The Willys-Overland Jeepster definitely goes under the “Quirky Misfire” category. I remember the first one I saw as a kid back in the early ’60s. The front end looked like a Jeep, but the rest of it, a 2-door, six passenger Phaeton convertible with no roll-up windows, would’ve fit in at my uncle’s summer place on the James River in Virginia. Teenagers (and several underage drivers) would putt around the river neighborhood in old “Beach Buggies” as we called them, to haul kids, rafts, and other stuff down to the swimming area and boat ramp. Fun times and great memories of a bygone era. Willys-Overland’s civilian Jeep “sports car” experiment only lasted three models years, 1948 – 1950, and didn’t sell very well with just a little over 19,000 units assembled at the historic Toledo, Ohio factory. Here’s a fine looking example of one of the approximately 2,960 1949 models produced (year two saw quite a drop from the 10,326 Jeepsters sold in 1948) that’s located in my little old town of Lewisville, North Carolina, population 13,400. The price has been dropped from $23,500 to $16,500 or best offer and it’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace.
The seller, who is selling this Jeepster for his brother-in-law, doesn’t give us a lot of details or history of the vehicle. He simply describes it as having an older restoration that’s in driver condition. It’s a looker based on the few photographs provided. Although buyers could choose from 17 paint options for the 1949 models, it seems like the majority you see today are either red or the Fiesta Yellow seen here. The paint looks very presentable and I’m not seeing any rust or body damage. The shiny chrome bumpers, trim, “continental” rear spare, and two-piece windshield and vent windows look good. Plus, the cool WO-logo hubcaps and wheel rings, and period-correct wide whitewalls complete the charming visual package. The seller says the Jeepster has a new convertible top and snap-on side curtain “windows,” but no photos are shown.
Jeepster interiors were rather simple and utilitarian (except for that large, beautiful, and somewhat ornate large steering wheel.) The Fiesta Yellow paint theme is continued on the metal dash and the black upholstery with yellow piping is very eye catching. I’m not spotting any splits, tears, or overly-worn areas in the front or rear seats.
There are no photos of the Jeepster’s engine. It’s probably the World War II-proven 134-cubic-inch straight-4 “Go Devil” engine. It is rated at 63 horsepower and mated to a 3-speed three-on-the-tree manual transmission with overdrive. There are 81,000 listed on the odometer, but no mention if those are original miles or not. The seller says the “Engine runs well and the transmission shifts smoothly.” Although designed by legendary industrial designer Brooks Stevens, the rear-wheel drive Jeepster was about the same price as a more practical Ford Super DeLuxe Club Convertible that came with fancier styling, roll-up windows, and a V8 engine. With such a low production number, you don’t see many of these 1949 Jeepsters at local car shows or cruise ins. This is one great-looking “Fair Weather – and Fun” set of wheels. What do you think?
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