Will Chrysler's revived Wagoneer be a new Woody? - CBS News
Fiat Chrysler ( FCAU ) is bringing back the Jeep Grand Wagoneer , one of the first luxury SUVs, in 2018 after a two-decade absence. And that's leading to speculation that the automaker will also resurrect the vehicle's iconic (though fake) wood panel design known as a " woodie ," or in the Wagoneer's case, "the Woody. "They weren't without their flaws," said Chip Miller, who runs Wagonmaster, a Texas business in Kerrville, Texas, that restores and sells the vehicles, in an interview with CBS MoneyWatch. "They are a vehicle some people love and some people love to hate. Data from classic vehicle insurance expert Hagerty cited by Bloomberg shows that average prices for the vehicles have surged more than 35 percent in the last five years. Some higher-end examples fetch prices of about $70,000. Dealers don't expect the newer Grand Wagoneers to depress the demand for the classic ones and note fans are awaiting their return. "They have got a beautiful, timeless look," Jeff Kobs, who owns a Richardson, Texas, dealership that restores Grand Wagoneers, told CBS MoneyWatch, adding that many buyers have "memories associated" with Woodys. Source: www.cbsnews.com
