With the Southern California sun shining throughout this holiday season, Playboy Drives is back with another one-of-a-kind vehicle impression. Traveling all the way from Austin, Texas, the 1988 Vigilante Hellcat Redeye Grand Wagoneer is here to spread cheer far and wide.
Vigilante — a premier automotive builder that specializes in restomodding vintage Jeeps — has been hard at work this year. It’s evident in its handcraftmanship with the Santa Claus-red Wagoneer, which is sure to evoke reactions, memories and fantasies. What’s your pleasure?
Joseph Anderson and Dan Weikel at IBP Media — one of Greater Los Angeles’ top promotions agencies for elite brands — introduced Playboy to Vigilante founder & lead designer, Daniel van Doveren. Along with van Doveren and Playboy social producer Kimberly Hinojosa, we fired up this fully restored 4×4 Jeep and headed for Mulholland Highway like Ol’ St. Nick on the big night.
’88 Vigilante Hellcat Redeye Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Aesthetics
The first physical aspect you’ll notice is the wood-grain paneling trimmed around the vehicle. This rugged, yet refined look pairs beautifully with the red coat of paint. The whole vibe offers wonderful nostalgia, as anyone from the late 1980s and ’90s can attest to. For a cherry on top, the chrome detailing on the bumpers, windshields, badges, 17-inch wheels and roof rack is immaculate.
Read More — Playboy Prints: Deck the Halls With Sexy Holiday Covers
A noted difference from the original Wagoneers is how propped up Vigilante’s sits, and I love it.
“Modern-day SUVs tend to stand up pretty high, so Vigilante made sure that we lifted this [Wagoneer] more aggressively while allowing drivers a nice view. With our updated suspension, brakes, and bigger wheels, Vigilante is committed to bringing legendary Grand Wagoneers back on the road with everything drivers need to enjoy them,” van Doveren explained.
If interior design is your niche, then you’ll absolutely love this Grand Wagoneer. The Moore & Giles leather upholstery dazzles in a complementary beige color. Borrowing a detail from Rolls-Royce, this Jeep’s floor mats and carpets are made from lambskin. Also, the electric seats and automatic safety belts function exactly as I remember from its “sunset stretch” 30 years ago—very charming!
Van Doveren was sure to call attention to Vigilante’s fantastic work with the dashboard and entertainment system. It holds the vintage appearance unbelievably well while maintaining user-friendly Bluetooth capabilities. Genuinely, the setting was perfect to blast “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses.
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer has a legacy dating back to 1963. It is considered the father of modern American SUVs by many in the automotive community, and this Vigilante vehicle is a boisterous reminder. Simply, one of the most classic Jeeps ever was just revamped in a major way.
Performance
There’s no two ways about it. This 6.2L Hemi Hellcat Redeye-powered hotrod (starting at 807 horsepower) can blow by just about anything on the interstate. One committed press of the gas pedal, and you’ll understand that.
When attempted live, this Hellcat Redeye Wagoneer reached 60 MPH in just 3.7 seconds. I can’t say it was an official timing via precise recording instruments, but it sure was fun! A vociferous roar ensued, and off we went, fiercely dashing through the Santa Monica Mountains.
“With Vigilante’s extensive experience in the world of vintage Jeep restoration, our company is one of the few that has the expertise to seamlessly integrate an engine of this caliber into a vintage Wagoneer, perfectly pairing together the power with authentic style,” van Doveren stated as we buzzed along.
Although Vigilante also offers a Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual trans, the Bowler 4L80E four-speed automatic version was our escort on this day. Of course, the Grand Wagoneer did not disappoint, shifting smoothly and on time regardless of aggression.
The undercarriage is where Vigilante truly showcases their skills. They start by redeveloping the chassis themselves, ensuring both durability and suitability for modern driving.
From there, weight is optimally distributed to all four corners of the vehicle thanks to the Atlas-II transfer case and Dana 44/Dana 60 Currie Enterprise axles. That allows this Jeep to handle even the curviest roads at high velocity. To aid the effort, a 4-link Eibach coil suspension combined with Fox Racing shocks keeps everything rolling smooth upstairs.
They are proud of the frame here. The Hellcat Redeye Wagoneer exhibits 717 lbs/ft of torque, and you are able to utilize every bit of it. With trademark 4×4 capabilities, this marvel of engineering can eat up dunes and mountainside just as easily as paved roads.
Read More: Playboy Drives: 2025 NAEV Cyber Hummer
For Interested Buyers
Vigilante’s exclusive custom 1988 Jeep Hellcat Redeye Grand Wagoneer is currently listed for purchase at $385,000. Interested buyers — or those looking to inquire on a custom Vigilante commission — should head to www.vigilante4x4.com for more information.
Find more of our auto stories here.
