Discover the fascinating story of the one-of-a-kind 1970 Jeep Bolide XJ-002, a groundbreaking concept car with a remarkable history.
Summary Overview Documents
I (Dan Kunz) bought the car in 1996 and it was stored at two shops until about 2015. I wrote some of the info in this section based on info I collected between 1996 and 1998. I then stopped my research but restarted the research to document the car in 2006. Hence, the big gaps in various documents and some seeming changes in info in more recent and older documents.
There are numerous art and documentation photos, slides and some film (now on DVD) footage of the original vehicle as well as an oral history (on tape by the designer/builder – Dann Deaver) of the vehicle regarding its design, build, testing and history.
An original brochure for the car is in the collection and the only book that had a photo layout of the Bolide is also in the collection "The JEEP Book; America's Premier Recreational Vehicle” (Martyn Schorr, A Marque Series Book, Performance Publications).
One of a Kind Concept Car – Historic Vehicle
This section contains information about this unique and historic car. A DVD including video footage, still photos and an audio interview with Dann Deaver (the designer and builder) is available in this YouTube video. Additional descriptive and validating documents are also available.
With the information contained here the historian, collector, aficionado and general “car nut” should gain a unique perspective on a trend setting car that, according to some, never existed.
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Brief Background
The “Bolide” is a 1969 Kaiser-Jeep factory-authorized concept car. It is the world’s first “SUV”…as the 1970 literature describes it (in words, not letters)! It could be said to have started the legacy of SUV’s…it was just two decades too early.
Other particularly interesting points are that it was reported by the designer to be the first bubble-top T-top and was to be made from Cycolac Thermoplastic. The car was designed and built by Borg Warner’s Centaur Engineering Division in Michigan. After being shown at the 1970 New York International Auto Show the one-off car returned to Centaur and was personally driven by Dann Deaver (designer and builder), albeit minimally, over about a two year period. It was eventually returned to Borg Warner in West Virginia and purchased by the Marketing Manger at Borg Warner. It then went through at least 6 different owners until it was found by the current owner. It had only 9,049 miles on it (documented by title changes).
The designer and builder was Dann Deaver. Dann headed up the Centaur Engineering Division of Borg Warner at the time. Dann is also known for his design and development of the Corvair powered Can-Am, the “Man From Uncle” car, the Piranha, a street capable electric car called the Panda and a dune motorcycle.
Some Interesting History
In 1970 the current owner went to the New York International Auto Show and took a picture of this car. Jeep had the XJ-001 (some say this was the Cowboy. It wasn’t. The Cowboy was a later pickup truck.) in their booth (109) and the XJ-002 (Bolide) in a separate booth (309-B). I thought the Bolide was a great idea and neat looking.
Twenty-six years later I saw a book at a chain bookstore – Cars That Never Were. It showed the XJ-001 but not the XJ-002. I dug out my photos and decided to find out what happened to the car. I had my original photos. I sent out hundreds of letters and pictures and got a few replies…including one from Bruce Meyers (Myers Manx Buggy) and from the Detroit Public Library. No one seemed to know what the car was.
Of all the magazines to which I sent the pictures only one published a picture of it. Kit Car Illustrated published the picture and my name and city. Two days later I get a call. The caller says he has the car and would I like to buy it. His neighbor subscribed to Kit Car Illustrated! It was the Jeep XJ002 Bolide. I bought it.
Next, before restoration, I wanted to track the history of the car. At the time I was working at a non profit organization in the Washington, DC area. One of my Board Members was a Ford executive. I told him about the car and that it was supposedly going to be made of Cycolac (the prototype I have is fiberglass). I needed more information about that product prior to beginning to strip off what was at least 4 layers of paint. He put me in touch with the head of materials at Ford. The vice president was familiar with Cycolac and said that he thought the designer of the Bolide was in his office within the past week. Indeed, he was! After contacting the designer a visit to Detroit was made. Dann Deaver, the designer, was very helpful and allowed reprinting most of his photos and video of the car. All these materials are available.
Concept Car
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Important Summary Facts
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Jeep Concept Car: 1969 Kaiser-Jeep factory authorized Concept Car. Last Concept Car authorized by Kaiser-Jeep before take over by AMC. Only Kaiser-Jeep Concept Car built out of house.
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Base Vehicle: 1969 Jeep Commando Pickup. Kaiser-Jeep VIN# plate attached.
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VINs and Other Numbers: All match as appropriate per original title.
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Designer/Builder: Dann Deaver. Last: Origins, Inc., Chesterfield, MI.
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Build Contracted To: Centaur Engineering of Marbon Chemical Co. of Borg Warner, Inc.
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Place of Build: Michigan by Centaur Engineering.
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Number Built: One (1) (Rumor said 3. Not true per information from Deaver – All tooling destroyed after one built.)
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Material: Concept car of fiberglass, production car was to be of Cycolac thermoplastic
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Marketing Concept By: Jack Griffith (formally of Griffith Motor Cars), Huntington, NY
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To Be Sold By: Bolide Motor Car Company, Huntington, NY. Through selected Jeep dealers like Cobra and TVR Griffith through selected Ford Dealers.
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Shown: 1970 New York International Auto Show (Booth 309-B, Jeep Booth was 109). Only displayed at one show.
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Current Owner: Daniel W. Kunz
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Number of owners: At least 9. Some with title and others without title (all documented).
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States Titled In: MI, OH, WV, VA . Currently titled in VA as 1969 Jeep with inspectors adjudication letter.
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Found In: West Virginia, 1996.
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Mileage When Located: 9,049 original and documented by titles.
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Colors: Original was marigold yellow. Had been light blue, dark blue, black, hot pink, camo.
Firsts and a Few Lasts
The “LOST” or “NEVER BUILT” Jeep.
Many historians believed the XJ-002 was planned but never built. Or, if it was built it was immediately destroyed. Neither is the case as the car does exist and it has a complete and extensively documented paper trail.
The XJ-002 Bolide was a unique vehicle, far ahead of its time in concept, design and implementation. Its list of “firsts” include:
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Reported to be the first bubble-top T-top anticipated for production as documented by Dann Deaver in a notarized letter.
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First “Sport and Utility” vehicle ever developed with a clear understanding of its purposefulness meeting two widely divergent markets.
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First prototype concept vehicle ever authorized to be built out of house by any Jeep entity to that time period.
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Last prototype concept vehicle ever authorized to be built by Kaiser-Jeep before its sale to AMC.
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Last effort of Kaiser-Jeep senior executive staff to find a unique niche-market car to recapture the imagination of the buying public and reportedly to either improve the chances of the AMC takeover or stem the interest in the AMC takeover…depending on with whom you talk.
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First Kaiser-Jeep production planned concept car to use Cycolac thermoplastic as opposed to metal or fiberglass. The existing XJ-002 Bolide was to be the test model and final-final production molds were to be made from this car.
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First Kaiser-Jeep planned to be sold through selected Jeep dealers by a third party (Jack Griffith– Huntington Motor Cars) to increase the uniqueness of the brand and to increase market awareness of Kaiser-Jeep as an innovator in what they saw to be a new and younger market segment. (Similar concept to the TVR Griffith, also made by Jack Griffith to compete with the Ford Cobra. That car was sold through very select Ford dealerships).
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First Kaiser-Jeep Concept Car to be shown at a major auto show (New York International Auto Show, 1970, Booth 309-B) outside of the Kaiser-Jeep booth (Booth 109). It was shown by Huntington (Bolide) Motor Cars (Jack Griffith) of New York and called the Bolide but signage in the booth called it the Jeep XJ-002. Literature referred to it as the Jeep XJ-002 Bolide. The intent was clear…it was to be a “specialty” vehicle available through selected Jeep dealerships.
Another XJ: The XJ-001 Concept Car was built in house by Kaiser-Jeep and was produced only as a design study. It was never designed to be a production vehicle. Both cars had a V6 not a V8 as has been incorrectly reported. The XJ001 car is described in virtually all Jeep publications. The XJ-001 was destroyed in a transporter fire after the NYIAS at which both cars appeared. The XJ-002 Bolide is infrequently mentioned in publications because its existence had been doubted.
Facts & Myths
Fact
The car was obviously designed, engineered and built! Internal oral history from Kaiser-Jeep, AMC and Chrysler says the car never existed.
Fact
Based on numerous historical documents this is the only Jeep concept car or prototype built under contract out of house.
Fact
This is the last Kaiser-Jeep concept car or prototype ever built.
Fact
The car was shown at the 1970 New York International Auto Show in a booth separate from the Jeep booth. The XJ001 was in the Jeep booth and the AMX was in a separate booth and AMC is not listed as being at the show. Time didn’t permit consolidation of these booths after sale of KJ to AMC (February 5, 1970).
Fact
The car has had numerous owners and was street driven in multiple states. It was insured and passed inspection in some states.
Fact
The designer and builder was Dann Deaver.
Fact
The designer aThe car was to be marketed by Huntington (Bolide) Motor Cars, Jack Griffith.
Fact
Only one was ever built and then the molds were destroyed immediately. Per Designer, Builder, Marketer and Corporate Representative.
Fact
The car was never finished to production standard. The car was very rough at the New York International auto show. Upholstered seats, console and dash but no headliner, carpets or other detailing was done. Rubber floor mats. Existing Commando dashboard changed to use round gauges. Dune buggy seats, high back. Many items removed such as the heater core, or sometimes never wired. Only street necessary items were kept or properly assembled. Frame, suspension, interior rough fiberglass and other parts were painted with black house paint by brush while on the way to the NYIAS per the designer and builder.
Fact
To facilitate quick design and build, components from other cars were used. Ford Mustang rear lights, Challenger side marker lights, stock paint color, etc.
Fact
Doors were contemplated and a fitted buck was made but the doors were never made and never installed. Photos showing cloth half doors were not made by the designer and builder but by one of the owners.
Fact
Car was to be made of Cycolac. Confirmed by all above-mentioned people. The existing Bolide is fiberglass and was to become the buck.
Fact
Car was somewhat a clandestine operation which was to be announced if the sale of Kaiser-Jeep didn’t go through. Authorizing corporate official (John Cady) hoped it would give the company a new image and improve his job retention and authority. Confirmed by all above-mentioned people.
Fact
The car, if produced was to be sold through selected dealerships by Jack Griffith. Similar concept to Ford Cobra or Griffith’s TVR. An attractant to interest new customers in Jeeps and to show a new and more youthful approach to a broader market.
Fact
The car was the first vehicle called a Sport and Utility Vehicle (per some literature).
Fact
The car was to be the first production bubble-top T-top (although this has been disputed).
Fact
At the end of the 1970 New York International Auto Show AMC did not want the car back.
Fact
The car was built in Michigan.
Fact
There were 11,289 Jeepsters built in 1969. The production run for pickups with the 4-cylinder engine started with 28002. 1,016 were Pickups. However, it is unknown what the sequential serial numbers were for the 6 cylinder engines. The Bolide is #059729. Assuming the H17 Jeepster started at 59000, then it can be assumed that the Bolide was a late build…number 729 of 1016. The exact date of build or even the exact sequence of build however, at this time, cannot be fully documented.
Fact
AMC did not want the car after the NYIAS. AMC called it a "whim" and that they don't do "whims".
Myth
The car never existed, was never designed, was never built. Simply doesn’t exist. Internal history from Kaiser-Jeep, AMC and Chrysler says the car never existed. A few diehards from the past internal operations of these companies still claim it doesn’t exist. But clearly it did and does!
Myth
Three each of two different types were built. Myth started by an owner and mentioned by current owner in early letter. The prior owner claimed they knew where the other cars were. Visits to those locations and people by the current owner found the claim not to be true. Picked up by one publication and propagated widely. Fully discounted by Dann Deaver.
Myth
Car was a secret military vehicle and tested by military at Aberdeen. Again, myth by prior owned and widely distributed after an investigative letter was sent seeing clarification. This conspiracy theory even had one of the prior owners fearful of having their name associated with the car…this elderly woman was afraid the government would come after her. Current owner has documentation from Aberdeen and has visited and searched the Aberdeen archives. No such event occurred. Fully discounted by Dann Deaver.
Myth
An Arab Sheik has one of the original cars. Existing car is the only one was built. Fanciful rumor by a prior owner. Never widely distributed as information. Fully discounted by Dann Deaver.
Myth
Original car is of Cycolac or the tub liner is Cycolac. The prototype concept car is all fiberglass and was to be the buck for a Cycolac mold.
Myth
The car was to be fitted with a V8 like the XJ001. No plans existed to do so and it has since been documented that the XJ001 had the V6 not a V8 as originally reported and is now widely assumed.
Extensive Documentation
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Copies of all title transfers and ownership records.
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Registered and plated in at least 3 states, street-driven throughout its history.
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Signed design drawings, including initial concept sketches and later iterations.
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Video footage of test track and field performance (Watch the Video!).
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Photos showcasing the car's artistic and technical documentation.
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Audio interview with the designer and builder.
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Full Provenance From Day One
A detailed history and documentation of the Jeep Bolide XJ002
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Base Vehicle
The base vehicle for the Bolide XJ-002 was a Jeepster Commando, 1969, V-6, TH400, 4WD, 3.31, likely #729 of 1016 pickups built.
While the base vehicle was constructed in 1969, the Bolide was referred to as a 1970 model, reflecting its debut at the 1970 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).
Ownership History
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11 documented owners, with matching VINs for every transfer (copies available).
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Registered and plated in at least 3 states, street-driven throughout its history.
Historical Verification
Verified against Kaiser-Jeep records, matching as closely as possible given the limited archival data available.
Molds Destroyed After First Build
One-Of-One Kaiser-Jeep Authorized Concept Car
Last Kaiser-Jeep Concept Car Ever Built
First Kaiser-Jeep Concept Car Designed and Built Out-of-House
Shown Once 1970 New York International Auto Show
First Recorded/Known bubble-top T-top
First ‘Sport and Utility’ Vehicle (Wording Not ‘SUV’)
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Purpose
To Create Modern/Youth Interest in Jeeps (I.E., ‘Future Vision/Think’ by a Kaiser-Jeep Corporate Senior Executive, John Cady, to Establish a Unique Niche-Market Approach)
Somewhat Clandestine Operation by Jeep Executive Due to Impending Takeover by AMC.
Marketing
It Was to Be Marketed by Jack Griffith’s (TVR/Griffith) Huntington Motor Cars Through Select Jeep Dealers (Similar to How Griffith and Cobras Were Sold Through Select Ford Dealers).
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Last Kaiser-Jeep Concept Car Ever Built
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First Kaiser-Jeep Concept Car Designed and Built Out-of-House
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(Dann Deaver, Borg Warner, Cycolac Division, Centaur Engineering)
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Shown Once 1970 New York City International Auto Show
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First Recorded/Known Bubble T-Top
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First ‘Sport and Utility’ Vehicle (Wording Not ‘SUV’)
Technical History
It was designed to be a Cycolac plastic ‘body drop’ on Jeepster Commando pick-up base mechanicals.
This is a prototype car and is made of fiberglass.
It was fully drivable, titled under 11 owners, registered in five locations, and street insured in at least three states.
The New York International Auto Show and Results
The current owner and a Cycolac Division Staff Member at the 1970 NYIAS
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Current owner photographed car at the 1970 NYIAS.
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AMC didn’t want the car back after the NYIAS as it didn’t fit their marketing or product line.
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Brochure used at the show exists.
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‘Downtown’ quick build for the auto show, components from other cars used where needed or looked appropriate, but mostly Jeep parts.
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Interior was rough fiberglass, and all parts were painted black with house paint by workers in the trailer on the way to the NYIAS.
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There was an XJ-001 at the NYIAS, but it was destroyed in a transporter crash and fire sometime after the auto show. Confirmed.
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Found by the current owner in mid-1996, being off road driven.
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Found by an amazing series of coincidences.
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Multiple published articles over the years.