Willys Jeepster Resto Mod, 1950
Chassis No.: NCS101793 Auction: The Eddie Vannoy Collection 2020 Auction date: June 30, 2020 Lot No.: V73 $74,800 | Sold • Exterior: Yellow • Interior: Black • Body: Resto Mod • Custom Resto Mod build • 5.9L fuel-injected V-8 engine • Automatic transmission • Ford 9-inch rear end • Power rack and Pinion steering • Air conditioning • Bucket seats • Auto Meter speedometer/tachometer • AM radio • Chrome bumpers • Rear-mount spare tire • Red wheels with Chrome hubcaps • Wide Whitewall tires • Yellow exterior • Black convertible top • Black interior • Build documentation A postwar phaeton? Yes, the brief 1948-1950 production window of the unique Willys Jeepster resulted in one of the most interesting models built immediately following World War II, and this example is even most exclusive in its refreshed and current state. Willys, fresh off of the wartime success of its military Jeep models, was looking to expand into the passenger market, and the Jeepster was one way to do this. It had likely been hoped by the firm that returning soldiers would find familiarity with these cars, but many of them may have seen enough of the Jeep already during the past half-decade’s events. At any rate, featuring the long soft top and its semi-industrial styling motif, fewer than 20,000 Jeepsters were constructed prior to the end of production the year this one came off the Toledo line, 1950. Part of the appeal for this model year’s styling was the wide-spaced lines of chrome that helped define the V-shaped grille, with a single chrome side spear that started with a Willys W logo on the hood’s side and ran along the body. This example, which has been both tastefully refreshed and upgraded, now features a Chrysler-design 5.9L engine under the hood, complete with fuel injection, fresh-air intake, rack and pinion steering and detailing like the Mopar Performance cast valve covers. The originals came only with 4- and 6-cylinder power. The engine is backed by a more modern automatic transmission and Ford 9-inch rear end. The body panels are now covered in a beautiful yellow, with a contrasting black convertible top and black interior. Inside the low-slung doors one finds bucket seats, a floor-mounted shifter, Vintage Air, the combined Auto Meter speedometer/tachometer fitted into the dash cluster and an AM radio. Brightwork like the chrome bumpers set it off, as do certain distinctively Jeep-based stamping cues. The final touch is the rear-mount full-size spare tire, which matches the red wheels with chrome hubcaps and wide-whitewall tires. The build documentation will be included in the sale. https://www.mecum.com/lots/410191/1950-willys-jeepster-resto-mod/
