Lot 463

Fort Lauderdale 2014

1950 Willys Jeepster

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$25,850 USD | Sold

United States | Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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After World War II, Willys decided to resume its civilian production by releasing a series of Jeep-based vehicles. Choosing this course of action set Willys apart from most other automobile manufacturers, who instead simply picked up where they had left off in 1941. This was a smart move on Willys’ part, not only because it required minimal retooling, but also because thousands upon thousands of returning servicemen were fiercely loyal to the Jeep.

The two-door Jeepster, introduced in 1948 was designed by Brooks Stevens during the war and built using the same chassis as the Jeep station wagon. Even with an unmistakably Jeep front end, its styling was sporty, with such cues as cut down upper edges on the doors, inspired by the little roadsters coming out of the UK.

Slightly updated for 1950, the new Jeepster had a revised grille, a new center-gauge dashboard design and a wraparound rear bumper. Mechanically, the Jeepster was still available with either an inline four or a six-cylinder engine and optional overdrive with its three-speed manual transmission.

The burgundy with black interior and vinyl soft-top 1950 Jeepster presented here is one of only 1,778 examples originally fitted with a six-cylinder engine. With 72 horsepower and overdrive, it is reported by the vendor that this Jeepster is a very fit running and driving example. Further features includes red piping highlighting the black seats, side curtains, oil filter, AM radio, rear-mounted spare, zippered rear window, sunvisors, grille guard, cabin heater, radial whitewall tires and factory hubcaps and trim rings.