While strolling down the mean streets of Carmel, Cali yesterday at the annual orgy of overconsumption known as the Concours d'Elegance, we spied this way-cool, and very well preserved, Willys Jeepster---the inspiration for the Commando model launched 20 years later by Kaiser.
The Willys Jeepster, known as the VJ, is a rare bird indeed---the vehicle's iconoclastic style never really caught on with the public, and fewer than 20,000 were ever sold between 1948 and 1950. Those who did buy them, though, got a distinct and unique vehicle that was the brainchild of Brooks Stevens, a longtime industrial designer who drew up cars for Studebaker, engines for Briggs & Stratton, and who also designed the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Base engine for the VJ was the familiar Go Devil 134ci engine, though the less well-known 149ci Lightning six-cylinder was an option. Later models got the F-head "Hurricane" I-4 or the six-cylinder. Transmission was the Warner T-90 three-speed, and the rear axle a Dana 25 with bigger brakes than the CJ version. Suspension was leaf-sprung at both ends using parts shared with the Willys Wagon and pickup truck.
This specimen here would appear to be a work in progress---the interior was still a bit ratty when we spied it, but all the bodywork, chrome and sheetmetal are all original issue and all in excellent shape. So yeah, it never came with a transfer case, but this is one Jeep we'd love to own, if only for neighborhood bragging rights.