I have been hunting for a classic Jeep J10 pickup, and over the last few months, three very different examples have caught my attention. One sold at Mecum Nashville, another crossed the block at Dallas, and the third is an extended cab prototype with a remarkable survival story.
That last truck, a 1977 J10 nicknamed the Unicorn, was once bought for just one dollar. But the story behind that price is what makes it special.
1984 Jeep J10: the understated classic
The first truck in the video is the 1984 Jeep J10 from Mecum Nashville. Finished in almond beige with a nutmeg interior, it has the understated full-size Jeep look that I really like.
As described in the walkthrough, its equipment includes a 360-cubic-inch V8, automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, Warn locking hubs, Bilstein shocks, and cruise control. The sale price reported in the video is $23,100.
1979 Jeep J10 Honcho: the one I considered bidding on
The blue-and-white 1979 Honcho at Mecum Dallas is what I picture when someone says “classic Jeep pickup.” It combines bold paint with a 360 V8, automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive.
The video also notes air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, and locking front hubs. I was considering bidding, but the bidding reached $30,000 without meeting reserve. That figure was a bid, rather than a completed sale price.
The 1977 extended cab prototype called the Unicorn
The third Jeep has a very different background. According to Mecum’s prototype listing, it was an engineering exercise that combined a Wagoneer frame with a Cherokee Chief cab to explore an extended cab pickup with rear seating.
The listing credits AMC/Jeep research and development supervisor Harold “Pete” Johnson with helping create the truck. When it was destined for destruction, he kept it concealed at the Toledo plant. Upon retiring, he was permitted to buy it for $1.
The truck stayed with Johnson and his family and later underwent a restoration to its original prototype specifications. Mecum lists it for January 8, 2027, at Kissimmee, as Lot J145. The dollar figure belongs to that earlier employee purchase; it is not an asking price for the upcoming auction.
Three J10s, three different stories
| Truck | What caught my attention | Price or status |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 Jeep J10 | Almond beige finish and classic understated styling | $23,100 sale reported in the video |
| 1979 Jeep J10 Honcho | Blue-and-white paint and the truck I considered bidding on | $30,000 bid; reserve not met, as reported in the video |
| 1977 J10 extended cab prototype | The Unicorn’s engineering and survival story | Listed for Mecum Kissimmee, January 8, 2027 |
I would love to have any of these in my garage. The 1984 and Honcho appeal to me as classic pickups, while the prototype adds a completely different chapter of Jeep history.
A GMC restoration is coming to the garage
I did bring a truck home from Mecum Dallas: a 1976 GMC Sierra Classic 15. It needs a lot of restoration, and I will be sharing videos of the work along the way on MakerBuildIt Garage.
Watch the Jeep J10 story
Which would you choose: the 1984, the Honcho, or the Unicorn prototype? Tell us your pick in the comments.