The Jeep CJ-5 and CJ-7 deserve mention in a classic car forum because the vintage Jeep restoration community shares almost everything with the muscle car community — the appreciation for original specifications, the debates about restoration vs modification, the network of suppliers and specialists.

The early CJ-5s with the flathead four-cylinder are pure vehicles for what they were designed to do. The later cars with the AMC inline six or the V8 options are more versatile. The CJ-7 added a wider body and optional hardtop that made the car more practical for daily use.

Original examples in unmodified condition are increasingly rare. The culture of lifting and modifying Jeeps has consumed most of the production. Finding a stock early CJ is a legitimate barn find opportunity.