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December 16, 2021

1950 Willys Jeepster


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1950 Jeepster

The Jeepster is an automobile originally produced by Willys-Overland Motors from 1948 to 1950. It was developed in hopes of filling a gap in the company’s product line, crossing over from their “utilitarian” proto SUVs and trucks to the passenger automobile market. The basic model included numerous deluxe features and interior fittings in addition to a high level of standard equipment that cost extra on other automobiles. A total of almost 20,000 were manufactured.

The Jeepster name was revived in 1966 on a new model, the C-101 Jeepster Commando. American Motors Corporation (AMC), Willys-Overland’s successor, removed Jeepster from the name for 1972, with production ending after 1973.

The 1950 model year saw the VJ-3 Jeepster’s first styling revisions, which included a new instrument panel and redesigned front end featuring a V-shaped grilled with horizontal chrome trim. The car had very little standard equipment. Willys’ L161 Lightning six-cylinder was offered in addition to the standard Go Devil four-cylinder. Model designations were dependent on production timeframe, with early 1950s four-cylinder Jeepster’s given VJ-3 463 and six-cylinders VJ-3 663, changed to VJ-473 and VJ-673, respectively, for later year vehicles.

Before…

Just got this Jeepster in to get it running and make it road ready.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

During…

Removed the front clip to be able to remove the engine.

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1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

Pulled the engine and transmission out.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

The engine is out and the front clip is off.

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1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

Found some rust in the toe panel and floor pan.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

Since the floor pan was complete rust, we have cut out the passenger side.

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1950 Willys Jeep
1950 Willys Jeep
1950 Willys Jeep
1950 Willys Jeep
1950 Willys Jeep
1950 Willys Jeep

Both the drivers side and passenger side floor pans have been cut out.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

The body mount brackets have been buffed and sprayed with etch primer.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

We have reattached the support bracket back to the frame.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

We removed the rear passenger floor pan.

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1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

Beginning to tack weld in the new floor pan.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

Fitting and welding the middle section of the new floor pan into place.

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1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

The rear and middle section of the floor pan has been sprayed with etch primer.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

Welding in the front section and toe panel.

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1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

Working on grinding down the welds to make a smooth finish.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

The passenger floor pan has been completed and sprayed with etch primer.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

We are now working on replacing the drivers side floor pan.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

We have welded in the drivers side floor pan.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

The rear bench seat has been torn down to be restored.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

We have sprayed etch primer and begun fabricating the seat mounts.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

We have painted all the seat frames.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

Mocking up the seat frames with the fabricated seat mounts.

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1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

We have cut out new wood bases to apply the new foam.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

Finished the new fabricated seat mounts for the front seats.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

Doors and beltline trim have been removed and torn down.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

The dash has been torn down in preparation for media blast.

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1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

The windshield has been removed.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

We have removed the old gas tank from underneath the vehicle.

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1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

We have removed the spare tire, rear bumper, tail lights and heater.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

The steering column has been removed.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

The cab, fenders, grille and other miscellaneous parts have been media blasted.

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

The doors and grille have been sprayed with primer.

Click on the pictures to get a better look!

1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster
1950 Willys Jeepster

We have gotten the body epoxy sealed.

1950 Willy
1950 Willy
1950 Willy
1950 Willy
1950 Willy

After…