Every vehicle has a story to tell, and sometimes, an inquisitive owner can find a treasure trove of information by researching a car’s VIN history and the available documentation. That’s what happened to Joe Crossman of Arizona when he got curious about his Grand Cherokee. The CARFAX report showed corporate ownership in Michigan, yet the vehicle’s maintenance had taken place in California. One thing led to another, and Joe found out his Jeep was not only corporate-owned, but it also appeared in magazines and media during its early days.
Joe was among the many attendees at the Future Collector Car Show in Scottsdale, and I was privileged to get up close and personal with his unique ride. Our ensuing seven-minute Q&A is found on the AutoHunter YouTube channel. In the video, Joe discusses how he went down the rabbit hole of researching his Jeep’s backstory, as well as how he has worked to document and preserve that provenance for events like FCCS. He even ordered a replica Michigan license plate to mirror the one the Grand Cherokee wore during its press days.
Known for its on- and off-road capabilities, well-appointed interiors, and vast trim options, the Grand Cherokee has been a popular mid-sized sport-utility vehicle for over 30 years now. Jeep Grand Cherokees produced between 2011 and 2022 were part of the “WK2” generation. While the vehicle carried forward its steel unibody underpinnings from prior years, it received a four-wheel independent suspension and was said to have a significant increase in torsional rigidity (therefore offering a smoother, quieter ride).
The high-end Summit trim level for the WK2 came with generous luxury upgrades in the form of Nappa leather door trim, a premium steering wheel, wood trim, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, 20-inch wheels, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Of course, no Jeep would be complete without some off-road credentials. With that in mind, the vehicle came with a Selec-Terrain traction-management system as well as a Quadra-Lift air suspension with adjustable ride height. At $62,775, it was an expensive vehicle in its segment, and Joe has a copy of the window sticker documenting his Jeep’s equipment.
While still respecting the Grand Cherokee’s overall originality, Joe did invest in a few upgrades in his Grand Cherokee like an SRT vented hood, a cat-back exhaust system (with quad tips from a Grand Cherokee Track Hawk), custom exterior badging, a dash camera, and Husky all-weather floor liners. Best of all, Joe is instilling his automotive passion with his newborn son – the baby’s first ride was in the Grand Cherokee, so there is already an added sense of sentimental value in the vehicle. Thanks, Joe, for carrying forward the car-collector hobby to the next generation!
