I had a 1967 jeepster commando , v6 auto, I paid $1500 , had 67 K miles, it was very light and lots of torque.
full roll cage, lifted 5 inches, big 15 balloon tire, it would never get stuck.
the top could be un bolted, to make it a convertible, took the back seat out I sleep and camp in the back.
took it to Old Mexico a couple times in the sierras. remote areas with no roads, it was narrow so it could go thru tight spots,
no problem going thru the desert, in sand, or rocky areas, took many trips to borrego.
back in those days no restrictions, or very little.