If you think about a Willys Jeepster in modern terms, it’s really the first, or one of the first, SUVs. Instead of mimicking a jacked-up station wagon the way most modern SUVs do, the Jeepster was designed to look more like a passenger car, one with a convertible top. Offered for three years, 1948-1950 and realizing total production of about 19K units, our subject car today is a final year version. It’s clearly a driver but still presents pretty well. Located in Newport News, Virginia, this Jeepster is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $5,900 with eleven bids tendered so far.
The seller tells us, “this Jeepster is in super solid condition …” and that does appear to be the case. There are nicks and scratches, along with mismatched and faded paint but considering that this Willys is three years short of three-quarters of a century, I’d say it has done pretty well. The seller adds, “The top is still soft and in great shape with no holes or tears, the back window seam needs to be redone after (the) plastic rear window is cleaned or replaced. **This Jeep has been kept inside out of the weather, no water leaks or water leak smell whatsoever. **ALL CHROME is present and in great shape…” The trim rings minus a center cap look, along with the lone black wall tire, throws off the exterior vibe but I’m really nit-picking.
Power is provided by a 63 HP, 134 CI, in-line four-cylinder “Go Devil” engine which the seller claims, “runs excellent and the oil pressure is also excellent“. It is further stated that the fuel tank needs a cleaning and the brakes aren’t the best though the problem may be just the master cylinder. Gearbox doings are the result of a three-speed manual transmission with O/D.
Interiors of Jeeps of this generation, and for many years after, are minimalist environments and this Jeepster is no exception. The seller tells us that the seats are in their “found condition” and they surprisingly look fine – ditto the dash and instrument panel. The only item really showing wear is the steering wheel as 72 years of grippin’ and untold mileage (the reading is 82K miles) have worn off some of the visually observed finish and probably more wear would be revealed by removing the laced-on cover. Of note is the carpeting, an upgrade over the original rubber mat.
There you have it, an SUV before anyone really knew what an SUV was. And, it has the “Jeep” name which is tough to deny in popularity these days. While this example is far from perfect or show car status, its ready-to-use character, once those brakes get looked at, makes this one to consider for beach trips or just general just jivin’ around, wouldn’t you agree?
I always thought these were neat. There was a frame with a 6 banger and tranny from one parked where a barn used to be a couple of miles away. The owner was clearing out his toys and I wondered what the deal was. I never found out and that was probably 25 years ago. Nice to see a clean one. They rusted to dust here in the Northeast.
Being a big fan of “FFW”s, naturally I always thought these were pretty cool,,,for 1950. I think it would be more accurate to say the 4×4 wagon was the 1st SUV, by definition. These were aimed at a more sporty crowd, being a drop top. Couple things, while the O/D is appealing, remember, 63 hp in a 3500 lb vehicle, it may not have the grunt to hold speed in O/D. Besides, I think these 2wd used a funky front suspension, and there’s a reason that steering wheel is all worn, driver griping it for dear life. Brakes too, don’t get me wrong, for putt-putting down Lollypop Lane, be a gas,, I-70, not so much. It’s a super find, any Jeep nut will agree.
Exactly right. These were CARS, not SUVs. That engine is not the Willys Go-Devil – it may (or may not) be the later Hurricane F-Head engine. The original engine was a flathead.
But they didn’t have 4wd; they didn’t have the ground clearance that true Jeeps had. They were roadsters, using design cues taken from the Willys Jeep, and using the same basic frame as the (model name) Station Wagon.
The original “basket-weave” Station Wagon came much closer, as it had a driven front axle and was intended for harder use.
Yep, hard to believe, the nearest competitor for this was the Crosley Hot Shot. Brooks Stevens, the designer of the Jeepster, knew full well, returning GIs, who experienced roadsters overseas, saw there could be a market for this in the states. Willys had plenty of cash from the war efforts and could easily experiment with stuff like this,,for a while. It was pretty clear, the imports were far superior, and the importing began, pretty much sealing the Jeepsters fate. It did make a comeback as a Commando in 1967, but a 4×4 and entirely different market.
Actually, Howard, Willys was not financially healthy. Why, I don’t know – you’re right, they just came out of the war situation, although they split the military contract with Ford (although they supplied engines for both; Ford used the Go-Devil engine, per War Department orders). But Willys had been in bankruptcy before the war; and lacked the money (immediately after cessation) to bring out a car. And it even lacked the stamping equipment able to make the rounded body panels required of “pontoon” era cars of the time.
The Jeepster was a Hail-Mary ploy. Charles Sorenson, head of Willys at the time, saw that while he couldn’t make modern-styled cars, for money and equipment, the Jeep was developing a cult following with returning GIs buying war-surplus MBs. The answer was obvious: The CJ series; the Pickup and Station Wagon (all work vehicles with 4wd), and the roadster, which was styled to make a connection with the Jeep family. And which conveniently used the Station Wagon’s frame, driveline, and front clip.
The later C101 Jeepster/Commando borrowed the style from the original Jeepster, but was a bit smaller – based on the CJ6, using the 6’s frame and axles. And with 4wd.
It was a true proto-SUV, although it could have done better, also. Ground clearance and body panels were not optimal for traversing rocks.
Yeah, this is probably more like the first, or a very early CUV.
JO
This engine is the F134 Hurricane, which is an F Head. The Go Devil is a side valve design. This would have about 75 horsepower.
I’m assuming that you are basing your comment on engine appearance. I’ll admit that I don’t know the visuals but my research indicated that the Go-Devil was used until May of ’50 and then replaced by the Hurricane. That being the case, I went with the former.
JO
First SUV likely the Chevrolet Carryall Suburban.
1939…
Do your history ,I’m not doing it for you, they were supposed to be sports car..
I don’t recall Jim asking for your help, even though the “comments” leaves that wide open, for some reason. I know for a fact, the authors openly welcome corrections and additions, but when you say it like that, suggesting the writers are morons, simply shouldn’t be tolerated here. Oh sure, I can be just as guilty ripping on these sellers for their silly prices, but a much more victimless crime than being gruff to the writers. I view the writers as our friends, please, aim your sights elsewhere.
Thx Howard! I’m used to getting snotty comments from those that I would prefer go visit someone else’s website.
JO
Agreed 100%. The writers on this side are true, down to earth car nuts and are very knowledeable. If someone has something of value to add, I am sure they all welcome it. A civil tone is however a must in any discussion, about any subject.
Maybe worth remembering that the first word in “SUV” is “SPORT”.
I wouldn’t say SUV but I would definitely call these Willys Jeepsters the original crossovers
Just saying it’s so easy to get information now days, look up Hemmings history of Jeepster,I apologise for anyone who got there feelings hurt on my previous post.
Nobody got “there feelings hurt“. It’s frustrating when commentators pop off without performing the courtesy of reading the post thoroughly. Specifically, I stated, “Instead of mimicking a jacked-up station wagon the way most modern SUVs do, the Jeepster was designed to look more like a passenger car, one with a convertible top“. Car-enough for you?
JO
In 1963, I dated a girl that received one for sweet 16th, I had a POS 1959 Chevy 6 cly. So I swallowed my macho pride and drove it some on the back roads of the Ozarks, it did surprisingly well. Very little power, but it looked good on her.
Gear box was solid, ride firm, but not rough, good brakes, it was more car than Jeep. I don’t recall any mechanical issues other than a flat tire now and than (Is that mechanical?). The oil and rock roads were tough on even new tires.
I think as these baby boomers and older who know these oldies well, and get older, crankiness just comes as part of the package. Can you imagine being locked in a senior home and the live in help act as their nannies?
🙄🤣 Talk about reverting back to a child mentality!
Sorta like using Imojis
Had a 50 W/6 and OD. restored it aand drove it for 5 yrs. Don’t know why I got rid of it, great car. Only problem in Florida was the rain and the top, got wet a few times W/sidecurtains
In the 1976 to 1978 time frame I worked as a mechanic at a restoration shop in Falls Church, VA. My boss had 2 Jeepsters, a yellow & black version with a Corvette 4 barrel 327 & 4-speed [we called it the bumble bee!]. His other one was a red & black Jeepster with the F-head & O.D. It also had some tacky black vinyl pinstripes all over the car, just like the one here.
The bumble bee was scary-fast to drive. The red one was scary-slow to drive as the brakes were almost non-existent. I have a feeling this is the same red & black car, as the locations are only a few hours away from each other.
I like these all most as much as the 2nd gen (divided by close to 20 yrs) the commando 4WD a 7 yr run, I believe (in 3 issues: p/u, vert & wagon).
Cant tell from pic but seems a spray over w/o prep, just to hide the worse. Parts missing, etc. Would shine this 1 on.
Anybody care to hazard a guess that the real downside of these otherwise appealing beasts was the lack of roll up windows, a virtual must in northern climes. Stevens must certainly have known this hailing from Milwaukee. I met this charming gentleman in ’85 commenting then that since my friend had met Gordon Buehrig that I could now claim parity. It was as if I handed him a million dollars.