1950 Willys Jeepster

The Willys Jeepster is an automobile originally produced by Willys-Overland Motors in Toledo. Ohio. It was the last true phaeton produced by a major automaker and known as the first “Crossover” Willys to enter into the passenger automobile market from their more utilitarian truck-type vehicles. To this end. Willys employed famous industrial and automotive designer/stylist Brooks Stevens to create this unique vehicle with a Willys “boxy” yet distinctive styling. The Jeepster (“VJ” designation) was introduced in April 1948 and ended production in late 1950. Some leftover models were sold under the 1951 model year. The Jeepster was offered only with rear-wheel drive as a family touring or parade vehicle. Initially. traditional Willys customers were only marginally interested because the Jeepster lacked the traditional four-wheel drive. As it turned out. the Jeepster was a real hit but not widely known due to a limited advertising budget. In the end. 19. 32 VJ Jeepsters were built mostly with four cylinder engines. In 1950. only 653 had the optional Lightning Six engine. The 1950 model year saw the first styling revisions that included a redesigned front end featuring a V-shaped grille with horizontal chrome trim. and a new dashboard. New engines and designations were dependent on the time of year in 1950. Early 1950s four-cylinder Jeepsters were VJ-3 463. and the straight-six Jeepsters were VJ-3 663. Later-year Jeepsters were VJ-473 and VJ-673. respectively. Jeepster Description This is an excellent example of a completely original. rust-free 1950 Jeepster equipped with the rare. later year optional VJ-673 Lightning Six engine (six-cylinder) with overdrive. It has a matching number engine and chassis with original options including radio and speaker. passenger compartment heater. Continental Kit spare tire. original horn. original carburetor and air filter system. etc. No modifications have ever been done to this vehicle; it has always been well maintained and garage-kept. The original Willys medallion is present on the lower driver's side cowling of the vehicle. and icon piece that is missing in many of the other Jeepsters. The Jeepster is in excellent mechanical condition. The Jeepster starts easily (via the floor mounted starter button) and quickly settles down to a smooth idle. It has new brakes and Firestone Whitewall tires. The Lightning Six provides plenty of torque to get her rolling. and the three speed manual transmission shifts correctly. while the Automatic Overdrive engages over 35 mph in top gear if you momentarily let off the gas. This isn't really a car. nor is it a truck. It's a Jeepster.

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