Most people associate the Jeep brand with small, off-road vehicles that date back to World War II. But did you know that Willys Motors and Kaiser-Jeep were also in the delivery van business? They built the little FJ Fleetvan from 1961 to 1975 and the U.S. Postal Service may have been their biggest customer. This example from 1963 looks to have been a USPS van (right-hand drive), converted for peddling ice cream to the kiddies. Located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, this rolling bread box is available here on eBay. The current bid is $3,350 and the reserve is unmet. Another fine tip from Russell Glantz!
The FJ Fleetvan wasn’t Jeep’s first vehicle of this nature. It was based on the DJ-3A Dispatcher, but the F-134 “Hurricane” inline-4 was the engine of choice in this later product. Both short- and long-wheelbase models were built, and the seller’s delivery is the stubby one. Though a 3-speed manual transmission was standard, a Borg-Warner automatic was offered and that’s what may be in this unit. Postal models had horizontal vs. vertical slats in the grille, a further nod to its original service.
We’re told this Fleetvan is an original, but the green paint isn’t likely something the mail guys would have ordered. Yet the green paint extends to the interior as well. The artwork on the sides indicates the type of work this van last did, but there wouldn’t be a lot of room inside for both a cooler and a generator to run the cooler, but I guess it could be done.
The seller says this Jeep runs, drives, and stops, but is concerned that the suspension and brakes are ready for regular use. The mileage is 54,000 and that could be legit as these types of vehicles were used in the short haul. Has either the engine or transmission been rebuilt due to a lot of low-speed use, but we don’t know. Yet this product of those fine folks out of Toledo, Ohio, looks ready to get back to work.
The Wyoming license plate is from Campbell County (Gillette), and looks like this Jeep was last registered in 2012. Wish the seller would have provided more than just minimal information. Could be one of those “labor of love” kinds of projects.
Wow. Saw this, and thought I saw a new video on the YouTube channel called “Wheelie Yellow”. The channel has cameras strategically placed on the ground and in a small RC car that is like the shape of this Jeep, only in white. Animated mouth on a small stuffed Banana that rides in the van as he talks about his adventures Stupid fun to occasionally watch…or just stupid. Funny how a vehicle can fire the ‘ol brain in certain ways…
Would you have bought sno-cones out of this thing? Looks like a “stranger danger” van.
Wasn’t a thing then.
“Hey little girl want some snow-cones”?
Looks like a oil pressure gauge or a compression gauge in the engine pictures.
Studebaker also made a “zip van” in the 60’s simular to this. Used primarily by the USPS and had one of the Studebaker 6’s in it.
Speaking of “oddball” Jeeps, seeing this reminds me of the cabover pickup that Jeep marketed for a few years. Would like to see one of those!
several co.s were makin these thru out the 20’s -early 60s. I like this one due to the dash long vent under the windshield & auto transmis. I prefer the ability to drive from the stand-up (they can usually also B driven from sitting). The back could use a barn door style opener. I’d lengthen DS w/a carrier bering & have WB minimum 110. ( need that for combo work van/house. Must have a dedicated bathroom/shower and long enuff for a nock down chop saw stand for items 10 ft long to B shaped.