Two very different Jeeps, separated by more than four decades of engineering progress, will share the spotlight at Mecum’s Larry’s Legacy 2025 auction on September 21. One represents the earliest attempt to adapt the wartime Jeep for civilian life, while the other embodies the luxury SUV trend that would shape the modern market.
The late Larry Klairmont spent more than a decade collecting rare and coveted classic and collector cars, along with thousands of items of Road Art and memorabilia to complete the look and feel of his Chicago-based museum. A long-time dedicated customer of Mecum Auctions, Klairmont had full faith in the company’s proven ability to draw the best audiences in the world, which is why the museum has selected Mecum to handle the upcoming sale of his treasured collection. Mecum Auctions has spent more than 38 years building trust among the collector car community, offering more than 2,000 collections of varying types in that time. For the company’s lucky bidders, such collections often offer rare buying opportunities for vehicles that have long been tucked away or that have never changed hands at all, along with the peace of mind that the cars were held in the attentive care of a true-blue collector car enthusiast. Click here to register for the Larry’s Legacy auction, to be held on-site at the museum’s downtown Chicago location this Sept. 19-21.
The first is a 1944 Willys-Overland AgriJeep CJ-2, cataloged as Experimental No. X30 and the earliest serial-numbered AgriJeep known to exist. It is No. 6 of only about 40 pre-production examples built and was once assigned to Cornell University for agricultural testing. Sometimes called “CiviJeeps” or “Peace Jeeps,” these vehicles were developed while World War II was still underway as Willys sought to expand the Jeep’s role beyond the battlefield.
Restored over two decades by Tremaine Cooper and Brian Hainer, this AgriJeep retains its 4-cylinder engine, 3-speed manual gearbox, and twin-stick transfer case. Period details such as a canvas top, side-mounted spare, and color-matched wheels remain intact. The Jeep has been featured at the Chicago Auto Show and the Midwest Willys Reunion, further cementing its historical significance.
Also crossing the block is a 1985 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, finished in Garnet with trademark woodgrain trim. Powered by a 258-cubic-inch inline-six with Holley Sniper fuel injection and a three-speed automatic transmission, it is equipped with Jeep’s Selec-Trac four-wheel-drive system. Luxury features include power seats, cruise control, air conditioning, and a retractable rear window.
While the AgriJeep highlights the utilitarian roots of Jeep’s civilian identity, the Grand Wagoneer illustrates the brand’s pivot to upscale comfort and capability. Together, they trace a clear line from agricultural innovation to the rise of the American family SUV.
Eve Nowell