and crippling fuel prices had them opting for small and economic over full-size and capable.Jeep, whose parent company AMC was being taken over by French automaker Renault, saw a massive downturn in demand for the Cherokee and its luxury counterpart, the Wagoneer.
In response, the brand drastically cut production. The
International Full Size Jeep Association
(IFSJA) says that under 10,500 Wagoneers and just over 7,600 Cherokees were built that year.Those numbers didn’t offer a great return on investment at the time, but for today’s
car collectors
, they’re helping create an insatiable hunger for these classic SUVs.Classic Jeep Cherokees riding high on the Wagoneer’s wake
The 1980 SJ Wagoneer has enjoyed massive collector appeal for years—as its current value shows.
Hagerty
says a base model in fair condition is worth nearly $13,000. One in excellent condition is worth nearly $30,000. Its highest sale recorded by Hagerty was almost $66,700.The Cherokee from the same era doesn’t quite reach those heights as a collectible, but it’s definitely profiting from its similarity to the Wagoneer. In excellent shape, a ‘80 Cherokee wide-wheel wagon can go for $26,100, and recently, one sold at auction for over $56,000.
The value gap makes sense. With its six-cylinder base engine, the Cherokee was marketed as an affordable version of the Wagoneer from the beginning.
With only 110 hp under the hood, the entry-level Cherokee lost favor with buyers after its first decade. But nostalgia for its shape and brand have clearly drowned out any past complaints about the full-size SUV.
Coverage for a 1980 Jeep Cherokee
If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a 1980 Jeep Cherokee, choosing a car insurance policy might be trickier than you think.
The type of coverage you want may depend on the condition of the SUV. If you find one in good or fair condition that you plan to restore, regular
classic car coverage
might be right for you. If the SUV is in excellent or “Concours” condition, you’ll want to make sure you’re covered under a policy that’s based on agreed value. Any SJ Cherokee in this kind of shape is more than a car—it's an investment.
No matter what vehicle you end up with, Jerry can help you find the right coverage at the best price. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and can even help you cancel your old policy.
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