When Victoria Mann was 14, she came home to find a beige 1983 Jeep Wagoneer parked in her dad’s driveway. At first glance, it looked old and rough. The paint was faded, the upholstery worn, and the headliner was sagging. Victoria thought her dad had brought it home to fix and sell.

Instead, it was her first car — a $2,500 gift.

“My friends think it’s awesome, and they can hear me coming because they know the sound it makes,” Victoria said, now 17. Over the years, her opinion of the Jeep has completely changed.

Victoria and her dad, Brian Mann, spent time gutting the interior and restoring it. He fine-tuned the 360 V8 engine, replaced the suspension, brakes, and steering, and added a six-inch lift kit with 33-inch tires on the original wheels. The total investment reached around $10,000, but the Jeep now drives smoothly, even at highway speeds.

The 1983 Jeep Wagoneer Limited was the first luxury version of the Wagoneer and came loaded with features like cruise control, air conditioning, power windows, a premium audio system, and leather-wrapped steering. Victoria’s restored Wagoneer keeps its classic charm while ditching the fake-wood trim from the original.

Today, Victoria drives proudly, enjoying her unique, roaring V8 and the attention it draws. What started as an “old car” has become her dream ride — a perfect mix of classic style and modern restoration.

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