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1949 Willys Jeepster - $29,500 - Santa Monica, CA - West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional beautiful older restoration example of this rare 1949 Willys-Overland Jeepster with the 134 cubic inch 4 cylinder flathead engine and 3 speed manual transmission and beautifully presented in a classic 'Tan & Orange' two-tone color paint with all body panels obviously removed, stripped and media blasted prior to painting, new chrome and a gorgeous complimentary Tan color interior with a canvas folding soft top with side curtains and a tonneau cover! The car has a flip forward passenger seat for easy rear entry/exit and striking 13" 'Kelsey Hayes' style wire wheels with whitewall tires and a matching spare wheel!The odometer reads 3,695 miles but the true mileage is unknown. The car has no rust and there are no signs of any previous accidents or rust - these legendary Willys-Overland Jeepsters were only built between 1948-51 and this is one very rare older restored example, one of only 2,960 built in 1949! The vehicle has a very nice tan canvas convertible top and the car will be sold with it's original side curtains and a tonneau cover. All the gauges are working as they should as are the turn signals and lights and the vehicle boasts a factory heater, AM radio and antenna.
This is obviously one especially desirable example of the Willys-Overland Jeepster, which enjoys rare Milestone Status, an honor recognizing historically significant post-war cars from 1945-72 judged in 5 categories; styling, engineering, roadability & performance, innovation and cratftsmanship. A Milestone car must be superior to its contemporaries in at least two categories. The Willys Jeepster was a sprightly touring car with styling by Brook Stevens, a renown designer of amongst others; Harley Davidson motorcycles, the Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk, the Excalibur and the Jeep Wagoneer. Following World War II, Jeep's trademark owner, Willys-Overland, believing that the market for the military-type Jeep would now be limited to farmers, began producing the 'CJ' (or Civilian Jeep) to fill a newly affluent growing market. Willys had begun by producing the Jeep Wagon and the Panel Utility in 1946, and the Jeep Truck in 1947, and seeing a gap in their product lineup for a more 'utilitarian' truck for the passenger marker,developed the 'Jeepster'. Industrial designer Brooks Stevens then styled this line of postwar vehicles for Willys, using a common platform that included the Jeep pickup and station wagon, and culminating in the sporty two-door open Jeepster 'utility vehicle', like this particular model, that he envisioned as a utilitarian sports car for World War II vets and post war families.
The basic 1948 Jeepster included numerous deluxe features and interior fittings in addition to a high level of standard equipment that would cost extra on other automobiles. These included whitewall tires, hubcaps with bright trim rings, sun visors, a deluxe steering wheel, wind wings, a locking glovebox, a cigar lighter and a striking Continental kit for the spare wheel. The Jeepster had a 4-cylinder engine and plastic side curtains yet a very high $1,765 sales price which was about the same as a higly optioned Ford Super DeLuxe Club V8 convertible! The car was only offered with rear-wheel drive despite its rugged Jeep image and yet its distinctive boxy styling and performance were praised by automotive journalists, however sales were 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 through a 3-speed manual transmission with standard overdrive. 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.
This particular example truly has to be seen and driven to be truly appreciated - the engine purrs imperceptibly under the hood and the 3 speed manual transmission shifts smoothly through the gears. The tires are virtually new and the cars paint is of show quality.
Without a doubt you will look long and hard to find a finer example of this beautiful and rare fully restored 1949 Willys-Overland Jeepster, a very rare piece of American motoring history - perfect for the Jeep enthusiast or any classic American car collector!
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