The Wagonmaster in American Profile

[BamaDrew]

Did anyone catch this little article on Leon's Wagoneers in American Profile magazine that came out today? I don't know how it is where you are, but here in comes inserted in our newspaper periodically. Anyhow, I thought it was great to see FSJs getting this kind of coverage.

http://www.americanprofile.com/article/35262.html

[JeepBountyHunter]

Nice, and I thought he was selling his business???

[loganvilledude]

Great Article!

Thanks for sharing:thumbsup:.

[BamaDrew]

Nice, and I thought he was selling his business???


Haven't heard that one. But he is 77 after all. I am sure, if anything, it would be passed down to his kids or other family...based on what I've read and seen about him and his family, they are all fans. But he just seems like one of those people that is doing what he loves and will do it until he can't do it anymore.

:thumbsup:

[vintagetrks]

Cool article thanks for posting it. Checked out the site and he has some really nice waggies. But man the sticker shock. Did'nt they sell for like 25,000 brand new?

[PlasticBoob]

That's cool!

I've poked and prodded at The Wagonmaster here before (and will probably continue to do so), but all in good fun. I think his prices are a little steep, but have nothing against the guy. :thumbsup:

[Oakknoll]

I have seen his business advertised "For Sale" I can't blame him at 77 I would be tired too. You have to hand it to him, he does something he loves to do. We should all be so lucky.

[fulsizjeep]

My little brother goes to school in Kerville. He says there are always very nice FSJs sitting there at his business, Woodys being the front line up. I agree... If we could all be that fortunate! :thumbsup:

[Chevelleguy]

Cool article thanks for posting it. Checked out the site and he has some really nice waggies. But man the sticker shock. Did'nt they sell for like 25,000 brand new?

The last few years went for around 32K. There is another guy that does frame off restos for 90K and has clientele over seas.

[vintagetrks]

The last few years went for around 32K. There is another guy that does frame off restos for 90K and has clientele over seas.

Sure wish I could afford the 25K for a better waggy. He must sell enough of them to keep the buisness going. Just hate to see such fine vehicles going to rich folks.:(

[newtojeeps]

I heard the reason he is selling is it is getting to hard to find the low mileage vehicles he needs for the starting point of the restoration.

[vintagetrks]

I heard the reason he is selling is it is getting to hard to find the low mileage vehicles he needs for the starting point of the restoration.

Sounds like restoring high mileage ones is his next option. But thats probably to costly.

[BamaDrew]

I heard the reason he is selling is it is getting to hard to find the low mileage vehicles he needs for the starting point of the restoration.

Well, I can imagine that this presents some challenges, especially as the years wear on. Granted, they are still out there. However, if it were me, I'd see it as an opportunity to enter a slightly different part of the market. See, the lower mileage ones that are 18+ years old will have issues with leaking, dry-rotting, etc, etc. You always have to go through 'em top to bottom and replacing anything that may leak. Thus, your "renewal process" may cost more. You could raise your mileage cut-off to say, 150k mi., and there is a chance you can find those that because they have been driven more, there may be fewer mechanical issues. You might trade the mechanicals for some cosmetic issues, but renew what you can of those, and resell at somewhat lower prices so more folks can afford them. Then, your lower mileage creampuffs that now trickle in instead of gush in, hold them to the same high standards.

I believe Wagoneer World already does something like this.

[grand_wag_85]

Pretty cool! I had the chance to chat with one of his techs once, seems like a pretty cool gig. I just hate how he posts on his website that the Jeeps have been fully restored when they have just been gone thru, big difference.

[medinajim2000]

That's what I'm doing now (www.ClassicGrandWagoneers.com (http://www.ClassicGrandWagoneers.com)), but I'm re-doing some of them with more than his 70,000 mile cut off. The lowest mileage one I've done is 53,000, and the highest mileage was 98,000. I'm only able to do one or two at a time right now, but I use them as daily drivers until they sell. My name is getting out there now, and I have people calling me from all over the place looking for a particular color combo. One of the people that came out to test drive one of mine saw Wagonmaster on TV one morning (I think he said "Texas Country Today"), thought they were cool and decided he wanted one. Turns out he lived right around the corner from me, so they came over that morning and took a look at what I had.

[madmikeX3]

Good article. Like the SJ series but like the Cherokee best.:thumbsup:

[BamaDrew]

I am sorry, Jim, I failed to mention your name in my post because that is exactly what you are doing now. Yours always turn out really nice...I'm always impressed when I look at the pics of your work. I am glad that your name is getting out there. Who knows where it may lead you!

That's what I'm doing now (www.ClassicGrandWagoneers.com (http://www.ClassicGrandWagoneers.com)), but I'm re-doing some of them with more than his 70,000 mile cut off. The lowest mileage one I've done is 53,000, and the highest mileage was 98,000. I'm only able to do one or two at a time right now, but I use them as daily drivers until they sell. My name is getting out there now, and I have people calling me from all over the place looking for a particular color combo. One of the people that came out to test drive one of mine saw Wagonmaster on TV one morning (I think he said "Texas Country Today"), thought they were cool and decided he wanted one. Turns out he lived right around the corner from me, so they came over that morning and took a look at what I had.

[Daddio]

Those show up for sale around Austin every once in a while:
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/1314907919.html

[medinajim2000]

The sad thing is that somebody out there has convinced people that are in the GW market that anything over a certain mileage is not any good. We all know that is not the case. I've seen them with less than 50000 miles that are ragged out pieces of junk and some with 150000 that are in great shape. The people that I deal with have a misconception that high mileage equals junk, so the first thing people ask me is what the mileage is, not is there rust? has it been kept up? how much does it leak? etc, etc.

[GWDriver]

A great thread over all.

Jim, you do some fine work. Best of luck in the long term as well.

MY question is: Does anyone have a handle on a source for the orignal size woodgrain trim? I see the narrow stuff but it just doesn't look right to me.

Semper Fi,