Willys Jeepster, 1949
Willys Jeepster
Willys Jeepster•
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Chassis No.: 91493
Auction: Monterey 2015
Auction date: August 15, 2015
Lot No.: F4
$40,700 | Sold
- Exterior: Red
- Interior: Black
- Two-stage Ferrari red paint
- Black interior with plaid inserts
- 134 CI L head I-4 engine
- 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive
- Engine rebuilt
- Head surfaced new valves and exhaust seats
- Block bored honed and surfaced
- Polished crankshaft
- New piston rings
- Resized connecting rods
- New rod, main, cam bearings and freeze plugs
- All stainless steel polished and bright work re-chromed
- All glass rubber and weather stripping replaced
- New top, carpet and custom upholstery
- Transmission and overdrive rebuilt by ATV MFG in Brush Prairie, Washington
- Steering components replaced: upper and lower bushings, tie rod ends, king pin kit, sector kit, shackle kit, drive shaft ends kit and body mounts
- Instrument panel rebuilt
- Flywheel surfaced
- New clutch and pressure plate
- 27 miles since restoration
World War II set the General Purpose vehicle firmly into the psyche of Americans. Capable and tough as a hammer, Jeeps helped America win the war in more ways than one, and returning G.I.s appreciated the durability their Jeeps provided. This gave Willys-Overland, the owners of the Jeep name and design, a unique opportunity to market Civilian Jeeps (CJs) and Jeep-based wagons and trucks. The idea was a successful one, but the chairman of the board at Willys-Overland thought something was missing. His idea was something more youthful, sporty, comfortable, and fun. Working with industrial designer Brooks Stevens, the VJ, or Jeepster, was conceived.
Originally offered April 3, 1948, the Jeepster didn’t immediately catch on with traditional Willys customers as had been the hope, but instead, was discovering new clients, which was interesting in itself. Equipped with the 62 HP, 134 CI inline-4 engine, a 3-speed manual transmission with optional overdrive, four-wheel drum brakes, and a single transverse leaf-spring suspension, it was only offered in rear-wheel drive. More than 10,000 units were sold in 1948, which encouraged the company to press on. In 1949, trying to spice things up, Willys-Overland offered the new VJ3-6 engine as an option.
Producing 72 HP, the 149 CI inline-6 engine was not much more powerful than the four-cylinder, but it was considerably smoother. In spite of the bigger engine and more available features, sales slipped drastically to 2,960, only 653 of which hosted the VJ3-6. While nearly 6,000 VJs were sold, the company was still selling them into 1951. This 1949 Willys Jeepster is presented in bright, two-stage Ferrari Red paint with Black trim. Inside the VJ has a new black interior with plaid inserts, and a new top. All the brightwork has been polished or re-chromed, and all the glass and weatherstripping has been replaced.
The 134 CI inline-4 engine has been treated to a comprehensive rebuild with a freshly surfaced head and flywheel, new valves and exhaust seats, bored, honed and surfaced block, polished crank, new piston rings, resized connecting rods, new rod, main, cam bearings and freeze plugs, all linked to a 3-speed manual transmission with overdrive which was rebuilt by ATV MFG in Brush Prairie, Washington. The clutch, pressure plate, upper and lower bushings, tie rod ends, king pin kit, sector kit, shackle kit, drive shaft end kits, and body mounts are new, while the steering components have been renewed. Since the restoration the Jeepster has traveled only 27 miles.
