The world of cool, retro delivery vans is bigger than you think, as these compact commercial rigs were made by a wide range of domestic manufacturers. We’re seeing a resurgence of sorts in this market with the arrival of Ram-branded Amazon delivery vehicles and Ford Transit vans, both of which show you can get a durable, flexible hauler with a much smaller footprint than expected. This 1964 Jeep Fleetvan FJ3A is a rarely seen Willys-built van and the seller is asking $20,000 here on craigslist.
$20,000 seems like a strong ask, but I also can’t recall the last time I saw one in the flesh. The Jeep was built by Willys and Kaiser-Jeep and in addition to being sold stateside, it was also built for far longer and in larger quantities (to the current day, no less) by Mahindra. What’s curious is that the Jeep did not sell well in the states but shined in overseas markets. It may be because European countries were far more supportive of a compact delivery van than American consumers at the time, a sentiment that seems to finally be changing here in the U.S. Note the old-school California blue plates.
The seller notes that the Jeep is completely stock and while there is surface rust, it is free from any rot concerns. Of course, it’s been in California for most of its life (or so we assume) and given it’s still on the road, I have to believe it didn’t have a particularly hard life. If you read some of the internet chatter about one of the rarer Jeeps ever made, the consensus is that it wasn’t a big seller largely due to its looks. I find this a little surprising considering no one buys a work truck or delivery van based on appearances, but maybe things were different in the 1960s.
There’s a fascinating diorama of sorts that shows the original DJ Dispatcher “under” the Fleetvan body and basically makes the case that the latter was essentially a Willys Jeep with side panels, a roof, and a different nose. The wheelbase looks almost identical and it’s not hard to believe that a company the likes of Willys wanted to build a new model without rebuilding the mouse trap. I see this Fleetvan as being more desirable to a Jeep enthusiast who has everything versus someone who wants to restore an old work van; what do you think the future holds for this rare Jeep?
Well, it’s has flat tire on the passenger side. I do like the look and it would look cool with some surf boards up top and serving ice cream out the side. Color would be 2 tone Panther Pink & Purple or turn into a little camper and build the motor to get some extra horses out of it!!!!!
No, just no!
My head went a whole different direction when you said ‘bread van’! The pictures were a bit of a let down 🤣
The seller meant alot of bread, $20k, for this overpriced van…
I’d love to have one of these, Put a camper A/C on the roof and ride.
I wanna see someone build this out with a lift and 35s in keeping with Jeep culture. Seems like a project for Whistlin Diesel.
I’d fix it up real nice and take it to my next class reunion.
Ha, who’s the dork now!!?!
I think it looks good as is,but needs a little up grade. rebuild motor,upgrade ac,
maybe rims,& power steering.
So much for compact delivery vans becoming popular in the US:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/cc-newsstand/curbside-newsstand-the-compact-van-market-evaporates/
A Cummins 4bt? 4cyl diesel would be great in this, lower it paint it up like a USPS van with U.S. Male on it.
Interesting. What is the present engine? I can’t tell what kind of room there is for a larger one.
At first glance I thought it looked like a Studebaker Postal Zip Van.
yes, similar. I remember when seeing these a yr or 2 ago @ my willys forum “FJ” “hey! that’s the Toy LC’s model number.” They made an even shorter version of this Fleetvan.
Postal, ice cream, laundry, bread, B2B in urban areas as I grew up… I would NOT go the 4bt – heavy, backjump technology (wrong direction) but current like a direct inject, turboed i4 or a lill vedub diesel (1.9 ALH TDI).
All looks (visual appeal) I think this could haul the race car on open trailer (aluma trailer tilt) and would wanna repower and get one of those “ZF 6HP” 6 speed autos…