This is our 1949 Jeepster \"Sunshine\" with the \"Go Devil\" 134 engine with overdrive. My wife and I have \"Sunshine\" garaged on the Central Coast of California in Cambria, California. We enjoy cruising Hwy 1 and the back roads of San Luis Obispo County with its scenic country side and vineyards. The Central Coast of California has some of the best wineries and is for us the perfect place to enjoy this classic car. When we stop we draw a crowd and it is not unusual to hear folks say, \"my grandfather had a car just like that\". I\'ll never forget the person who came up to me and said that he bought his first Jeepster in 1949 at the Niemen Markcus Dept. Store in Dallas, TX. which had Jeepsters on display! <br></br> <br></br> The fun part for me owning this Classic car is the emotions and memories that it brings out when people first see the Jeepster. What a great way to be a part of automobile history. I think the difference between a Jeepster owner versus a Jeep owner is that owning a Jeep is like going out on a date with a gal that is fun to be with, but do you want to marry her ? When you see a Jeepster \"it is love at first site\" and there is no doubt this is the gal you are going to be married to for a long long time. Last year Sunshine was 60 years old and still running on all four cylinders. She seems to be saying, growing old is mandatory....growing up is not so let\'s have fun !!!! <br></br> <br></br> Don Koepp
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My wonderful wife, pictured with our 2 goldens, found this original \'48, 2nd owner Jeepster in Michigan and had it shipped to me for Christmas for use at our beach house here in No. Calif. Only some small stuff to do as paint, seats and mechanical all great. Apparently only 7K miles on original \"L\" 4 cyl engine. New battery solved many electrical issues. We\'re all loving it!
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Hi there- My father bought his 1950 Willys 2 Door Convertible brand new in 1950 or 51. He sold it a year or two later, since he has two little ones and the convertible proved to be impractical. A few years after that, he saw it on a used car lot in Troy, NY and recognized it as his earlier one, since the serial number contained his birthday (I still have that receipt). In the 60's, he had it customized with wire wheels, a Buick V-8 small block engine, and a whole new two-tone copper colored paint job with matching interior. Sometime in the early 90's, he sold it to the family friend who worked on it when it was repainted, and in early 2000, he bought it back once again! (Imagine buying the same car three times!!) My Dad passed away in 2002, and left it to my son, who was only 12 at the time. Recently, as his high school graduation and senior prom approached, he asked if we could get it going in time for Prom. Well... with drum brakes and no seat belts, I was reluctant to put a teenager, his date and another couple into the car. So we went to work! We put a Mustage II kit into the front end (with rack & pinion steering, disc brakes, etc) and installed new seats with harnesses for safety. A little tweaking of the engine (my beloved husband painstakingly emptied the old fluids from the engine so it wouldn't gum up when we started it after many years of inactivity) and we were all set! What a hit it was with the kids at the prom, and I must admit that it brought a tear to my eye to see my son drive down the driveway in the car that has been a part of my entire life! Photos attached.... Mary Vinciguerra D'Ambrosio -- Mary V. D'Ambrosio
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Thought you might get a kick out of this one. It's a l949, all original except for paint. The original color was maroon. The top is ivory and has "windows" ( soft,clear vinyl sewn into fabric and attached to a frame that is inserted into a hole on the top of the door. Came with a rain bonnet. Has original tube radio and heater. The engine is a Kaiser Super Sonic Six. I'm not sure if the original engine was changed out or if this engine was an option. I am not at home now , so don't have access to my paperwork, and can't remember the mileage, but I think it's about 80,000. Runs great, a little sloppy in the steering, I'm told it needs new "King Pins", drive it every summer and love it. My husband had a 33 Ford 5 Window Coupe and it was a beauty, we used to go to the Street Rod shows and usually, the jeepster got all the attention.. I love it. Midge Stuard Anoka, Minnesota
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1950 Willys Jeepster - I bought it as a basket case in 2006. Started to work on it in November of 2010. Couldn\'t decide if I wanted a restored car or a resto-rod. Decided on the latter and got on the road in November 2011. Still have to have it painted and some interior work done. The car now rides on a shorted S-10 chassis, 4 wheel disc brakes, GM 350 crate motor and 350 transmission.
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We were on our way back to the Jeepster when our friend Sarah snapped this picture with her cell phone after walking 1 1/2 miles down a bike path to find an abandoned wooden train trestle in search for a Cache while Geocaching (a nationwide treasure hunt). It was a beautiful sunny September afternoon in Wisconsin and though we did not find that Cache we discovered there is nothing like a Geocaching adventure in the Jeepster!
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I am in need of any advise or help in the Kansas area on how to remove both rear brake hubs on my 1949 Willys Jeepster. It sat in storage for 30 years and I can not get them to budge. Any help would be awesome. Thanks
Just bought a 1949 Willy’s Jeepster Overland and am in need of a mechanic in SF or near SF. Any ideas. Just don’t want to leave my repairs to anyone and really want an expert! Thanks, J
[…] aside, one thing’s for sure: Jeepster Commandos were made for fun in the sun! Check out the Willys Jeepster and Commando Photo Gallery of the original Jeepsters produced from 1948 to 1950, and the 1966 to 1973 Kaiser and AMC Jeepster […]
I am trying to locate the alignment specs. for a 1949 Jeepster. any leads?
Hi John, We don’t really get into conversions that are not original to the vehicle. We can supply you with any restoration parts you may need. You can also try Jeepster Jim, he specializes in the Willys Jeepster and check out Forums to see if others have done this same conversion.
I have a 1948 Willy’s Jeepster with a 350 chevy engine. Yesterday while driving, the steering completely went out. I suspect that the internal worm gear in the steering box failed.
I now want to convert the front suspension system to a mustang II. What are the difficulties in doing this. Is there a kit specifically for the willys? Does the engine have to be pulled?
I am in Michigan, anyone know of a place that does this?
Give us a call Toll Free at 1-888-648-4923, Monday – Friday, 9AM-5PM EST, we might be able to find you a good used windshield frame for your Jeepster. Another thing you can do is post a wanted ad on http://www.willysforsale.com and also on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Willys-For-Sale/264527936927635. Hope this helps!!
Hi fellow “Jeepster’ers” ha ha… I’m in great need of a windshield frame for my ’50 Jeepster!! Truly hoping that someone can help me locate one. I have completely finished “except paint”, my jeepster. Theres no sense in going any further on the project, having no windshield frame. At one time, in the early ’80’s, my car was complete, with all parts n pieces. Somehow, I lost the windshield frame. Is there anyone that can steer me in the direction of possibly finding this?
Thank You.
Paul Martin
936-828-8276
Hi Hudson, We have complete steering gear box repair kits. What engine do you have in it? Year?
I need help with finding a power steering gear box that will fit my jeepster. My wife can’t drive the jeepster because it is to difficult to turn the wheels at slow speeds. I am considering rebuilding all of the steering components but I think some of them will be replaced when fitting a power steering gear to the unit. Thanks for your help.
Does anyone out there have a yellow jeepster that had a caddy engine in it??? my father in law built one like that in about 1960’s in Vallejo, CA. ED
What kind of shape is it in? Does it have a refurbished engine? Do you have clear title?
need to sell my 1949 jeepster 310-930-2719