“Great sport, great style and fun – it’s the go-anywhere, do-anything ‘Jeepster Commando’ station wagon. . .the only wagon if its size to combine V-6 power and Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission options with 4-wheel drive!” So says a 1967 Jeepster Commando brochure. The seller has this example posted here on craigslist in San Francisco, California and they’re asking $20,000 or best offer. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for sending in this tip!
The Jeepster Commando was produced from 1966 for the 1967 model year, until the end of 1973. They were conceived as a sporty but rugged competitor to the recently-introduced Ford Bronco and the International Scout, which had been around for several years. Production ended under AMC’s watch but it started under Kaiser-Jeep’s control. There was an early Jeepster in the late 1940s and it had a somewhat similar look to the “modern” Jeepster.
This is one of the only times I like seeing a Continental Kit spare tire on a vehicle. However, if it’s a factory feature, which this is, that’s a different story. This is cool in my opinion. I also like vinyl tops, so there’s that. The seller talks about a newspaper article written about this Jeepster and its former owner and shows a couple of the pages of the article in the photos, it’s worth reading.
The exterior of this Jeepster looks very nice, with some normal fading (was the hood repainted or buffed?) and the top looks good, etc. The interior really shines in this 4×4. As with the exterior, it isn’t Pebble Beach-ready, but I’m not sure if many Jeepster Commando owners would want a vehicle that they’re afraid to drive. The included article mentions the former owner finding this example and sinking a ton of money into the restoration and that isn’t surprising at all. Once you get going you don’t want to stop. This example has a three-speed automatic transmission, which was a GM-sourced Turbo Hydra-Matic available with the V6.
There are no engine photos and not one mention of the engine in the description or in the attached article, sadly. I believe this example uses a Buick-derived Dauntless 225-cu.in. V6 because of the automatic transmission console shifter shown in the interior photos. The automatic was only available with the V6 in this era. This engine had 160 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque. The seller only mentions that this Jeepster is in “running, as-is condition.” Any thoughts on this Jeepster?
That continental kit won’t do much for the departure angle.
Always liked the look of these, never saw the kit on the back.
Ugly !
Holy Toledo, what a car!
I don’t think the author will mind if I add something, but the Jeepster was the brainchild of Brooks Stevens in 1948. He thought, returning GIs wanted a roadster type vehicle they saw overseas, and banking on the Jeeps WW2 success. They were a flop because apparently, people wanted a “real” Jeep, like the CJ, not a bloated version of one. The originals were crude, underpowered, and didn’t even have 4wd. They were discontinued in 1950(?), but Kaiser resurrected the name in ’67 adding “Commando”. It was actually a more modern vehicle, but still fell short. People that wanted a Jeep, still wanted a CJ, and not much could change that.
Whilst researching the Brooks Stevens schpiel, I read, his “planned obsolescence” was taken out of context by todays meanings. Apparently, he meant, not for car companies to design cars that needed replacement due to shoddy work, but more like, cars had fancier levels and one would trade in their older model for new refreshing ones.
Personally, with my admiration for Jeep, and the offerings of today, makes this a smokin’ deal, one shan’t be disappointed here.
That’s a soft top not a vinyl top
Rw, you are correct, I was just saying that I like vinyl tops, in general, not that this Jeepster has a vinyl top.
I had a 67 just like this, it was empire blue (gm marina blue) 3 spd stick until Sandy came along. I replaced the top during ownership. It was made of Vinyl with a cloth coating on the inside, so technically speaking you were correct
Sandy? Hurricane or spouse?
Nineteen photos in the Craigslist ad but not one of the engine?
learned how to drive a manual in one of these back in the 70s when I was about 13 or 14. Always have a soft spot for them when I see one.
Nice example of a low production Jeep 4657 soft top Jeepster’s
2800 or so of those deluxe versions, power top, little deck lid, spare tire kit.
1770 Austere, models made, longer convertible top, no Continental kit.
Found one recently in Basalt Colorado, parked since ’80.
Maybe 50,000 commandos produced? Not that common, in a sea of Bronco’s
Got two–67 like this one but in blue and white–spare tire prevented use of tailgate (bolted shut) other a 71 both w/turbo 400 and 225 V6–drive the 71 daily, turns lots of heads, makes for great conversations!!