Willys-Overland Jeepster

The Jeepster is an automobile originally produced by Willys-Overland Motors from 1948 until 1950.Template:Sfn It was developed to fill a gap in the company's product line, crossing over from their "utilitarian" proto SUVs and trucks to the passenger automobile market.

The Jeepster initially included numerous deluxe features and interior fittings in addition to a high level of standard equipment that cost extra on other automobiles. A total of almost 20,000 were manufactured.

The Jeepster name was revived in 1966 on a new model, the C-101 Jeepster Commando.

Background

After World War II, Jeep trademark owner, Willys (pronounced "WILL-iss"), began producing and marketing the "CJ" (for Civilian Jeep) to farmers, foresters, and others with similar utilitarian needs. The company also began producing the Jeep Wagon/Panel Utility/Pick-up in 1946,Template:Sfn and the Jeep Truck in 1947.Template:Sfn

Seeing a gap in their product lineup, Willys developed the Jeepster to crossover from their "utilitarian" trucks to the passenger automobile market. It was to expand its Jeep work truck focus and thus broaden Willys' customer base.Template:Sfn The new sporty rear-wheel-drive-only model was to have a "dual personality for city and country driving" and marketing emphasized it as "America's greatest value in sports cars!"Template:Sfn

Willys-Overland lacked the machinery to form deep-drawn fenders or complicated shapes, so the vehicle had to use a simple and slab-sided design.Template:Sfn Industrial designer Brooks Stevens styled a line of postwar vehicles for Willys using a common platform that included the Jeep pickup and station wagon, as well as a sporty two-door open car that he envisioned as a sports car for veterans of World War II.Template:Sfn

The Willys-Overland Jeepster ("VJ" internally) was introduced in April 1948,Template:Sfn and produced through 1950.Template:Sfn Some leftover models were sold under the 1951 model year.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

1948

File:1948 Willys Jeepster.jpg

1948 Willys Jeepster.

File:49 Willys Overland Jeepster (9124008905).jpg

1949 Jeepster standard Continental kit

File:1949 Willys Jeepster in pastel aqua at 2019 AACA Hershey meet 7of8.jpg

1949 Jeepster interior

File:50 Willys Jeepster (9123813492).jpg

1950 Jeepster

The basic 1948 Jeepster included numerous deluxe features and interior fittings in addition to a high level of standard equipment that cost extra on other automobiles. These included, among many others, whitewall tires, hubcaps with bright trim rings, sun visors, deluxe steering wheel, wind wings, locking glovebox, cigar lighter, and continental tire with fabric cover. The Jeepster had Willys' World War II-proven Template:Convert straight-4 "Go Devil" engine, and plastic side curtains, but its US$1,765 price was about the same as a Ford Super DeLuxe Club convertible with roll-down windows, fancier styling, and a V8 engine.Template:Sfn

The car was only offered with rear-wheel drive, thus limiting its appeal to typical Jeep customers.Template:Sfn Its distinctive boxy styling and performance were praised by automotive journalists. However, the Jeepster did not catch on with the intended market segment. Sales were also limited by sparse advertising and an insufficient dealer network.

The Jeepster's I-4 engine was rated at Template:Convert and coupled to a Borg-Warner T-96 3-speed manual transmission with an overdrive unit as standard. The Planadyne single transverse leaf spring independent front suspension, entire drivetrain, front end, rear suspension, steering, and four-wheel drum brakes were from the Willys Station Wagon.Template:Sfn The flat-topped rear fenders were taken from the Jeep truck line.Template:Sfn

1949

The 1949 Jeepster began production with a one-model/one-engine offering. The price was lowered to $1,495, with some previously standard features returning as extra-cost options. Toward the middle of the year, an additional model was introduced, the VJ3-6, powered by Willys' new L148 Lightning I-6 engine.

1950

File:1950 Willys Jeepster in red (Montauk Fire Commissioner), front left.jpg

1950 Willys Jeepster in red (Montauk Fire Commissioner), front left

The 1950 model year featured the VJ-3 Jeepster's first styling revisions that included a new instrument panel and redesigned front end featuring a V-shaped grille with horizontal chrome trim.Template:Sfn A new model was introduced with reduced standard equipment at a lower price.

Willys' L161 Lightning six-cylinder was offered in addition to the standard Go Devil four-cylinder engine.

Model designations were dependent on production timeframe, with early 1950s four-cylinder Jeepsters given VJ-3 463 and six-cylinders VJ-3 663, changed to VJ-473 and VJ-673, respectively, for later year vehicles.

Engines

• 1948-1950 - L134 Go Devil I4 — Template:ConvertTemplate:Sfn
• 1949-1950 - L148 Lightning I6 —Template:ConvertTemplate:Sfn
• 1950 - F134 Hurricane I4 —Template:ConvertTemplate:Sfn
• 1950 - L161 Lightning I6 —Template:ConvertTemplate:Sfn

Epilogue

The Jeepster's problems in the marketplace were its limited utility and practicality.Template:Sfn It also looks rugged and off-road capable, but is not.Template:Sfn Appeal is limited due to the basic construction, poor all-weather protection, and the low performance when equipped with the I-4 engine.Template:Sfn Even with an optional six-cylinder engine and offering the VJ3 version at a lower price, the Jeepsters did not draw many new buyers due to three factors: a relatively high price, low performance, and the lack of roll-up door windows.Template:Sfn

Model year sales:

• 1948 - 10,326
• 1949 - 2,960
• 1950 - 5,836

A total of 19,132 Jeepsters were produced.Template:Sfn

Revival

The Jeepster name was revived by Kaiser for the 1967 model year as the C-101 Jeepster Commando. The new version included roll-up door windows, a V6 engine, four-wheel-drive, and was available as a pickup truck, convertible, and station wagon, in addition to the roadster. American Motors Corporation (AMC) purchased Kaiser's Jeep utility-vehicle operations in 1970 to complement its existing passenger-car business. The Jeepster was reengineered to use AMC engines (Template:Convert or Template:Convert I6, or the Template:Convert V8). The Jeepster name was removed after 1971. For the 1972 model year, the wheelbase was extended and a facelift featured a unique full-width grille. Production of the Commando ended in 1973 in favor of the full-sized SJ Cherokee that was introduced for the 1974 model year.

See also

• Willys Jeep
• Kaiser Motors

References

• Template:Cite magazine
• Template:Cite magazine

External links

• Template:Imcdb vehicle
• Willys Overland Jeepster Club
• Hurst Jeepster Pages
• Jeepster History
• Midstates Jeepster Association
• Jeepster clubsTemplate:Dead link