Is it a trim package, a CJ-5, or a CJ-6? Well, the answer is yes!In 1961, Kaiser was coming to the realization that it had an image problem. The broader masses believed the Jeep to be a great…vehicle — that is, if you needed to work on the farm, go hunting, or partake in some other industrious activity. To fix this “problem” they decided to introduce a new, more “upscale” version of the CJ-5. So…in 1961, the Tuxedo Park was introduced as a trim package. It is widely believed that these trim packages (Tuxedo Park I, II and III) were offered between 1961-1963, and included chrome add-ons, along with an “Indian Ceramic” steering wheel (in place of the standard black). The seats also received an upgrade to “Black British Calf Grain Vinyl with Indian Ceramic Facings” (Trim Code L-29).
In 1964, Kaiser promoted the Tuxedo Park as it’s own separate model (Tuxedo Park Mark IV) for the CJ-5A and CJ-6A. The Tuxedo Park Mark IV included several options that set it apart from the standard Jeep®. These options included:
- Chrome front bumper
- Chrome hood badges
- Windshield clamp catch
- Chrome drop down license plate holder
- Chrome tail lamps
- Hubcap displaying the “Jeep” emblem
- Column shift
**If you suspect you may have one of these models, check the prefix of your vehicle’s VIN tag. The CJ-5A Tuxedo Park Mark IV has a prefix of “8322″, while the CJ-6A Tuxedo Park Mark IV has a prefix of “8422″.
Unfortunately, this model never gained the popularity that was hoped for, and only approximately 460 of the CJ-6A models were ever produced, making them a rare find for those in the market. If you have a Tuxedo Park Mark IV, it is much more likely that yours is one of the CJ-5A models. While these vehicles did not capture the undivided attention of the masses, they were a valid attempt at becoming something “more” than what Jeep® appeared to be in 1960, and opened the door for other models that were to come…
