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Parmley Engineering’s Jeep Replacement Body

• CATEGORIES: Features, Magazine, Old News Articles • TAGS: , , , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Zac shared a Parmley that he inherited along with a document that shows some pricing and states it was designed for the 81″ chassis.

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Originally posted in 2013, with some pic updates over the years:

As many of you know, I am very curious about the fiberglass aftermarket bodies made for the jeep.  While I’ve seen most models for sale over the years, I have yet to run across Parmley Engineering’s fiberglass body, one of the more unique ones ever created.

After wrecking his CJ-5 in the early 1970s, Californian Tom Parmley, a machinist by trade, decided to build himself a better body for his still-good chassis.  He wanted the body to legally accommodate  wider tires, a dash box with more room, a hood that was lower, and other features.  So, he built and tested his dream body with great success.  Along the way, he received so much positive feedback that he created a kit so others could easily install a Parmley body on their CJ-5 Chassis.

So far, I have only located two resources that document this body.  One is the February 1974 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine, which featured a multi-page article about the new body.  Additionally, at least two issues of Four Wheeler Magazine also have ads for the Parmley body kit.  The other resource is a June 1975 Popular Mechanics article.  The Pop-Mech article also shows off the fiberglass top he invented (at least I assume it is fiberglass).

Here are a couple publicity photos taken by Tom Parley and published in the Feb 1974 issue of Four Wheeler:

1974-02-four-wheeler-parmely1-lores 1974-02-four-wheeler-parmely2-lores 1974-02-four-wheeler-parmely3-lores

This image shows the Parmley with a top and is from Popular Mechanics.  Note the top example sports Desert Dogs …

1975-06-pg11-parmley-fiberglass-cj5-body

Here is a Parmley-bodied jeep on the cover of a the May 1978 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine.

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This Parmley Engineering ad appeared on the back of January 1974 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine:

1974-01-fourwheeler-parmley-ad-backcover-lores

Bob Christy wasn’t sure what this vehicle was when he photographed it in 2008, but now we know.

bob-parmley-jeep-ohio

This Parmely sold in 2015 and included a rare top:

parmley-bodied-jeep-lores

This one sold in 2017:

1970-cj5-parmley-loveland-co3

This one sold in 2022:

parmely-jeep-body2

 
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Parmley Project Loveland, CO **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  **SOLD** Was on eBay.

“For Sale. 1970 Parmley Jeep Body. THIS AUCTION IS FOR THE BODY, TOP, DOORS, AND ANYTHING ELSE PERTAINING TO THE BODY (Chassis not Included). I will consider selling the Chassis and drivetrain.

This body has had one owner since it was new till recent years. The Jeep was never been finished just stored away since the 70’s. Its in excellent shape. There is no damage at all except a spot where the hood fell and chipped the gel coat. Original Decal on Drivers Side. Door frames are included but have never had upholstery on them. This would make a really cool Old School Jeep.”

1970-cj5-parmley-loveland-co3

1970-cj5-parmley-loveland-co4

1970-cj5-parmley-loveland-co9

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