The 1971 Jeepster Hurst Edition seems like a pretty rare bird. According to the seller, you are looking at one of only 65 known survivors! Although they seem to be exceedingly rare, we featured one here on Barn Finds about a year ago along with others in the past. This one can be found here on craigslist with an asking price of $25,000, which is near the top of the market. Now located in Longview, Washington, based on the paperwork, it appears this one was sold new in Colorado and looks like it’s in fantastic condition. Let’s inspect it a little closer and thanks to Ikey H. for the tip on this rare Jeepster!
Here is what the fuss is about…You can see the side of the shifter reads “HURST.” According to multiple sources, the Jeepster Commando Hurst Edition was supposed to be a run of 500, but in reality, there were around 100 produced. The seller says according to “The National Jeepster Hurst Registry” there are only 65 still known to exist.
The standard engine for the Hurst Edition was the “Dauntless” V6. According to Hemmings, the powerplant was good for 160 horsepower and 235 ft.lbs. of torque. They go on to say “…the Jeepster’s curb weight is only around 3,000 pounds, so acceleration is good…The GM-designed V-6 is perfectly comfortable at highway speeds, so it’s possible to drive to out-of-state meets.” The seller doesn’t say too much about the mechanical condition other than it runs and drives great for its original state. By looking under the hood you can tell the alternator and battery are fairly new and it appears to be a driver-quality engine compartment.
The interior is very clean and comfortable looking. You can see the tachometer molded into the hood scoop. I’m not sure if that is a necessary performance item given the automatic transmission, but I guess it adds to the overall performance vibe of a Hurst edition. If this was my Jeep, I would definitely drive it with the top off. This thing would look great with some surfboards or SUP’s sticking out of the back.
Here you can see a shot of the Jeepster with the top on. The suspension has been lifted and it has been outfitted with all-terrain tires along with new front end and steering components. Overall, this looks like a fun and unique ride. I’m not sure if the seller will get their asking price, but this is certainly a nice example. If there are truly only 65 left, this may be the best one! What do you think?
You know, the words “Holy Grail” have been thrown around a lot lately, but to Jeep fanatics, like me, THIS is the Holy Grail of Jeeps. Never saw’r one, not even at the AMC reunion. It’s really nothing special, a fancy looking Commando, but the low production certainly qualifies it as rare. Commando is one of my favorite Jeeps, that V6, one of the best V6’s made, went on to power some neat vehicles and the color scheme screams USA!! Out of my league, but worth every nickel.
IMHO, the Jeep Holy Grail is really two Jeep models: the Commando Hurst Edition and the 82 Jeep Jamboree. There were 412 Jamborees. Most were gold. There were 27 in white. Of the 27 in white, there were only 5 with automatic transmissions. Mine is one of them.
Very cool, but I think I’d rather have a 72 SC/2 with the V8.
This thing is very cool, but can someone please explain the appeal of a Hurst shifter in a vehicle like this? I always believed that they were primarily for drag racing with an automatic transmission.
Pure fluff. In case you weren’t around then, car makers tried in vain to “out fluff” the others. In the 70’s, there was no bigger name than Hurst. As shown, a mere decal and shifter could potentially add thousands to some run of the mill vehicle. Didn’t pan out that way, as most people who knew nothing about floor shifters couldn’t justify the extra cost and these “specialty” vehicles fell from the scene. If I’m not mistaken, this is the same shifter as the Hurst “His and Hers” from Pontiac, which was equally as hoaky.
Hurts shifter makes me think stick shift, old jeeps make me think stick shift. This is nice looking but automatic. Seems weird for a tough rough go anywhere 4×4 to me.
Details from wiki:
The 1971 Hurst Jeepster built with modifications by Hurst Performance is possibly the scarcest model of all production Jeeps.[1] Standard equipment included a Champagne White exterior with red and blue stripes, a roof rack, a sports steering wheel, and Goodyear G70 x 15 raised white letter tires mounted on wider steel wheels. Hurst equipment included special exterior insignia, an 8,000-rpm tachometer on the back of the hood scoop in the driver’s line of sight, as well as a Hurst T-handle shifter on manual-transmission cars or a console-mounted Hurst Dual-Gate shifter with the optional automatic transmission.[1
I own 1 ,mine has the stick Hurst shifter only 10 were made that way
Only other one I’ve seen was at museum in Texas
This Land Cruiser guy thinks that is one fine looking rig
These still remind me of US Postal vehicles.
65 left makes it desirable? There are less than 10 54 Nash Ambassador Custom Country Club Lemans on the planet. They are rarer than a supercharged Duesenbrrg J. Restoration update: the Mighty DUALJETFIRE engine is rebuilt, and has factory specified oil pressure! I hope to test fire the engine before the end of the month.
Note: the rarest Nash is the 54 Statesman Country Club. There are only 2 of them on the internet, one red, one turquoise. Both are single carb flatheads. Theoretically you could get POWERFLYTE twin carbs on one, but I’ve only seen 1 4 door with the twin carb flathead.
I am a lover of Jeepster Commandos! I bought a 1971 one year old when I moved to Colorado in 1972. It is one tough hombre. I have taken it through many streams, drowned it in a lake, bashed it against rocks, and rolled it over twice. It took a lickin but kept on ticken.
I couldn;t bare to see it crushed so I did a conplete frame off restoration. It won a major ‘all show’ prize in the Jeepster reunion in reno nevada many years ago, and after that became garage furniture. Too pretty to bash. Here is what she looks like today. Dang, I can’t paste her picture!
The BF Honchos have restricted photo posts to those who have member status only.
I’d love to see a photo of your Jeepster.
These were hype when new (the Hurst Commando) including right now. I wouldn’t say it is the Holy Grail at all since it is all stock to begin with. including the six cylinder under hood. It is a white Jeep with stripes a few badges and a Hurst shifter.
They have been around in fact I missed bidding on one on ebay five years ago and sold for $2300. running and driving. Now with the Jeep craze going on Jeep life what ever its called everything Jeep now carries a big price tag today. Especially anything old.
I would personally not get caught up in the Hurst hype. It isn’t like there is an SC/R 390 under the hood to signify Hurst Performance. If wanting a nice Commando you could actually use and trail ride just get a stock one. After AMC took over you could get a 304 in 72/73 which is the better choice.
but they ruined it with that awful wide grill!! The old “jeep” grill on 67-71’s looked much better!!
Nash Ambassador Custom Country Club Lemans Jeepster Commando Hurst Edition. WHAT?
Very cool jeep indeed!! I just sold my last jeep a week ago!! I really don’t miss it!! It was an 02 with a four cylinder!! Sent the computer out three times for rebuild!! I’m glad it’s gone!!
provance, past ownership, history, rarity – for some reason none of those interest me.
Now if itsa jeep? the CJ8! now THAT one attracts my attention.
1st & 2nd gen comandos are interesting but the Scrambler (258ci) would B sompin I’d wanna own, drive, rest0mod, etc
fozbuzz
We called the pre-72 73 grill the military grill. I believe Jeep has a patent on grills with vericle slats. But maybe someone else has also heard that.
Not quite…
GM popped out with the Hummer H2, and many thought it was a Jeep when they saw one, because of the grill….
There was a lawsuit, and GM won it.
Nice!
I prefer my 70 Commando.
Currently working on a 68 Jeepster with hydraulic top. It may win me over.
Great posts!
Does anyone know where this jeep is now. Due to the low number of them being built, I believe that my Dad was the original owner. Any help locating it would be greatly appreciated.
My Dad purchased one new out of Colorado Springs which I’m trying to find. It appears that only 80 were automatics. What transmission does yours have. Do you know if yours was sold new out of Colorado. Dad didn’t sell his until around 1975. I found an ad from 2020 and the owner believed it was sold out of Colorado. I’m just trying to determine how many of the 80/100 were sold new out of Colorado. Any info you can provide may help me in my search.