Jeepsters are some of the most visually-unique vehicles out there. A 1970 Hurst Jeepster is that and then some, and there is a darn good reason that we don’t see them very often….only 100 were made, and only 65 or so are accounted for on the Registry. All that said, this 1970 just might prove to be among the rarest of the rare. Props to reader Roger for finding it for sale here on craigslist near Truckee, California.
A skeptic’s eye will immediately catch certain things and research them – and in my humble opinion, one would be wise to do so before making any purchase that includes claims of rarity. I’ll admit, I am far from an expert on Jeeps, so I checked a couple of sources and, as far as I can tell, it appears to check out. Two years ago, Four Wheeler magazine featured a 1970 that has been owned by the same couple for about 40 years, and its features seem to check out with this one.
The seller of this machine tells us a few things and offers us 17 photos to help tell the tale. We can see a Buick engine and Hurst-shifted automatic transmission, as well as some replacement parts. We’re told that the engine has been rebuilt, it has a few new bits, and the seller admits that this car needs to go to someone with the know-how and means to finish it properly.
In my opinion, this thing might be the real deal. If so, it’s probably worth every penny. What say you, good people of the Automotive community?
I’ve said this before, but bears repeating. I don’t use the words “Holy Grail” for many vehicles, but if there ever was a vehicle that fit those words, it’s this. A shame this person can’t finish it. Just resonates through the hobby today, you need deep pockets, and this person ran out of funds. If you have money for these things, this would probably be your best investment and thanks to this persons misfortune, it, like the IH pickup, is already half done. That’s the sad part, good people with good intentions can’t finish it.
Did these come with a buick V6? I’ve only seen one before, and I can’t recall.
I bet Richard Rawlings friend Dennis would be interested in this one.
Dennis has a YouTube channel that features many of the cars he buys and sells. He does high volume in older Jeeps, as well as other special interest vehicles, it looks like he turns over way more cars than Richard Rawlings. He sometime places WTB ads on this site, I’ve also seem some of his listing on here as well.
Steve R
Putting a 260 in an Alpine is cool. Putting a 289 in an Ace is cool. Putting a flat-six in a 914 is cool. Putting a hemi in some barge is cool. Putting a 427 in a Fairlane is cool. Putting a rotary in a 616 (or whatever it was) is cool.
I don’t understand why putting a crappy Buick V6 and an automatic transmission in a Jeep is noteworthy.
In one episode Gas Monkey bought a house with a bunch of derelict cars included. One of em was a JEEP like this one and he sold it off to buddy Dennis.
I’m no expert on these either, but the Buick 225 “Dauntless” was in some certain Jeeps. Some were known as “odd fire” and some were normal. We have a friend’s Jeep in our shop with a “normal” 225, and IMO, they’re great little engines.
I have always thought one of these would make the most awesome tow vehicle for my 69 SC/Rambler Hurst race car.I have a project 68 Commando,perhaps this paint scheme and scoop, rather than the Orange over denim ,I had been thinking of ?
It has the 225 odd fire Buick V6 in it. I have a friend in NC what has like 6 of the 100 Jeepster Commandos Hurst limited addition models at one time. Jeepster’s are rust buckets, rocker panels were the first to go and then the tail gate.
One problem with Jeepster Commandos was the poor serial number records. I use to collect the serial numbers to try to find how many were built each year by knowing the last serial number per year. Problem was that they started the new models in like Sept. of the year before. So a 1972 would be released in Sept. 1971 year. Quite a messed up numbering system. I finally quit tracking them and sold my Jeepsters to my friend in NC and got out of the hobby.
My name is Don and I co keeper of the Hurst registry. It takes two of us to agree before we document a Hurst jeepster registry. We also both own Hurst Jeepsters. Here’s what we know. Production was May-Aug 1970. We have one April 1970 we think may have been the prototype. To date we have 108 documented, 5 of those were junked. 66% of the 108 were TH 400 automatics, the rest have 3 speed t-14s. Some of the characteristics we look for when we have a new find is paint, paint stripes under the cowl vent), dual gate shifter, interior codes, build dates, firewall markings, automatic or 3 speed in our established vin ranges roof rack, hood (deflector on the underside), hoop scoop, hood tach ad Hurst emblems.
Our vin range (last 5 digits) is 67897 to 70035. We have no idea how many were produced, we do know it was more than 100. A few years back we stopped using the term “only 100 produced” to “only around 100 survivors”
To answer some of the other questions/comments, Most all 1966-1971 Jeepsters came with Dauntless 225 motors and all of those were odd fire (sorry no normal v-6). The only other motor found in Jeepster was the 4 cylinder Hurricane. When AMC bought Kiaser Jeep, they sold the V-6 motor tooling back to Buick, they started making an odd fire 231 and in late 1977 changed to a even fire 231
Hope this helps