Willys-Overland Jeepster

Last updated

Willys-Overland Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster.jpg
Overview
TypeEarly Crossover/Phaeton
Manufacturer Willys-Overland Motors
Production1948–1950
Assembly Toledo, Ohio
Designer Brooks Stevens
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door phaeton/convertible
Layout FR layout
Related
Powertrain
Engine 134.1 cu in (2.2 L) I4
148.5 cu in (2.4 L) I6
161 cu in (2.6 L) I6
Transmission 3-speed manual with overdrive [1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase 104 in (2,642 mm) [1]
Length174 in (4,420 mm) [2]
Width69 in (1,753 mm) [2]
Height62 in (1,575 mm) [2]
Curb weight 4-cylinder: 2,468 lb (1,119 kg)
(6-cylinder: 2,392 lb (1,085 kg) [3]

The Jeepster is an automobile originally produced by Willys-Overland Motors from 1948 until 1950. [4] 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.

Contents

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-is"), 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, [5] and the Jeep Truck in 1947. [6]

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. [7] 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!" [7]

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. [8] [9] 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 [9] that he envisioned as a sports car for veterans of World War II. [4]

The Willys-Overland Jeepster ("VJ" internally) was introduced in April 1948, [10] and produced through 1950. [11] Some leftover models were sold under the 1951 model year. [11] [12]

1948

1948 Willys Jeepster. 1948 Willys Jeepster.jpg
1948 Willys Jeepster.
1949 Jeepster standard Continental kit 49 Willys Overland Jeepster (9124008905).jpg
1949 Jeepster standard Continental kit
1949 Jeepster interior 1949 Willys Jeepster in pastel aqua at 2019 AACA Hershey meet 7of8.jpg
1949 Jeepster interior
1950 Jeepster 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. [13] The Jeepster had Willys' World War II-proven 134.2 cu in (2.2 L) 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. [4] [14]

The car was only offered with rear-wheel drive, thus limiting its appeal to typical Jeep customers. [11] Its distinctive boxy styling and performance were praised by automotive journalists.[ citation needed ] However, the Jeepster did not catch on with the intended market segment. Sales were also limited by sparse advertising and an insufficient dealer network. [15]

The Jeepster's I-4 engine was rated at 63 hp (47 kW; 64 PS) and coupled to a Borg-Warner T-96 3-speed manual transmission with an overdrive unit as standard. [1] 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. [1] [16] The flat-topped rear fenders were taken from the Jeep truck line. [10]

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. [17]

1950

1950 Willys Jeepster in red (Montauk Fire Commissioner), front left 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. [12] 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. [17]

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. [17]

Engines

Epilogue

The Jeepster's problems in the marketplace were its limited utility and practicality. [18] It also looks rugged and off-road capable, but is not. [18] Appeal is limited due to the basic construction, poor all-weather protection, and the low performance when equipped with the I-4 engine. [18] 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. [7]

Model year sales:

A total of 19,132 Jeepsters were produced. [4]

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. [19] 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 (232 cu in (3.8 L) or 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6, or the 304 cu in (5.0 L) 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. [20] Production of the Commando ended in 1973 in favor of the full-sized SJ Cherokee that was introduced for the 1974 model year. [21]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 1948 Willys Jeepster Introduction
  2. 1 2 3 Brown 1994, p. 236.
  3. "About Willys Vehicles - Jeepster (VJ)". kaiserwillys.com. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Mattar 2012.
  5. Brown 1994, pp. 70, 72.
  6. Brown 1994, p. 74.
  7. 1 2 3 DeMauro 2014.
  8. Brown 1994, pp. 58, 68.
  9. 1 2 1948 Willys Jeepster Development
  10. 1 2 Brown 1994, p. 76.
  11. 1 2 3 Brown 1994, p. 78.
  12. 1 2 Statham 2002, p. 77.
  13. 1948 Willys Jeepster Design Features
  14. "1948 Ford Super Deluxe 2 Door Convertible Prices, Values & Super Deluxe 2 Door Convertible Price Specs". NADA guides. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  15. 1948 Willys Jeepster Reviews
  16. Brown 1994, pp. 68, 70, 76.
  17. 1 2 3 1949-1950 Willys Jeepster
  18. 1 2 3 Peek 2019.
  19. Zyla, Greg (18 October 2019). "Jeepster History and Fun Facts". Auto Round-Up Publications. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  20. Sorokanich, Bob (21 December 2017). "You Must Buy This '72 Jeep Commando, The Least Jeep-Looking Jeep Ever Made". Road and Track. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  21. Tomaine, Bob (1 March 2012). "Feature Restoration 1973 Jeep Commando - AutoRestorer". autorestorer.com. Retrieved 31 December 2023.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeep</span> American automobile brand

Jeep is an American automobile marque, now owned by multi-national corporation Stellantis. Jeep has been part of Chrysler since 1987, when Chrysler acquired the Jeep brand, along with other assets, from their previous owner American Motors Corporation (AMC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overland Automobile</span> Former american car manufacturer

The Overland Automobile Company was an American automobile manufacturer in Toledo, Ohio. It was the founding company of Willys-Overland and one of the earliest mass producers of automobiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaiser Motors</span> US motor vehicle manufacturer

Kaiser Motors Corporation made automobiles at Willow Run, Michigan, United States, from 1945 until 1953. In 1953, Kaiser merged with Willys-Overland to form Willys Motors Incorporated, moving its production operations to the Willys plant at Toledo, Ohio, where the company continued to build automobiles under the Kaiser marque including the Kaiser Darrin until 1955. Their South American operations continued to build passenger cars well up into the 1960s. The company changed its name to Kaiser Jeep Corporation in 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crosley</span> Defunct American motor vehicle manufacturer

Crosley was a small, independent American manufacturer of subcompact cars, bordering on microcars. At first called the Crosley Corporation and later Crosley Motors Incorporated, the Cincinnati, Ohio, firm was active from 1939 to 1952, interrupted by World War II production. Their station wagons were the most popular model, but also offered were sedans, pickups, convertibles, a sports car, and even a tiny jeep-like vehicle. For export, the cars were badged Crosmobile.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buick Special</span> 20th Century entry-level luxury passenger car from Buick

The Buick Special was an automobile produced by Buick. It was usually Buick's lowest-priced model, starting out as a full-size car in 1936 and returning in 1961 as a mid-size. The Special was built for several decades and was offered as a coupe, sedan and later as a station wagon. When GM modernized their entry level products in the 1960s, the Special introduced the modern Buick V6 that became a core engine for GM for several decades and lived on in upgraded form until 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeep CJ</span> Jeep motor vehicle model

The Jeep CJ models are a series and a range of small, open-bodied off-road vehicles and compact pickup trucks, built and sold by several successive incarnations of the Jeep automobile marque from 1945 through 1986. The 1945 Willys "Universal Jeep" was the world's first mass-produced civilian four-wheel drive car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willys Hurricane engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Willys F4-134 Hurricane was an inline-4 F-head piston engine that powered the M38A1 military Jeep in 1952, followed by the famous Jeep CJ in the CJ-3B, CJ-5, and CJ-6 models. It was also used in the Willys 473 and 475 pickups, wagons, and sedan deliveries. It replaced the Willys Go Devil engine that was used in the MB Jeep and other early Jeep-based models like the Jeepster. This engine was also built by Mitsubishi for their license-built Jeep, as well as other applications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaiser Jeep</span> US motor vehicle manufacturer

Kaiser Jeep was the result of the 1953 merger of Kaiser Motors, an independent passenger car maker based in Willow Run, Michigan, with the Toledo, Ohio-based Willys-Overland Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeepster Commando</span> Motor vehicle

The Jeepster Commando is an automobile which was first produced by Kaiser Jeep in 1966 to compete with the International Scout, Toyota Land Cruiser and Ford Bronco. Four different models were available: a pickup truck, convertible, roadster and wagon. The Jeepster remained in production after American Motors Corporation (AMC) bought the Jeep line from Kaiser in 1970. After AMC's acquisition, the Jeepster Commando C101 steadily grew in popularity. In 1972, AMC shortened the vehicle's name to Commando C104, extended the wheelbase to 104", and changed the front-end design to accept the AMC I6 and V8 304ci, similar to the Ford Bronco. The new configuration, formerly an AMC best seller, quickly caused the line to drop in popularity and was taken out of production in 1973; it was replaced with the full size Cherokee. The Jeepster is an ancestor of the modern Jeep family produced by Chrysler.

The Kaiser-Frazer Corporation was an American automobile company. It was founded jointly by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and automobile executive Joseph W. Frazer. In 1947, the company acquired the automotive assets of Graham-Paige, of which Frazer had become president near the end of World War II. Kaiser-Frazer was one of a few US automakers to achieve success after World War II, if only for a few years. Joseph W. Frazer left the company in 1949, replaced as president by Henry's son Edgar F. Kaiser.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willys Go Devil engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Willys L134 is a straight-4 flathead automobile engine that was made famous in the Willys MB and Ford GPW Jeep produced during World War II. It powered nearly all the Jeep vehicles built for the U.S. and Allies. It was later used in a variety of civilian Jeep vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phaeton body</span> Style of open automobile, popular in the early 20th-century

A phaeton is a style of open automobile without any fixed weather protection, which was popular from the 1900s until the 1930s. It is an automotive equivalent of the horse-drawn fast, lightweight phaeton carriage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeep Forward Control</span> Series of pickup trucks made by Jeep

The Jeep Forward Control is a truck that was produced by Willys Motors, later named Kaiser Jeep, from 1956 to 1965. It was also assembled in other international markets. The layout featured a cab over design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Industrias Kaiser Argentina</span> Argentine motor car company

Industrias Kaiser Argentina S.A. was an Argentine automobile manufacturer established in 1956 as a joint venture with Kaiser Motors of the United States. Headquartered in Santa Isabel, Córdoba, the automaker produced a variety of Kaiser Jeep vehicles and American Motors Corporation (AMC) models, including Argentina's most iconic car, the Torino, before partnering with France's Renault, which bought it out in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rambler American</span> Compact car produced by American Motors Corporation

The Rambler American is a compact car that was manufactured by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) between 1958 and 1969. The American was the second incarnation of AMC forerunner Nash Motors' compact Rambler that was introduced in 1950 and marketed after the merger with Hudson Motors under both marques during the 1954 and 1955 model years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry J</span> Motor vehicle

The Henry J is an American automobile built by the Kaiser-Frazer Corporation and named after its chairman, Henry J. Kaiser. Production of six-cylinder models began in their Willow Run factory in Michigan in July 1950, and four-cylinder production started shortly after Labor Day, 1950. The official public introduction was on September 28, 1950. The car was marketed through 1954.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Packard 200</span> Motor vehicle

The Packard 200 was an automobile model produced by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan during model years 1951 and 1952. Models in the 200 designation represented the least expensive Packard model range, on the firm's shortest wheelbase, and least powerful 288 cu in (4.7 L) 8-cylinder in-line engine. It replaced the Packard One-Twenty and the Packard One-Ten, and was renamed the Packard Clipper for the 1953 model year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hudson Commodore</span> Motor vehicle

The Hudson Commodore is an automobile that was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan between 1941 and 1952. During its time in production, the Commodore was the largest and most luxurious Hudson model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willys</span> American car and truck manufacturing company

Willys was a brand name used by Willys–Overland Motors, an American automobile company, founded by John North Willys. It was best known for its design and production of World War II–era military jeeps (MBs), Willys M38 and M38A1 military jeeps as well as civilian versions, and branding the 'jeep' military slang-word into the '(Universal) Jeep' marque.

References