This week’s spot, a 77 Jeep J-10 Honcho, is a perfect example of a rugged, functional, and distinctive American pickup that became a cult classic for its blend of capability and style. It came standard with an AMC 360 V8 engine, often with a 4-barrel carburetor, and Dana 4-wheel drive. After AMC had acquired Jeep back in 1970, it started making the pickups more car-like in ride and comfort.
AMC was also into offering all kinds of special trim packages to make the truck stand out, like the Honcho trim package, which offered distinctive styling and features, including a light bar with KC lights, an engine-turned instrument panel, and an extra-sound-deadened cabin with a sport wheel. A popular option that had begun with AMC’s Gremlin in 1972 was the Levi’s interior, which featured denim material, copper rivets, and orange stitching on the bucket seats. The basis for the truck was the SJ Jeep, which is noteworthy for remaining in production for more than 26 years on a single automobile platform generation.
RELATED Spot: The AMC car that started the Levi’s interior trend.
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The truck showcased Jeep’s signature grille, round headlights, and a muscular body, giving it a tough and utilitarian look that remains popular with collectors. The Honcho was one in a series of special decal packages offered for J-Series trucks in the mid-to-late 1970s.
It also had its 15 minutes of fame, appearing in the 1996 movie Twister, as Jo Harding’s Jeep J10 is a bit weathered and well-used. The Sun Yellow pickup sports the Honcho package, including radical blue graphics, an optional grille guard, and a factory-installed tubular roll bar. The J10 sacrifices itself early on in the movie during a failed Dorothy deployment. I still go ohhhhh when I see it getting trashed.
So why can’t we buy something like this anymore? Well, when Chrysler acquired Jeep in 87, they already had a large pickup in the Ram, so they didn’t see the big Jeep fitting in its portfolio.
These actually have some decent value in them, with only 1,264 of these trucks ever made. Even the short bed with the 6-cyl. 258cid/110hp 1bbl will fetch decent coin according to Hagerty, one in #3 Good condition will set you back just over 20 grand, while a #1 Concours will sell for $66.200. Prices will jump up when it comes equipped with the 390 or 401 AMC V8. A #1 Concours is valued at $73,500. I couldn’t find any values for one loaded like this one, you can bet it will go north of the $73K and well worth it.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out this week’s spot. Be sure to come back next Sunday for another one, along with some of its history. Have a great week ahead.
Savage On Wheels 
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