Vehicle Description
1950 Willys Jeepster Phaeton
After World War II, Willys decided to resume its civilian
production by releasing a series of Jeep-based vehicles. This
course of action set Willys apart from most other automobile
manufacturers, who instead simply picked up where they had left off
in 1941. The two-door Jeepster Phaeton, 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 design cues as cut
down upper edges on the doors, inspired by the roadsters coming out
of the United Kingdom.
This particular Jeepster exhibits the design revisions made for the
1950 model year, including a revised grille, a new center-gauge
dashboard design, and a wraparound rear bumper. Equipped with the
preferred six-cylinder engine, it is finished in two-tone red and
black with a complementary interior in grey vinyl. Although the car
shows signs of use and minor cosmetic imperfections, it wears an
older restoration and can be driven and enjoyed with pride. It is
well equipped with a number of accessories and features, including
snap-in side curtains, a folding white fabric topic, rear-mounted
spare tire, whitewall tires and dual fog lamps, as well as dual
spot lamps.
72 hp, 149 cu. in. inline six-cylinder engine, three-speed manual
transmission, front transverse leaf spring suspension, rear
semi-elliptical leaf spring suspension, and four-wheel drum brakes.
Wheelbase: 104 in.
Willys Jeepsters have become increasingly popular as summer family
vehicles. This example is especially well outfitted, and given the
unrestored and weathered condition in which so many Jeepsters find
themselves, this is a particularly enticing and remarkably
offering.
Estimate: $15,000-$20,000
