John Belushi's lost Jeep had become a bit of a unicorn for collectors but this car hunter managed to bag it
Published on Jul 22, 2025 at 1:19 PM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Jul 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Some cars are rare, others are legendary, but John Belushi’s lost Jeep CJ was something else – a unicorn collectors could only dream of finding.
For years, it was the stuff of rumor and dead-end leads.
But now, after a long hunt, one determined car hunter has finally tracked it down.
And the find was worth every mile.
VISIT SBX CARS – View live supercar auctions powered by Supercar Blondie
John Belushi’s lost Jeep CJ finally resurfaces
Dennis Collins has built a reputation for tracking down some of the rarest and most unusual vehicles in the US. But even for him, John Belushi’s lost Jeep was different – more myth than metal.
For over a decade, it was tucked away in a private garage in Connecticut, hidden from view.
Most people assumed it had vanished. It hadn’t been started in years, and few even knew where it was.
Collins followed a trail of leads, eventually connecting with someone who knew Belushi’s widow, Judith.
That opened the door.
After years of trying to close the deal, he flew out, made it handshake-official, and loaded the Jeep CJ onto a trailer for the long drive back to Texas.
The vehicle itself is a 1980 Jeep CJ, V8 manual, finished in factory black.
According to those close to the family, Belushi and Dan Aykroyd bought a matching pair.
This one came with some unusual touches – chrome wheels, rocker moldings, and a grille that doesn’t quite match its base-model trim.
Odds are, the actor used his status to special-order a unique spec. John Belushi’s lost Jeep might look simple, but it’s anything but ordinary.
It’s also far from pristine.
The body’s seen better days, the floors are rusted out, and saltwater may have taken a toll on the frame.
Still, Collins doesn’t plan a full-blown restoration – he wants to recommission the Jeep while keeping its worn-in character intact.
A unicorn find from one of Hollywood’s wildest icons
John Belushi was loud, wild, and impossible to ignore. His Jeep isn’t subtle, either.
Even after sitting still for years, it still carries traces of its first owner. Stickers on the rear window are believed to be originals. The drivetrain is untouched. The interior, though faded, feels like a time capsule.
Collins knows this is more than a cool old 4×4. It’s a piece of pop culture history.
He’s now on the hunt for photos of Belushi or Aykroyd with the Jeep – and he’s offering a finder’s fee for anyone who can help prove its backstory.
He’s hunted celebrity cars before – including the elusive Jim Morrison Shelby – but this one’s personal.
It took years to find. Years to confirm. And now, finally, it’s back in the open.
After decades in hiding, this Jeep CJ is ready for a new chapter.
It’s rough around the edges, no doubt. But it’s the real thing – and that counts for more than showroom shine.
This wasn’t just a barn find. It was a ghost story.
And now John Belushi’s lost Jeep has been brought back to life.
Subscribe to Dennis Collins’ YouTube channel for updates, or watch the video below:
Click the star icon next to supercarblondie.com in Google Search to stay ahead of the curve of the latest and greatest supercars, hypercars, and ground-breaking technology.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
Molly Davidson is a Junior Content Writer at Supercar Blondie. Based in Melbourne, she holds a double Bachelor’s degree in Arts/Law from Swinburne University and a Master’s of Writing and Publishing from RMIT. Molly has contributed to a range of magazines and journals, developing a strong interest in lifestyle and car news content. When she’s not writing, she’s spending quality time with her rescue English staffy, Boof.
