RIDE OF THE WEEK: 1948 Willys-Overland Jeepster

by Michael Golubiewski
Production Editor

It’s a Jeepster thing

Willys-Overland Motors made a name for itself during World War II by producing a military scout vehicle for the U.S. government that eventually came to be known as the “Jeep,” or, G-P, short for General Performance Vehicle in military talk. When the war ended, Willys wanted desperately wanted to manufacture civilian cars, so they set about creating a daring, innovative design that would take the Jeep out of its military roots and into the driveways of Americans. The result is this week’s Ride of the Week: A 1948 Willys-Overland Jeepster.

The Jeepster was created in an attempt to get people who normally bought passenger cars to try out something produced by a truck company (one of the first SUVs, if you will). There were 10,326 Jeepsters produced in 1948, its first year on the market. This Willys-Overland Jeepster is the VJ2 model, and is owned by Lawrence Brunner of South Wilkes-Barre.

Brunner bought the Jeepster in New Castle, Pa., nine years ago and drove it around for a while before deciding to restore it back to its original condition. All parts are either original or after-market original, and come from the Jeepster Man in Howell, N.J. For the interior work (seats, top and rugs), Brunner got some help from William Sutton of Kingston, while the paint, bodywork and mechanical work was done by Tom and his crew from Tom’s Auto Body in Wilkes-Barre.

The 1948 Jeepster is a convertible with side curtains. Equipment includes a heater, non-glare inside mirror, outside rear view mirrors, bug screen, six volt radio, deluxe tool cit, spot light, back up lights, fog lights, and under hood light and windshield washers. In 1948, all this was available for the princely sum of $1,765.

Brunner says it’s too cold and wet now for the Jeepster to be out on the streets, but the newly restored vehicle will be shown for the first time in the spring of 2010.

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