This weekend marks the date when throngs of zealot 4×4 drivers make their yearly pilgrimage to Moab, Utah, for the Easter Jeep Safari.
Hosted by Jeep, the event is also a chance for the brand to leak a handful of concept cars it’s been tooling with on the test track.
This year, Jeep rolled up its sleeves and leaned on its roots to bring back a few oldies, but also a few new goodies. Here’s a peek.
The SJ Jeep Cherokee was the brand’s full-size SUV produced from 1974 – 1983. Taking a line from Toyota’s FJ revival, Jeep cut two inches off the Wrangler’s roof, chromed the grill, and gave it a laid back surfer vibe. It looks equally capable for the beach as it does the desert.
With its 37-inch BFGoodrich tires and the high-walled bed, Jeep’s Red Rock Responder has a Humvee profile, but the front end is all classic Wrangler. With its pair of slide-out drawers stocked with first-aid equipment and tools, the Responder is the event’s dedicated support vehicle.
The Jeep Staff Car is a nod to the company’s historical roots in the military service. Under the desert paint and stretched canvas roof sits a utilitarian open-air design. But it isn’t all business; a built-in cooler can hold up to 85 cans to ensure the staff is refreshed.
A departure from the fleet of Wranglers attending the Safari, Jeep will be driving up in its tricked-out Grand Cherokee.
Built for the city driver who doesn’t mind getting dirty, the Cherokee Overland is dressed in a custom front with an integrated winch, tow hooks, off-road rock rails, and 18-inch wheels clad in BFGoodrich T/A tires.
Once you find your choice vista, drop the ladder and pitch the roof-mounted camper to make the road your overnight home.
Will we see any of these come to market? We can hope, but likely not. All concepts, each Jeep is currently produced as a one-off.
