WELCOME… TO JURASSIC JEEP

From Bond’s DB5 to Croker’s Cooper S, an automotive big-screen debut can be the making of a legend. While you probably won’t find the Jeep Wrangler at the top of the most iconic movie car lists, Jeep’s marketing team weren’t shy of product placement following the launch of the first generation YJ model. Appearances in Roadhouse, CB4 and Clueless had practically earned the Wrangler its own dressing room by the mid-1990s – but arguably the most iconic of all is its appearance in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park.

The Wrangler’s role in the sci-fi action thriller clearly left a lasting impression on Kyle Lees, who has spent the last two years carefully crafting a tribute to the Jeeps seen in the movie with a little help from his dad. While many classics can put a smile on your face, Kyle’s Jurassic Jeep often has passers-by grinning from ear to ear.

“My favourite moment with the car has to be at a Jurassic Park-themed campsite in Devon,” begins Kyle. “I had about thirty people dressed as dinosaurs, chasing the Jeep across the field we were camping on - that must be the most amusing and my favourite encounter so far.”

Moments like this must make the effort worthwhile for Kyle, who ‘spared no expense’ creating the faithful replica from a standard 1995 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4.0 litre project car.

“When I bought it, it already had some major welding work on the chassis,” notes Kyle. “Mechanically it was fine, and the chassis was in good condition apart from a bit of surface rust. The biggest challenge was finding replacement parts, as even reproduction items are hard to find. There aren’t many right-hand drive YJ Wranglers left in the wild and most parts were sourced from America, which of course means import duties and delivery charges.”

The project has been a labour of love for Kyle, who had plans for a Jurassic Park replica from the very beginning. The soft top, roof-mounted search lights, fog lamps and upgraded suspension were added during the build process, as well as a non-functional winch which houses a Bluetooth speaker. The rare Sahara seats and alloy wheels were added as finishing touches, creating a near-perfect replica that wouldn’t look out of place in Spielberg’s studio.

The Wrangler has been fantastically reliable throughout ownership, with the only downside being the running costs associated with a thirsty 4.0-litre petrol – though Kyle says the larger unit is the pick of the Wrangler range.

“My advice to potential owners would be to hold out for the 4.0-litre model because it has a much stronger engine and gearbox than the 2.5-litre. The average MPG figure doesn’t vary much between the two, either. I would also look out for common corrosion areas as these cars have a lot of areas where water can be trapped, both inside and outside.”

With the project now complete, Kyle plans to carry on enjoying the Wrangler on regular camping trips. Kyle tells us his dream classic would be a replica of Ecto-1, the 1959 Cadillac Ambulance as seen in Ghostbusters – though he’s happy behind the wheel of the Jurassic Jeep for now.

Jurassic Park replica or otherwise, the first-generation Wrangler remains a great choice for those on the hunt for a capable off-roader. Find a good example of the YJ Jeep and it’ll always be a classic worth saving from extinction.