We all know how hot the original Ford Bronco is right now, it’s hard to get a barely-usable one for less than $40,000, give or take. For that money, a person can have a jewel box of a Jeepster Commando and that would be my choice. This 1968 Jeepster Commando is posted here on craigslist in Montrose, Colorado and the seller is asking $12,000. Here is the original listing and thanks to Gunter K. for sending in this tip!
If I were making a list of competing SUVs/4x4s from this era, it would be #1) Jeepster Commando, #2) Toyota FJ40, #3) International Scout, #4) Bronco. How about you? There may be others from the late-1960s but those are the four that I think of. This Commando was bought new in Colorado and has been there since it was new. It must be a dry area as it looks incredibly solid after fifty-six years.
The Jeepster Commando came out in 1966 as a 1967 model and they were made until the 1973 model year. After 1971 they were known as the Jeep Commando and a V8 was optional. Make mine an early model like this example and I’d be very happy. With only 58,000 miles, this one is barely broken in.
The 1972 Jeep Commandos received a new egg-crate grille and some new sheet metal so maybe when the Powerball finally hits (crickets) I’ll get one of each. The interior of this ’68 Commando looks good other than some unusual carpet / pads / floor mats and the worn-out seat covers which are most likely covering even more worn-out original seating fabric. The back seat looks pretty good, at least in the seating portion – the surrounding vinyl needs work – and I wish they had an underside photo and one with the rear hatch open.
This Commando has a “Buick Dauntless” 225 cubic-inch V6 with 160 horsepower backed up by a Borg-Warner T86 three-speed manual transmission and floor shifter. This one runs great and the Jeepster has newer tires, a new battery, and rebuilt carb. This sure looks like a winner to me. Are there any Jeepster Commando fans out there?
I’d rather have this than an over-priced/over-hyped Bronco.
I saw one just out of Rocky Mount,VA the other day.
Ford wayyyy overhyped the new Bronco. I have What’s called a pavement princess. 2017 Compass. I know with the right rubber it’d stand tall against the Bronco. No?
Since Scotty brought it up, let’s talk about the new Bronco/Ranger for a second. A news blip came up and said, some owners are reporting these things to be dropping valves at like 1500 miles, toasting the motor. While under warranty, it could take months for repairs. Nice hey? I don’t ever recall a Dauntless V6 dropping a valve.
Again, someone had a Jeep like this for sale near me, also $12g’s, sat on the side of a busy highway for MONTHS, they never did sell it, still sitting in their yard. I like all Jeeps( up to 2005), these never really took hold, I don’t think it was what people wanted in a Jeep, at the time. Today, it’s this vehicles unusualness(?) that’s the attraction. Same old thing, someone showing up in a new Rubicon will be a bit surprised at how crude these still were. “Lock the front hubs, what you talkin’ about,,with a padlock?” Price will drop like a stone.
Jeepster Commandos are the poo poo…
You don’t know what you’re talking about
Had a 71 in the early 90s with the Buick V6 all the CJ guys made fun of me…. I didn’t care this thing had torque out the Wazoo it was a brute, drove it. all summer with the top off stored in my warehouse and when the winter came I wore every jacket I owned and kept driving….miss it
I had a ’69 back in the early 70’s with a four cylinder. Rode better than a CJ5 and was pretty competent in the snow and on fire trails. Four banger left a lot to be desired on the freeway but the V6 has a great reputation. Nice find!
Nice old Jeepster. Proven many times of. It IS BETTER THEN THE NEW FORD BRONCO. It has already taken the trophy away from the Edsel. This Jeepster is alot better vehicle. Then alot of the new over priced junk coming off he assembly line today.
Got one–daily driver 92k actual miles love it!! V6, turbo 400, power steering, added power brakes, a/c
fella brings one to our bronk runs under the power lines. Hasa 3 inch lift I think. Looks good that way and able to stay up w/the 33 inch tire bronk street rigs. When it gets to the bigger bronks, no – but they have some bent8’s and 35s, 38s. U would not expect it to.
Like the look of that lifted comando ’72 w/3.8. I’d go for it if the i6 (258).
translation ???????
I have a 1972 Jeep commando 3 speed with a V8 and the bull nose front end I’m thinking about selling it but you know addresses Mark 3 Phillips 58@gmail.com just past month if you know anybody and we have 39,000 miles on it
I bought a 72 Commando with a V8 in 1974 and I really enjoyed it especially tooling around in the snow in Minnesota. Ended up trading it in on a 76 Jeep CJ-7 with a V8 and 3 speed manual.
Ohhh’OOOHHHH’ohhhh, someone must have grabbed it. Was it one of you?
No I still have the jeep commando
I had two 66 Jeep Commandos with the Buick V6 they took me and my wife anywhere we wanted to go in 1986 Adak Alaska. We had no idea the mileage and I replaced the floors with stainless steel kitchen equipment patina.
Rust buckets to the max BUUT they ran well and all over Mount Moffit and the rest of the volcanic island.
I would love to have another and the house gets paid off this time next year.