With its front end inspired by the M715 of old, Jeep’s Convoy concept was perhaps the most distinctive new offering to come from this year’s Easter Safari. But nine years previously, another concept with similar styling had alerted the world to the imminent arrival of a new Jeep like no other before it.
Of all the seven concept vehicles Jeep built for this year’s Easter Safari, the Convoy is possibly most eye-catching. That’s saying something, because it was in spectacular company – but while every one of the others looked like a Wrangler, this military-themed take on the Gladiator pick-up stands out thanks to the ‘J-nose’ front end reminiscent of the 1962 SJ and military M715 Kaiser.
The original SJ Gladiator was sold in various guises until 1988, making it one of the few vehicles to last more than a quarter of a century on the same basic platform. It was the basis for the M715, which appeared in 1967 and saw service in Vietnam with some 33,000 units going on to be built.
The civilian SJ was available with a wide range of engines and gearboxes during its time, as well as options including two and four-wheel drive, dually rear wheels and, on early examples, independent front suspension. It was also the first truck in America to feature an OHC engine, the 3.8-litre, 140bhp Tornado straight six.
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