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1949 Willys Jeepster

Phaeton, Rare 6-Cylinder, Older Full Restoration

Harry's Thoughts

THE ESSENTIALS

Sale Pending!!! This is a very high quality older restoration of the incredibly rare 1949 Jeepster with the 6-cylinder and overdrive. The engine is incredibly quiet and smooth indicating that it is a recent rebuild. This is a consignment from a prominent 65 car collection. The owner spent years looking for this model! He’s enjoyed it on hill-climbs and other events.

This example was formerly under the ownership of a member of the RM Sotheby’s staff and was purportedly restored by RM, considered one of the best restoration facilities in the world. Our consignment client and friend has a 65 car collection and added the Jeepster on February 2009.

Car Highlights
-a rare 1949, 6 cylinder Jeepster with the optional overdrive
-only 653 Jeepsters of this kind ever manufactured
-original older restoration
-terrific rebuild of the rare 6-cylinder

Technical Specifications
– L48 Lightening 6 cylinder
– 72 HP at 4000 RPM
– Carter WA1-645S single barrel carburetor
– Borg-Warner synchromesh three-speed manual with the optional overdrive
– Hydraulic four-wheel drum brakes with 9.9-inch drums
– Front engine rear wheel drive
– Suspension:
(Front): Independent upper A-arms, Single transverse leaf spring
(Rear): Semi elliptic leaf springs, Torsional stabilizer bar

The Willys-Overland (W-O) Jeepster has an exclusive following among collectors, some 70 years after its original production. It was produced from 1948 to 1950, with leftover models being retitled year to year until 1951. They were marketed as one of the earliest crossover vehicles. Of the 19,132 total Jeepsters produced, 2,960 units were badged as 1949’s, and out of those, only 653 had the 6 cylinder engine option. This engine, a 4 main bearing iron block with solid lifters, is an extremely rare L48 Lightening 6 cylinder with a Carter WA1-645S single barrel carburetor. The transmission is a Borg-Warner synchromesh three-speed manual with the rare optional overdrive; this offers a 70 percent gear reduction. The L head L148 Lightening was later replaced in 1950 by the better known F134 Hurricane, making the L148 in this vehicle, the rarest engine offered for any Jeepster.

The Jeepster features body-on-frame construction. This particular Jeepster is finished in a factory “Fiesta Yellow” with white wall tires and stunning chrome work-including name badging on both sides of the hood. The rear bumper is a simple one-piece chrome design with the inscription “Willys Overland” centered between two chrome bolts. This is a significant feature, since in 1950, the word ‘Overland’ was removed from the rear bumper because of a legal battle with government. The correct canvas top is in excellent condition as are the side curtains.

The standard interior of the Jeepster features metal doors with a partial door panel and a split-bench seat. The rear and front passenger seats both fold down providing ample cargo room. The rear bench can accommodate three adult passengers fairly comfortably. Of note, the windshield wipers are vacuum-operated and the switch is found in the centre of the dash just below the windshield split; in the same place as a W-O logo.

Advertising for the Jeepster at the time touted that: “You’ll drive the Jeepster for the sheer joy of driving, of going somewhere, with laughter in your heart and a song on your lips.” After experiencing this vehicle, how could one disagree?

If you’ve been looking for the 6-cylinder Jeepster don’t wait. You know how hard they are to find. Call Harry Clark at +1.602.245.7200 or email us at harry@classicpromande.com.

1949 Willys Jeepster

PRIVATE SALE STATUS
SELLER NAME
LOCATION USA
VIEWS 417

Comments


 
1949 Willys Jeepster
1949 Willys Jeepster
VIN 46387140
BODY STYLE Phaeton
FUEL Gasoline
MILES 8,068
GEARBOX Mannual
DOORS 2
INT COLOR Cream
YEAR 1949
LOCATION Phoenix, AZ
PRIVATE SALE STATUS
SELLER
VIEWS 417

Willy Jeepster

Interesting Fact: The Willy Jeepster was produced by Willys-Overland Motors during the years of 1948 to 1950. This vehicle’s nameplate was renewed for a new model called the Jeepster Commando in 1966, but after American Motors replaced Willys-Overland, they dropped the nameplate in 1972.   This model was designed to serve as the crossover model…
Interesting Fact: The Willy Jeepster was produced by Willys-Overland Motors during the years of 1948 to 1950. This vehicle’s nameplate was renewed for a new model called the Jeepster Commando in 1966, but after American Motors replaced Willys-Overland, they dropped the nameplate in 1972.   This model was designed to serve as the crossover model from their SUVs to passenger automobiles. The Willy Jeepster features a high level of standard equipment that, on other vehicles, would have been quite expensive; including a 2.2-liter straight-four “Go Devil” engine that gave the car 63 horsepower. At the time of its launch, the Jeepster went on sale for $1,765 (roughly $19,000 today).   During 1949, the Willy Jeepster removed some features and offered them as extra-cost options. A new six-cylinder model also ended up getting released, which continued into the 1950 model year. Over the course of the three production years, over 19,000 Jeepsters were produced with the most during 1948. Although the Willy Jeepster is not manufactured anymore, thousands enjoy driving this classic vehicle around today!  

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