The Jeep CJ66 is just the latest in a long and storied line of Jeep concept vehicles to emerge from the creative minds at Jeep and Mopar. Built with a variety of Jeep components including bits from the TJ-, CJ-, and JK-series Jeeps, the Moab-inspired CJ66 makes its debut at the 2016 SEMA show in Las Vegas.
Starting with a Jeep Wrangler TJ frame, the team dug deep into the brand?s legacy and came up with a 1966 Jeep CJ Universal Tuxedo Park body. While the specific details regarding the low-volume Tuxedo Park Jeeps are highly contested, most experts agree that it debuted as an option package in 1961 to imbue the rugged Jeep with more upscale appeal for the general consumer. It achieved this by adding chrome bumpers, hood hinges, and badging, plus whitewall tires and other minor trim upgrades. In 1964, Kaiser introduced the Tuxedo Park Mark IV as a new model of sorts. Rare in any configuration, the rarest is the long-wheelbase Universal model, which is what Mopar used for the CJ66 concept. Jeep called this one Universal because it let buyers outfit their Jeep to fit their needs with numerous hard- and softtop options and even the opportunity to specify a PTO to run a post-hole digger or other agricultural equipment. Whatever the backstory, it?s hard to ignore this rig’s Copper Canyon finish, the 35-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, and the Jeep Performance Parts 17-inch wheels with color-matched beadlock rings. A two-way air system takes the hassle out of airing the t...