Most off-road enthusiasts will tell you that the toughest, most rugged thing in the wild is a Jeep. They may add that the legendary Jeep was the first real "backroads beast". While the former is a matter of opinion and the latter is open to subjective interpretation, we propose that all of that changed roughly 30 years ago when Universal Pictures released the first "Jurassic Park", cinematically reintroducing dinosaurs to the modern world. Even the most die-hard Jeep fanatic will acknowledge that it is always best to yield the right-of-way to a T-Rex. And there's certainly no doubt about who was here first.
However, Jeep aficionados are quick to point out that when Universal needed to identify a vehicle with some true "jungle cred" to go head-to-head with T-Rex, Velociraptors, and an assortment of other jurassic giants, it was Jeep that got the role.
The History of Dinosaurs and Jeeps
We're talking about their history together, not separately. Covering the history of each could take a bit more time and space than this blog.
Back in 1993 — not quite prehistoric times, but roughly three decades ago — it was a 1992 Jeep Wrangler that allowed Dr. Ian Malcom to narrowly escape the menacing dinosaurs of Isla Nublar. Dinosaurs and Jeeps have repeatedly joined forces to provide action and suspense, showcasing Jeep's nimble and utilitarian characteristics. Now, in its seventh iteration, the Jurassic Park franchise will, once again, rely heavily on Jeep to supply some action; no stunt vehicles necessary.
In the newest movie, "Jurassic World Dominion", one of Jeep's newest entries into the adventure vehicle scene, the Gladiator, joins the Wrangler and other cast members to entertain movie goers. But the vehicular star of the show is the vintage 1989 Grand Wagoneer, immediately reminding true adventure vehicle enthusiasts that Jeep has been there since the beginning. (The beginning of adventure vehicles, not dinosaurs). This appearance is timely, if not coincidental, because Jeep enthusiasts are celebrating the recent re-release of the esteemed Grand Wagoneer with the All-New 2022 Grand Wagoneer. While visually reminiscent of the Grand Wagoneer that was first introduced to the public in 1962 — a full 60 years ago — this re-envisioning of America's first premium SUV takes Jeep into an entirely new category with respect to size and luxury. Nothing prehistoric about its high-tech amenities, either.
Celebrating the Relationship
Getting back to dinosaurs, the Jeep x Jurassic matchup is once again being extended into TV commercials for joint marketing efforts. Back in 2018, Jeep ran a commercial during the Super Bowl that celebrated one of the more suspenseful scenes from the original "Jurassic Park" movie, where Dr. Malcom (Jeff Goldblum) and his companions use a 1992 Wrangler Sahara edition Jeep to outrun an enraged Tyrannosaurus Rex. Fast forward to 2022 and Jeep furthers its bond with dinosaurs during a 1-minute commercial starring a baby T-Rex and Jeep's all-new Wrangler 4xe, a hybrid electric 4x4 which Jeep describes as "the first electrified open-air SUV". For trivia buffs, be aware that this particular baby T-Rex was created specifically for the Jeep commercial and does not appear in the film.
Where Are the Original Stars of "Jurassic Park"
To clarify, we're referring to the original Jeeps that starred in the first "Jurassic Park" movie; we'll leave it to People Magazine to keep you posted on human celebrities. As for the Jeeps, it seems Jurassic Park fans and car collectors across the world have wondered what became of the actual Jeep (or Jeeps) in the first film and where they could see them. Some even want to acquire one. It turns out that there were actually five Wrangler "units" that appeared in the film, modified for production purposes. They shared the same distinctive paint job and Jurassic Park emblem on the doors that identified them as research team vehicles on Isla Nublar. While there are a number of replicas running around, the actual Jeeps used in the movie were reportedly retained by Universal Pictures and spend the majority of their time in private collections. Those occasionally make it into museum exhibits and car shows, but we are not aware of any in public circulation. We have read that "Unit 12" is on display in the Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios in Florida and that "Unit 10" can be seen at Universal Studios, Hollywood. No guarantees those vehicles are still on display at those locations, but we're sharing what we've heard. Probably the easiest opportunity to see one is in the newly released "Jurassic World: Dominion".
"I Want My Own Jurassic Jeep!"
Now that's pretty easy. Just come see us at Hilltop Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Richmond's Hilltop Auto Plaza and we'll happily review the entire line-up of 2022 and 2023 Jeep models, from the ever-popular Jeep Wrangler, all the way to the new, top-of-the-line Grand Wagoneer. And we would be very excited to talk about our new hybrid electric options, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and the Grand Cherokee 4xe. Once you've selected the best Jeep for you, then it's just a matter of applying some Jurassic Park-inspired vinyl graphics and off you go to star in your own epic adventure. We look forward to seeing soon!
Hilltop Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
Serving the East Bay Area for decades, Hilltop Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Richmond, California, offers a great selection of New cars, SUVs, trucks and vans, and high-quality Pre-Owned vehicles. And when it comes time for your next Jeep or Dodge service, trust the experienced, factory-trained Jeep and Dodge service technicians at the Hilltop Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Service Center in Richmond, California, conveniently located in the Hilltop Auto Mall.