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.
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During…
Removed the front clip to be able to remove the engine.
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Pulled the engine and transmission out.
The engine is out and the front clip is off.
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Found some rust in the toe panel and floor pan.
Since the floor pan was complete rust, we have cut out the passenger side.
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Both the drivers side and passenger side floor pans have been cut out.
The body mount brackets have been buffed and sprayed with etch primer.
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We have reattached the support bracket back to the frame.
We removed the rear passenger floor pan.
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Beginning to tack weld in the new floor pan.
Fitting and welding the middle section of the new floor pan into place.
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The rear and middle section of the floor pan has been sprayed with etch primer.
Welding in the front section and toe panel.
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Working on grinding down the welds to make a smooth finish.
The passenger floor pan has been completed and sprayed with etch primer.
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We are now working on replacing the drivers side floor pan.
We have welded in the drivers side floor pan.
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The rear bench seat has been torn down to be restored.
We have sprayed etch primer and begun fabricating the seat mounts.
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We have painted all the seat frames.
Mocking up the seat frames with the fabricated seat mounts.
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We have cut out new wood bases to apply the new foam.
Finished the new fabricated seat mounts for the front seats.
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Doors and beltline trim have been removed and torn down.
The dash has been torn down in preparation for media blast.
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The windshield has been removed.
We have removed the old gas tank from underneath the vehicle.
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We have removed the spare tire, rear bumper, tail lights and heater.
The steering column has been removed.
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The cab, fenders, grille and other miscellaneous parts have been media blasted.
The doors and grille have been sprayed with primer.
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We have gotten the body epoxy sealed.
