Jeep Jeepster

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1948 Willys VJ Jeepster
1948 Willys VJ Jeepster

The Jeepster was an automobile sold under the Jeep marque. The original Jeepster, introduced by Willys-Overland in 1948, failed to find a market and was soon dropped. The Jeepster name was revived in 1966 on a new model, the C-101 Jeepster Commando. Once again, sales failed to meet expectations, and American Motors (AMC) (successor to Willys-Overland) removed the Jeepster name for 1972 and halted production after 1973.

Contents

[edit] VJ

The original Jeepster ("VJ" internally) was produced from 1948 through 1950, although some leftover models were sold under the 1951 model year. 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 as well as producing the new Jeep Wagon in 1946, and then the Jeep Truck in 1947. Realizing a gap in their product line up, Willys developed the Jeepster to crossover from their "utilitarian" type truck vehicles, to the passenger automobile market. The car (from 1948 to 1950) was originally only offered with rear-wheel drive, limiting its appeal with traditional Jeep fans. While its distinctive boxy styling (created by industrial designer Brooks Stevens) was a hit with critics, it did not catch on with the intended market segment. Sales were also limited by sparse advertising. In the end, 19,132 original VJ Jeepsters were produced (1948 - 10,326; 1949 - 2,960; 1950 - 5,836).[1]

The VJ Jeepster was powered by the 62 hp (53 kW) "Go Devil" engine, a 134 CID (2.2 L) straight-4 also used in the CJ. A 3-speed manual transmission with optional overdrive was used, as were drum brakes all around. The vehicle's front end and single transverse leaf spring suspension, was from the Willys Station Wagon, as was the rear driveline. The flat-topped rear fenders were copied from the Jeep truck line, as were the pair of longitudinal rear leaf springs.

Engines:

[edit] C101

Well-used 1971 Jeepster
Well-used 1971 Jeepster

The Jeepster was revived in 1966 in the form of the Jeepster Commando ("C101"). The F-head Hurricane straight-4 was used (a direct descendant of the original Go Devil engine) and four-wheel drive was finally added. This engine produced 75 hp (55 kW) at 4000 rpm and 114 ft·lbf (154 N·m) at 2000 rpm. The 160 hp (119 kW) Dauntless V6 was optional and preferred with its 235 ft·lbf (318 N·m) of torque. 57,350 Kaiser-spec "C101" Jeepster Commandos were sold between 1966 and 1971.

There are several unique body styles of the Jeepster Commando: Station wagon/SUV, Convertible, Pickup, and roadster. One unusual offering was the deluxe station wagon, with sliding rear windows and full interior trim. In rare cases, these models were finished with a two-tone exterior. The Hurst Jeepster - with its custom shifter, exterior graphics, and tachometer on the hood - is possibly the scarcest model of all production Jeeps. The convertible came in three types: Revival Jeepster, Commando convertible, and an open body roadster with no top at all. The Revival Jeepster was the showcase vehicle of the fleet, offering deluxe interior appointments, powered convertible top, and a Continental tire kit. The Commando convertible offered the same body with just the basic finish and equipment.

Engines:

  • 1966-1971 - F134 Hurricane I4 —134.2 CID (2,199 cc)[1], 75 hp (55 kW) and 114 ft·lbf (154 N·m)
  • 1966-1971 - Dauntless 225 V6—225.3 CID (3,692 cc), 3.75 in (95 mm) bore, 3.40 in (86 mm) stroke, 160 hp (119 kW) and 235 ft·lbf (318 N·m)[2]

[edit] C104

1972 Jeep Commando (C104)
1972 Jeep Commando (C104)

The Jeepster name was removed after 1971, but the model remained in production for two more years as the Jeep Commando. In 1972, it received a "conventional" full-width grille (see picture). The Commando had one of three AMC engines, the 232 CID (3.8 L) or 258 CID (4.2 L) AMC Straight-6 or 304 CID (5.0 L) AMC V8. 20,223 AMC-spec "C104" Jeep Commandos were made in 1972 and 1973.

Engines:

  • 1971-1972 - AMC 232 I6— 231.91 CID (3,800.3 cc)[3], 3.750 in (95.3 mm) bore, 3.500 in (88.9 mm) stroke, 100 hp (74 kW) and 185 ft·lbf (250 N·m)[4]
  • 1971-1972 - AMC 258 I6—258.08 CID (4,229.2 cc)[3], 3.750 in (95.3 mm) bore, 3.895 in (98.9 mm) stroke[4]
  • 1971-1972 - AMC–304 V8—303.92 CID (4,980.3 cc)[3], 3.750 in (95.3 mm) bore, 3.753 in (95.3 mm) stroke[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Matar, George. "1948-1951 Jeepster" Hemmings Classic Car - December 1, 2005 retrieved on October 24, 2007.
  2. ^ Jeep Engine Dauntless: Buick 225 V6. Jeep tech. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  3. ^ a b c Engine application chart. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
  4. ^ a b c General Engine Specifications. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.

[edit] External links

[edit] See Also

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Jeep, A subsidiary of Chrysler LLC, road vehicle timeline, 1945–present
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Traditional CJ-2A CJ-3A CJ-3B CJ-7/8 Wrangler YJ Wrangler TJ Wrangler JK
CJ-5/6
CJ-10 LJ
Dispatcher DJ-3A DJ-5/6
Crossover FJ-3/3A Compass MK
Patriot MK
Compact SUV VJ C101 C104 Cherokee/Wagoneer XJ Liberty KJ Liberty KK
SUV Wagoneer/Cherokee SJ G Wagoneer G Cherokee ZJ G Cherokee WJ G Cherokee WK
Willys Jeep Wagon Commander XK
Pickup Willys Jeep Truck Comanche MJ
Gladiator Honcho/J10-20 Series
Truck Forward Control
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