My journey to buying a 1948 Jeepster began when I was a teenager in the 50s in Fargo, ND. I was a lifeguard at the town pool when I saw a green and white 1949 Jeepster in the parking lot for sale – $400. I had always wanted a convertible. I had $400 in the bank, so I bought it. I drove it back to Penn State and used the car through most of college. Along the way I got married and had a little girl. She came home in the Jeepster, but soon thereafter grandparents convinced me that an open car was not the place for a baby and the Jeepster was sold in favor of a 1954 VW bug. Now the little girl is a retired Medical Corp Colonel and I am in my 80s. But in spite of over half a century distance from the old 1949, when I saw an advertisement for a 1948 Jeepster in Jackson, WY, I felt a wave of nostalgia and asked one of my sons, who lives near Jackson to look at it and see if it was in good enough shape to buy.
My son is an expert mechanic and his verdict was that it was basically sound but would require about the same amount of money that I would pay for it, to bring it to safe driving condition. And, being taken by a car that would not require a computer diagnosis to fix, offered to take charge of the renovation. Besides it needing new floor pans, a transmission overhaul and possibly an engine job, he noted it lacked the T-chrome Willys-Overland grill ornament. I looked all over the internet and came up dry. But lo and behold my son has come up with one and the attached photo shows the result. Now the mechanical work is under way and consideration is being given to modernizing the side curtains (the ones with the vehicle were originals with the deteriorated plastic). My daughter on learning of the purchase had but one word to say: “cool”. And the rest of the family is looking forward to rides with the top down. I suspect that when I get to Virginia and I drive it, I may even feel like that teenager with wind in my face (no longer any hair). My retired military colleagues (my age) looking at the photo tell me that it looks like a “real Jeep.”
I too had a similar experience with a black Jeepster with white wall tires being seen in Arnprior Ontario as a young boy. The garage owner who sold coal oil/ naptha to my grandmother for cottage lamps,was the owner. It was the first Jeep I ever saw.
I have not seen another one like it.
I too had a similar experience with a black Jeepster with white wall tires being seen in Arnprior Ontario as a young boy. The garage owner who sold coal oil/ naptha to my grandmother for cottage lamps,was the owner. It was the first Jeep I ever saw.
I have not seen another one like it.
What a great story. I have a M38A1. I would love to have a Jeepster, but my wife says no.
What a great story. I have a M38A1. I would love to have a Jeepster, but my wife says no.
Great story. Ya gotta keep them alive!!
I have 1979 Jeep Cherokee and a 1965 CJ-5 as well as a Rubicon. Keep on Jeepin’
Great story. Ya gotta keep them alive!!
I have 1979 Jeep Cherokee and a 1965 CJ-5 as well as a Rubicon. Keep on Jeepin’
Very Nice!!! I had a 53 Willys wagon when I was young. Would love to find another.
Very Nice!!! I had a 53 Willys wagon when I was young. Would love to find another.
What a great srory. Congratulations! I am 78 and can remember a jeep pickp in a dealer lot across from from my school. I am lucky enough to own a 62 second owner pickup.
What a great srory. Congratulations! I am 78 and can remember a jeep pickp in a dealer lot across from from my school. I am lucky enough to own a 62 second owner pickup.
I too had a Willys when young, it was my fathers and I got it after his death. A few years later I thought I needed some money and sold it. I was in my twenties. In my forties I purchased another one, this one needed much repair. Waiting 20 yrs. for retirement to come, I finally got the chance to get it going, and that was in 2017. Now I have it up and running. It’s a cj-2a, we take it to cruise ins and shows (don’t expect to win best of show, but won a couple of fan favorites). I also use it in the woods, and through mud. Wife and I travel many miles of back dirt roads, we love it. Yes the air on my face brings back my youth. Enjoy yours.
I too had a Willys when young, it was my fathers and I got it after his death. A few years later I thought I needed some money and sold it. I was in my twenties. In my forties I purchased another one, this one needed much repair. Waiting 20 yrs. for retirement to come, I finally got the chance to get it going, and that was in 2017. Now I have it up and running. It’s a cj-2a, we take it to cruise ins and shows (don’t expect to win best of show, but won a couple of fan favorites). I also use it in the woods, and through mud. Wife and I travel many miles of back dirt roads, we love it. Yes the air on my face brings back my youth. Enjoy yours.
Yo podria decir Me crie entre Jeep .Mi padre tenia un CJ2,Mi tio pocho un Cj3 Cuando ingrese al cuerpo de ingenieros del ejercito estaban los M38…y 38A1 que es el Cj5 en uniforme militar Como mecanico militar me toco jugar a los mecanicos con ellos … Nunca tuve uno propio ,Cuando mi hijo tenia 13años .(hoy mas de 30, le hice una replica de CJ5 con motor Brigg & Stratton de 5hp ,Con trasmision de 3 velocidades ,Tras pasar un tiempo abandonado lo empece a reconstruir y sera pronto propiedad de otro niño que espera por el
Yo podria decir Me crie entre Jeep .Mi padre tenia un CJ2,Mi tio pocho un Cj3 Cuando ingrese al cuerpo de ingenieros del ejercito estaban los M38…y 38A1 que es el Cj5 en uniforme militar Como mecanico militar me toco jugar a los mecanicos con ellos … Nunca tuve uno propio ,Cuando mi hijo tenia 13años .(hoy mas de 30, le hice una replica de CJ5 con motor Brigg & Stratton de 5hp ,Con trasmision de 3 velocidades ,Tras pasar un tiempo abandonado lo empece a reconstruir y sera pronto propiedad de otro niño que espera por el
Very cool story,,,and he looks great,,,mine is a 50 , and never been touched,,, could use a little attention but then where do you stop,,,
DB
Very cool story,,,and he looks great,,,mine is a 50 , and never been touched,,, could use a little attention but then where do you stop,,,
DB
Our Jeepster has a Fargo connection. We live in southeast North Dakota and noticed an ad for a Jeepster for sale in Fargo. It was love at first site. After more than ten years of ownership we have had only minor
repairs.
It looks at home parked beside our 49 Jeep pickup, 72 Commando and 79 Jeep Cherokee. The Cherokee we bought new and is my daily driver.
Our Jeepster has a Fargo connection. We live in southeast North Dakota and noticed an ad for a Jeepster for sale in Fargo. It was love at first site. After more than ten years of ownership we have had only minor
repairs.
It looks at home parked beside our 49 Jeep pickup, 72 Commando and 79 Jeep Cherokee. The Cherokee we bought new and is my daily driver.