Type Early Crossover Production 1948–1950 Designer Brooks Stevens | Manufacturer Willys-Overland Motors Assembly Toledo, Ohio | |
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Body style 2-door phaeton/convertible | ||
The Jeepster was an automobile originally produced by Willys-Overland Motors from 1948 to 1950. It was the last phaeton produced by a major automaker.
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The Jeepster name was revived in 1966 on a new model, the C-101 Jeepster Commando. American Motors (AMC), Willys-Overland's successor, removed Jeepster from the name for 1972, ending production after 1973.
Background
After World War II, Jeep trademark owner, Willys, believed that the market for the military-type Jeep would be limited to farmers and foresters, therefore they began producing the "CJ" (or Civilian Jeep) to fill this growing segment. Willys began producing the Jeep Wagon and the Panel Utility in 1946, and the Jeep Truck in 1947.
Seeing a gap in their product lineup, Willys developed the Jeepster to crossover from their "utilitarian" trucks to the passenger automobile market. Willys-Overland lacked the machinery to form deep-drawn fenders or complicated shapes, so the vehicle had to use a simple and slab-sided design. Industrial designer Brooks Stevens styled a line of postwar vehicles for Willys using a common platform that included the Jeep pickup and station wagon, as well as a sporty two-door open car that he envisioned as a sports car for veterans of World War II.
The Willys-Overland Jeepster ("VJ" internally) was introduced in April 1948, and produced through 1950. Some leftover models were sold under the 1951 model year.
1948
The basic 1948 Jeepster included numerous deluxe features and interior fittings in addition to a high level of standard equipment that cost extra on other automobiles. These included, among many others, whitewall tires, hubcaps with bright trim rings, sun visors, deluxe steering wheel, wind wings, locking glovebox, cigar lighter, as well a continental tire with a fabric cover. The Jeepster had a 4-cylinder engine and plastic side curtains, but its $1,765 price was about the same as a Ford Super DeLuxe club convertible with roll-down windows, as well as fancier styling and a V8 engine.
The car was only offered with rear-wheel drive, thus limiting its appeal with other Jeep customers. Its distinctive boxy styling and performance were praised by automotive journalists. However, the Jeepster did not catch on with the intended market segment. Sales were also limited by sparse advertising and an insufficient dealer network.
The VJ-2 Jeepster was powered by the 134.2 cu in (2.2 L) straight-4 "Go Devil" engine, which gave 63 hp (47 kW; 64 PS) through a 3-speed manual transmission with standard overdrive. The Planadyne independent front suspension, based on a single transverse leaf spring, was from the Willys Station Wagon, as were the entire drivetrain, front end, rear suspension, steering, and four-wheel drum brakes. The flat-topped rear fenders were taken from the Jeep truck line.
1949
The 1949 Jeepster began production with a one-model/one-engine offering. The price was lowered to $1,495, with some previously standard features returning as extra-cost options. Toward the middle of the year, an additional model was introduced, the VJ3-6, powered by a new six-cylinder engine.
1950
The VJ-3 Jeepster had very little standard equipment. This time there were two engines offered, changing the Jeepster's designations to VJ-3 4-63 for the four-cylinder and VJ-3 6-63 for the Lightning-equipped six-cylinder.
The 1950 model year saw the first styling revisions that included a new instrument panel and a redesigned front end featuring a V-shaped grille with horizontal chrome trim. New engines and designations dependent on what part of the year it was. Early 1950s four-cylinder Jeepsters were VJ-3 463, and the straight-six Jeepsters were VJ-3 663. The later-year Jeepsters were VJ-473 and VJ-673, respectively.
Engines
Production
A grand total of 19,132 original VJ Jeepsters were produced over three model years: