“You’ve come a long way baby” a certain cigarette advertisement once proclaimed. But I’m not talkin’ smokes here, I mean Jeeps. From its utilitarian-military origins to six-figure over-wrought Grand Wagoneers, Jeep has covered a lot of middle ground along the way with unique vehicles such as this 1950 Willys-Overland Jeepster. Located in Butler, Pennsylvania, Ted found the listing for this “rare cruiser” as the seller suggests. It looks pretty good, so I’m interested, I hope you are too.
Similar in architecture to the Jeep utility wagon and pickup truck, the Jeepster, introduced in ’48, was a departure from the typical military Jeep. Though it was still an open-body style, or convertible, it carried more car-like body features. In existence for only three years (’48-’50), total production was just under 20K units. Our subject Jeepster presents quite nicely for what the seller claims is a barn find. The description for this 80K mile example is a bit light but the images provide a decent description. The black finish is still strong, the convertible top shows as being sound and the chrome plating is fair revealing typical age and usage wear. The body panels appear to be straight and there’s no evidence of rust, rot, or structural weakness.
Jeepsters came equipped with both four and six-cylinder engines and our subject is in possession of a 75 HP, 161 CI, in-line, flathead six-cylinder engine. The seller suggests, “Runs and drivers great (for what it is).” This Jeepster, actually all of them, had two-wheel-drive-only capability, and a three-speed manual transmission makes the rear wheel connection. Repairs include, “a new head gasket, new brake master cylinder, new fuel pump, and more!” Reliability is one of this Jeep’s claimed attributes.
The interior is a basic black vinyl upholstered arrangement and from what’s photographed, it looks good. It’s not stated but it’s easy to imagine that the upholstery has been replaced at some point as it shows as being quite stout for having experienced three-quarters of a century of existence – undoubtedly some of it in top-down mode. The instrument panel is a spartan affair with a radio mounted to the left of the steering column – a placement seen on some other vehicles (’69 full-size Ford) but not many. Of note, there are no side roll-up windows on a Jeepster.
So, appealing? Probably to a Jeep or Willys-Overland aficionado but it’s likely to be limited beyond that. Jeepsters have been criticized for a lack of power and its two-wheel-only drivetrain which belies the vehicle’s go-anywhere projection. But there is a collectability factor involved and I imagine this Jeepster would be a willing, and welcomed participant at a local car show. Interested parties will find it here on Facebook Marketplace where it’s available for $10,000. Jessica Caldwell who manages insights at Edmunds was recently quoted as saying, “Jeep is sort of that rugged, do-anything, go-anywhere, very basic American brand,” she says. “[Now] they’re expensive. They’re flashy and it seems like it’s kind of missing the mark in terms of where people are right now.” Perhaps this Jeepster is a better reflection of what Jeep was and should be, as opposed to what it’s now become and that thought process could bode well for this example, right?
This was Jeep’s “Phaeton” I always liked these, and also the Jeepster Commando of the late 60s with the removable hardtop. Too bad I don’t have $10k lying around, I’d give this old girl a look.
With you on this one, Terrry, remember seeing these new as a kid, liked them then and still do. It’s a configuration that says simplicity with functional “limited” pizzaz. Jeep was able to show “class” built for casual fun when they put out the Jeepster. How about we go 50/50 on this, I’ll consider my $5k and you your $5k and we trade off every week on who can use it?