There’s something about old trucks with removable roofs and island communities that just goes hand in hand. If you’ve ever spent time in any of these places, be it Florida, the Outer Banks, the Oregon coast, and so on, you’ll likely see more than a few old trucks like this Willys Jeepster or a Toyota 4Runner or squarebody Blazer residing in front of a beach front cottage or mansion. The Jeepster shown here was recently removed from decades of storage, and the seller notes it was previously a familiar sight around Cape Cod in Massachusetts, soaking in the summer rays. Find it here on eBay with bids to $2,325 and the reserve unmet.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find. The Jeepster is one of those classic models that remains fairly attainable in terms of price while still delivering buckets of charm and personality owing to its pleasing appearance and soft-top truck body. The seller confirms this one has been hidden away in storage for quite some time, which helps explain its impressive condition despite residing in New England. Apparently, all of those trips to the beach didn’t result in salt spray working its way into the body panels. The soft top may be weathered but it looks to still be largely intact.
The dashboard reflects the same style as the outside, painted to match the exterior paint and laden with simple gauges and a naked steering column. The seller calls this Willys “all original” and “one family owned”, which are two buzzwords as it relates to barn finds that we love to hear. The seller also claims the Jeepster has low miles, which would seemingly indicate the 48,159 on the odometer is accurate (or, at least we hope its verifiable in some way.) Certainly, the condition is nice enough to suggest that it hasn’t racked up much in the way of mileage; in fact, you could argue this really was a seasonable vehicle and never used as a daily.
The seller doesn’t say much about the mechanical health but these durable six-cylinder engines were known to take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. In prepping it for sale, the seller went through “….(the) brakes, fuel system, new fuel pump and tank, new period tires and hubcaps, and ignition system.” It’s of little surprise that’s all the Jeepster needed to fire up once more, and the clean condition should drive a respectable final sale price. I sold one of these out of the north Georgia barn find property and the buyer has since transformed it into a beautifully-restored machine; this one should be mechanically refreshed but leave that awesome period paint job alone.
Barely cracking $2GRAND?? Still think I’m nuts? ( go ahead) This,,I’m practically speechless( YAY, aw, shush) Like the Nash convertible, see what’s happening here folks? This is an incredible find, ANY Willys/Jeep fan would love to have it, me included, yet,,I don’t think I can make it any clearer, the hobby is beginning to tank.
This was another Brooks Stevens creation, also conceived from returning GIs that wanted a roadster. This has the preferred 6 AND O/D, what’s not to like? Sorry, just bums me out nobody wants it, but on the plus side, maybe soon, we can afford this hobby again after all. Biggest deterrent here? The manual. The interest reflected by the price, tells me, the stick, like the Nash, is an instant deal breaker for many today, and the ones that CAN still use their legs, are fading fast. Its my biggest regret with my Jeep, is it’s not an automatic. Fantastic find, kind of makes up for the 5 and 6 figure postings. I only hope someone doesn’t think it’s a 4wd,,hey, don’t laugh, remember the Jeep Dispatcher story?
Not me. It’s a Willys and a sort-of Jeep (Jeepster was its model name) but this one just leaves me cold. It’s not a car; it’s not a truck; it’s not an off-road vehicle; and it’s less useful than any of those others.
In its favor, the primitive drivetrain was decidedly bulletproof. The chassis is mostly the same as the Willys Station Wagon (called a ‘Jeep’ in Willys-speak when given 4wd) which was not only durable, but timeless (made until 1964). The beam front axle ensured there wouldn’t be alignment issues from potholes.
Yet, the lack of windows; the primitive roof; the heavy weight; the generally gawky styling, when compared to British sports cars and later the Thunderbird and Corvette…just left it a car in search of a market.
Interestingly, Willys, renamed Kaiser Jeep, resurrected the concept, with FAR better proportions, glass windows, and a choice of roofs…to create the Jeepster/Jeepster Commando, in 1966. Time was still not right, and the styling was still not what buyers wanted, but my own feeling was, if AMC had kept it in production past 1973, and avoided putting the Bronco-like nose on it from 1972…it might have finally discovered a market. Perhaps as long as the SJ Wagoneer ran.
The SUV market was dependent on things that hadn’t come to be, yet.
This one? The island is probably the best place, the only place, it would be practical. Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, Put-In-Bay, or one of the Washington State islands. Otherwise…it’s probably not going to be much of a draw even at car shows.
With 3 days to go it’s at $6100.
Apparently 19 bids prove a couple people want it.
The hobby isn’t dead or on life support, sure there’s going to be an adjustment but these and many other orphan vehicles are still very desirable…
Not suitable for a low rider
My Dad have one of these when I was growing up. It had a black top and side curtains. He was a teacher and drove it everyday to and from the school, 1950 until he sold it in 1970.
I’ve seen these converted to four wheel drive with a V8, they make a neat off-road / cruiser vehicle.
I sold a ’51 Jeepster last year in “neighborhood show” (not perfect) condition for around 18K. The Jeepster shown here needs a top and side “windows” for starters plus general refurbishment. It’s up to $6800 now.
I agree that these vehicles are of limited use. I put only about a thousand miles on mine but it was a great runner and moved out OK with the overdrive.
I like it and it’s a buy at 10K or under in today’s market IMHO. I also have a unexplainable attraction to the automotive eclectic. This Jeepster certainly fits the category. I think that there are desirable driver quality collector vehicles at reasonable prices still to be found. I’m not throwing dirt on the hobby yet. I actually believe that some of the Barrett Jackson fever is waning. Or maybe that’s just hopeful thinking. And that’s my two cents worth.
yes, JusPassin, the multi-purpose doesnt do anything well but does alota things (my 1st gen bronk example). I perfer oe so a buncha bolt ins would be out for me Ron. Just get the ’66/73 instead (not a bad idea either).
Here isa (near?) “classic” (in my definition) more so when looked at for the history surrounding the manafacturing/purchasing. 4 once I side w/HA (since’14) and say “It was a car for its time.” W/a better top, sit in the driver’s seat’n grab the wheel. Look at the dash, Y… even… take a drive and experience (w/open mind) what it might have been for orig purchaser (not “boy this POS, it doesnt have xxx, it doesnt…”). Appreciate for what it was~
I C the rear seat but not the step-ins mounted near fender, some other bits’n pieces missing but this would suffice (needs to stay below 10K$) for a foray into the post war merican experience for some.
Ended at $9,850, Reserve Not Met.