Gregory Switzer, from Sodus Point, N.Y., sent this photo of his 1949 Willys Jeepster, one of less than 20,000 that were ever produced from 1948 to 1950. A small block 350 Chevy V8 powers his Jeepster. (Switzer photo collection)
Attached are advertisements from the 1949 and 1950 Jeepster models, and how Willys-Overland utilized the vehicle to attract consumers both young and old. (Complements former Willys-Overland).
Q: Hi Greg. I am a lover of all Jeeps and Willys vehicles. When I moved to this town in 1969, I drove a 1948 Jeepster with a Chevy engine. I recently bought a 1949 with a 350 Chevy small block and I had the engine rebuilt and then added new paint and convertible top with side windows. It is looking good.
My friend has one he wants to sell. It is all original except for three sets of horns. Thanks for reading my letter and how some Jeep and Jeepster history? Gregory Switzer, Sodus Point, N.Y.
A: Gregory thanks for the photo you sent along with your letter. Your’49 Jeepster looks to be in great shape, and I notice the front license plate says “Grandpa’s Toy. That’s very cool.
Over the years, I’ve received many a letter on the popularity of the Willys-Overland Company and its Jeep products, including the Jeepsters and the first military contract Willys-Overland Jeeps.
Today, Jeepsters are in demand because Willys only built a total of 19,131 Jeepsters from 1948 through 1950. They then sold the remaining inventory titled as 1951 models. Thus, you indeed have a rare, great vehicle in your possession regardless of it being all original. To me, that Chevy V8 small block under the hood makes it all the more attractive to the younger set, who love old Jeeps with Chevy or Ford V8 engines.
The first military Jeep contract went to American Bantam, shown here in action in 1941 a military promotional photo. However, the company was too small to keep up with demand during the World War II years, delivering only 2,600 units before Willys-Overland took over and filled the Army’s need for 16,000 Jeeps. (Complements former American Bantam Company)
As I’ve mentioned in other columns, sometimes the collector car hobby can become to “politically correct” when it comes to matching numbers and “all original,” so don’t let anyone tell you your Jeepster isn’t worth much because of the engine and transmission upgrade. Many times, a buyer will tell an owner that in hopes of “stealing” a car for way below what it’s worth.
Your Jeepster photo proves the body is in excellent shape and the work you did elsewhere sure ups its value. So, both in original and mechanically upgraded, Jeepsters have collectability value and command attention at car shows nationwide.
As for the Willys Military Jeep, and as a historical side note, it was actually the American Bantam Company that receives credit for inventing the Jeep model back when the war broke out in 1941. They called the creation the Bantam Reconnaissance Car (BRC), and built some 2,600 military-only units at Bantam production facilities in Detroit, Michigan and Butler, Pa.
American Bantam, however, lacked the financial strength to deliver the Army’s needed 16,000 vehicles and that’s how Willys-Overland came in and won the bidding when the military opened up the contract. Years later, Ford would also win a “backup producer” part of the Jeep action.
Still, Jeep’s original founder will always be American Bantam, which had the right idea but not the monies or political inroads that Willys and Ford had.
Thanks for your letter Gregory and take good care of your Jeepster, it’s the right color, too!
(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist who welcomes reader questions and comments on collector cars, old-time racing and auto nostalgia at 303 Roosevelt St., Sayre, Pa. 18840 or email at greg@gregzyla.com).
