Restomod Done Right ✔️ '67 Commando Journeys To Barrett-Jackson

Restomod '67 Commando Journeys To Barrett-Jackson: 
My Jeepster Journey
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Classic Jeeps have their own magnetism. Each Jeep has a unique, almost identifiable personality. A valid argument can be made that all vehicles carry this same quality… but I have found it especially true in the Jeeps of yesteryear. There is an irresistible charm in the simplicity of a Jeep that only adds to the appeal.
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Jeep builds vary as much as the folks who drive them… everyone has their own taste. What is good for one may not be good for another. Except for stock survivors, nearly every Jeep can be deemed custom… because no two builds are precisely alike, and no two builders have the exact same vision. As a result, every palette is different… and it is very rare that a restomod-build is universally accepted as exemplary.
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In the spring of 2019, I was fortunate to find myself involved with a ’67 Jeepster Commando as it was prepped and delivered to Barrett Jackson auction in Palm Beach. This Jeepster was exemplary… unique… an homage to yesterday with enough modern flare to make it attractive to damn near any enthusiast.
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I was tasked with documenting the Jeepster’s journey, as it made preparations and exited Tennessee’s Lookout Mountain Valley to find a new home. I spent time with it beforehand, traveled with it to the auction and watched it disappear into new adventures.
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This ’67 Commando was as much a modern art masterpiece as it was a throwback to yesteryear…
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The old Jeep had been completely customized and was powered by a fuel-injected Buick 350ci V8 engine with a truck cam. It also had stainless high-clearance exhaust with Borla mufflers, backed by a built Turbo 400 automatic transmission with a shift kit and heavy-duty clutches. This thing could haul!
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The Jeepster’s entire driveline was rebuilt too; featuring a Dana 30 front end & Dana 44 rear end with Auburn Pro limited-slip differential and 3.73 gears. Power disc brakes were added at all four corners, along with all-new lines and hardware.
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The Commando was also upgraded with new suspension and custom 4" Alcan springs and Bilstein shocks to give it the ground clearance for off-roading and to help fit the 17x9” wheels wrapped in 35x12.50” tires.
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Air conditioning was another welcome addition to the classic Commando. The interior featured a custom roll cage, Raptor liner on both sides of the floor, Focal cabin speakers along with two 10" JL Audio subwoofers and a custom Alpine touchscreen head unit to round out the creature comforts. 
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The Jeepster’s exterior featured custom-made steel bumpers with recessed LED lighting and a WARN winch. It also featured custom inner-front fenders and rear-outer fenders that were widened and raised 6" each way. All-new glass was installed during the build too.
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This Jeep was so unique... it captivated me from the moment I began working with it. After photographing it for weeks and then trailing it for nearly 13 hours from North Georgia to Palm Beach, I was excited to see all the attention it was receiving from the Barrett Jackson crowd.
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Widely regarded as America's premiere classic car auction, Barrett Jackson is not the typical landing place for classic Jeeps. This Commando wasn’t the standard classic Jeep, though. From the moment we arrived it demanded attention, delivered smiles and dug up nostalgic conversations.
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When the time finally came to walk the Jeepster across the auction block, I was full of nervous anticipation. Standing on this storied stage was something I wouldn’t have even dreamed of a year prior. Now, I was here.
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As the Commando stood there too, seemingly floating, soaking up its well-deserved attention and glory… I watched… and waited…
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This was the nicest Jeepster Commando I’d ever seen in my life... on that note, it was one of the finest restomods I’d ever seen in my life…
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What would fate deliver?
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Finally the gavel came down…
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$52,800 was the total sale price for what I, and many others, consider one of the world’s nicest Jeepsters!
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I’d be lying if I claimed I didn’t miss the old Jeep as I drove the route back home from the Barrett Jackson auction that weekend. I’d spent so much time with the old Jeepster over the recent weeks that it seemed akin to a family member or distant relative. As with all things, though, further adventure awaited… both for me and the old Jeepster!
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