Vigilante Unveils Fastest Vintage Jeep Ever Created with Viper-Powered 1979 Cherokee S

• The Perfect Pairing of Power and Elegance is Evidenced by a Blistering 825 Horsepower from the Reimagined Cherokee Along with a Stylish Two-Tone Colorway & Corresponding Denim Interior

[source: Vigilante]

JOHNSON CITY, TX – With a well-deserved reputation as the world’s finest restorers and enthusiasts in the vintage Jeep sector, Vigilante is consistently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible underneath the hood of a classic-style Jeep. In keeping with the company’s tradition for building the finest custom Jeeps available in the marketplace today, the Texas-based builders have once again established a new high watermark of performance and drivability from a classic-style Jeep. In a true masterclass of design and engineering, Vigilante is proud to unveil a completely reimagined 1979 Cherokee S imbued with Viper V10 power good for an astonishing 825 horsepower and 750 lb.-ft. of torque. In successfully incorporating the dominant V10 powerplant into this 70’s-era Cherokee, Vigilante has created the fastest vintage Jeep in the world.

“I am proud to say that we have built the fastest vintage Jeep in the world. This 1979 Cherokee S with a Viper V10 is the result of countless hours of design, engineering, fabrication, paint, and so much more. It’s a true labor of love, and you’d be hard-pressed to find another team around the globe who has as much knowledge and experience working in Jeep restoration and modification as we have here at Vigilante,” comments Vigilante Co-Founder and CEO Daniel van Doveren. “We encourage all Vigilante customers to think big when designing their dream Vigilante Jeep, and the Viper V10 Cherokee is our latest example of pushing the boundaries of what a classic Jeep can do.”

Following months of design and preparation and involving thousands of hours of dedicated authentic restoration, Vigilante’s Viper V10-powered Cherokee is an exceptional example of what these Texas Hill Country automotive innovators are capable of. Starting life as a solid-colored 1979 Jeep Cherokee S, Vigilante began the modification process by completely stripping the body down to its bare metal. The backbone of the new Vigilante 1979 Cherokee starts with a newly developed modern chassis designed exclusively by the company following a complete 3D scan of the original vehicle to ensure no body modifications are necessary. A purpose-built wiring harness and all electrical components are then implemented to ensure that all modern upgrades and components plug-in seamlessly.

Known for meticulously restoring classic Jeeps to a level that few others are capable of, Vigilante’s new 1979 Cherokee S features an astonishing level of speed and control by way of modern upgrades expertly implemented throughout. The Mopar Gen V Prefix Viper 550/9.0L V10 crate engine provides stunning performance figures with a peak RPM of 6400 and 550 cubic inches of displacement. Paired with a 6-speed manual transmission that is HEMI compatible and with four-wheel drive capabilities allows the Cherokee S to handle much smoother than the original. Performance is distributed to all four wheels via the Atlas-II transfer case and durable Dana 44/Dana 60 Currie Enterprise axles. To ensure optimal handling and comfort, the 4-link Eibach coil suspension combined with Fox Racing shocks provides a more balanced stance and smoother ride for all within the cabin. Braking performance is enhanced by signature 6-piston brakes with Hydroboost power assistance, delivering confidence-inspiring stopping power when needed. Stainless steel exhaust manifolds mated to a Borla dual in-out muffler with mandrel bent stainless steel dual exhaust system provides a boisterous engine note that commands attention out on the open road.

The absolute genius of each Vigilante build goes far beyond just performance and drivability. Paying homage to one of the finest 70’s-era Jeeps ever built, Vigilante chose to implement a stylish Frosted Glass Blue & Stratus White two-tone paint scheme along with a tribal stripe on the Cherokee’s exterior. Utilizing the original 1979 Jeep body, no reproduction panels are incorporated at any point. 

In order to effectively match the 70’s-era aesthetic adoring the outside of the Cherokee S, Vigilante incorporated original Levis Denim interior fabric along with Moore & Giles fine leathers to create a stylish vintage interior. Each seat also underwent an extensive restoration, including a thorough powder coating process, along with the installation of new springs, foam, and padding for unparalleled comfort. 

Other cosmetic accouterments include signature machined Vigilante wheels, mirrors, grille, and emblems placed strategically throughout. Vigilante’s impressive attention to detail is evident throughout every build aspect, ranging from the careful restoration of the Cherokees chrome trim to the extensive noise-canceling Dynamat soundproofing. Modern climate control for both the front and rear seating along with Bluetooth radio compatibility are also subtly inserted under the dash, interfaced with the original-style radio & HVAC controls. 

“Our team at Vigilante is committed to building the finest custom Jeeps on the planet. We take great pride in the sheer level of attention-to-detail that goes into each new creation, down to every last nut and bolt,” continues van Doveren. “We specialize in preserving the classic Jeep aesthetic while subtly empowering these legendary vehicles with the performance and reliability our customers need and deserve for modern-day driving. It is our great pleasure to breathe new life into classic Jeeps such as this 1979 Cherokee S, and we look forward to making our clients dreams continue to come true with new custom Jeep creations in the future.”

Representing the pinnacle of Vigilante’s skill in restoration and engineering, the exclusive custom Viper V10-powered 1979 Cherokee S commission was recently sold. 

All Vigilante builds are available with a starting price tag of $295,000.  For more information about Vigilante’s Viper-powered 1979 Cherokee S, or to inquire about vintage Jeep custom commissions, please visit www.vigilante4x4.com or email info@vigilante4x4.com.