14 Year Slumber: 1949 Willys-Overland Jeepster
Here is a real rarity in the Jeep family: A 1949 Willys-Overland Jeepster for sale on Craigslist in Tuscola, Texas for $15,900. And it looks like the seller was so excited with his barn find, he couldn’t wait to take pictures of it at night on his trailer. I’d feel the same way.
Willys-Overland, the owners of the Jeep brand in 1947 decided that their line of Jeep products needed something a little softer than their CJ Jeep and its siblings Jeep Wagon and Panel truck. The result was the Jeepster two wheel drive roadster-style vehicle. It was designed to be a daily driver Jeep with conveniences such as a real glovebox, whitewall tires and nicer interior trim details.
The 1949 example for sale here looks like it is in nice condition, body wise since the photos (admittedly shot at night) do not show any corrosion issues or major dents, but the seller says that some floor pan work is needed. The two-tone cream and brown paint has some chips and scratches but it may be serviceable enough. The chrome bumpers and grille trim are in nice shape, too. The hubcaps are missing in the photos and it is not mentioned if the seller has them. They may be challenging to find.
The convertible top is said to be present, but there are no pictures to show its condition when raised. The vinyl side curtains are not mentioned or shown and they could be another hard to find item. The interior upholstery looks like it is intact, but the steering wheel needs to be recast. All of the dashboard and switchgear that is shown in the photos looks really nice and the dash top mounted pipe cradle is a cool touch.
Under the hood, everything looks very tidy. It is possible that the engine has been rebuilt at some point in its life since everything looks as though it was cleaned, painted and driven sparingly. Jeep enthusiasts will recognize the 134 cubic inch Go Devil four cylinder engine which is mated to a three speed column-shift transmission driving the rear wheels. It is not currently in running condition and the seller doesn’t say if it is turning freely or not. Jeepsters are rarities and finding one in this condition is not at all common. With a little negotiation, this could be a real opportunity.
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Comments
Really? Night photos of a vehicle….on a trailer!! If that doesn’t say “Run, Forrest, run!” to you, then nothing will.
Saw a red one at a local gas station last Saturday. Absolutely mint condition. Must be the one that put this one on the trailer.If the pictured one draws 15,900 then somebody in Brighton NY is driving a $30,000 version.
I bought one 29 years ago for an old girlfriend. It was on an S10 chassis and had a 4.3 V6 that made it a nice driving vehicle. They are really not that rare, also not 4X4 and quite crude. The orignal brakes and suspension are junk and the engine isn’t much better. Never the less fun vehicles. I love the steps on the rear fenders to get in the back seat.
Isn’t it a rule on flipping to take it off trailer and place in a barn dusty?
Does this come with WW2 Mcarthers pipe or am I supposed to be smoking it with special tobacco pre check giving ?
This was at an Estate Sale here local to Dallas with the on-line bidding for it was on the low side for a nice one….I watched it and although one’s on my list – my piggie bank was a little lower….still I could have sold something – if I had that hard…funny it took a few months for the flipper to get it up fer sale.
Nice, but not $15,900 nice.
Yea, I’ve had that problem too. When you can’t get the carb to match up with the cleaner just right… use a rubber sewer clamp.
Nice find. Great folks and technical resources over at http://www.OkdWillysForum.com
23 days on the market and still available. I don’t follow these but it’s not hard to research what the market seems to think. There’s one in the completed auctions section of ebay that in pictures and description could be the twin to this, except it’s a running/driver. “Sold” in late June with one bid at $8500, except it got reposted again in mid July. Listed at $8500 it ended in a no bid/no sale. Probably a message there………….
Money may be not quite right but it does look pretty good for a 69 year old vehicle in my book. Looks pretty complete too.
For 15,000 I’ll take this one
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/willys/jeepster/2117458.html
You’re right that red one is far superior to this yellow one.
Some people have all the luck! I wished I could find one in this kind of condition closer to me! What a great find!