Jeep jeepster

The Jeepster was a Jeep brand automobile . The first Jeepster was offered by Willys-Overland in 1948 , but was not accepted by the market and was soon discontinued. In 1966 the name reappeared on a new model, the Jeepster Commando C-101 . Again, the sales figures could not meet expectations and the new owner AMC discontinued production in 1973.

VJ

Jeepster VJ (1948)

The first Jeepster "VJ" was produced from 1948 to 1950. Willys-Overland, owner of the Jeep brand, believed after World War II that the military-style Jeep market would be limited to farmers and foresters and therefore produced models such as the Jeep CJ , Jeep Wagon and Jeep Truck . The Jeepster with rear-wheel drive, a forerunner of today's crossover models, was supposed to close a gap in the model range between commercial vehicles and passenger cars . The car was offered from 1948 to 1950. The angular body style designed by Brooks Stevens was criticized, as it did not meet the public's taste of the targeted market segment. Sparse advertising also thwarted sales success. In total, only 19,132 Jeepsters VJ were built - 10,326 in 1948, 2,960 in 1949 and 5,836 in 1950.

The Jeepster VJ was powered by a Willys Go Devil four-cylinder in-line engine with 2,196 cc and 62 bhp (46 kW), as the CJ had. There was a manual three-speed gearbox (with overdrive if desired ) and all wheels were braked with drum brakes. The transverse leaf spring on the front axle, like the rear axle, came from the Jeep Wagon , the flat rear fenders and the longitudinal leaf springs at the rear corresponded to those of the Jeep Truck .

Engines:

1948–1950: 2.2 liter - R4 - Willys Go Devil engine L134
1949–1950: 2.4 liter R6 Willys Lightning L148 engine
1950: 2.2 liter - R4 - Willys Hurricane engine F134
1950: 2.6 liter - R6 - Willys Lightning L161 engine

C-101

Jeepster (1971) with a CJ snout

The Jeepster was revived in 1966 in the form of the Jeepster Commando C-101 . The counter-steered four-cylinder in-line engine Willys Hurricane - a direct descendant of the earlier Go-Devil engines - and finally four-wheel drive were used. This engine developed 75 bhp (55 kW) at 4,000 rpm. and a torque of 154 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The 160 bhp (119 kW) Kaiser Dauntless engine was available as an option . The V6 developed a torque of 318 Nm. From 1966 to 1971, 57,350 Jeepster Commando C-101s were sold.

A number of body styles were available for the Jeepster Commando: a station wagon, a cabriolet, a pickup and a roadster. A particularly noteworthy offer was the deluxe station wagon with rear sliding windows and full equipment. In some cases the vehicles also had a two-tone paint scheme. The Hurst Jeepster with modifications by Hurst Performance had a special gear lever, a special paint job and a speedometer on the bonnet. The Cabriolet was available in three versions: Revival Jeepster, Commando Cabriolet and an open roadster without any body. The Revival Jeepster was the showpiece in the program: it had a particularly luxurious interior, an electric hood and an upright spare wheel with cover ("Continental Kit") at the rear. The Commando Cabriolet had the same body, but only the basic equipment.

Engines:

1966–1971: 2.2 liter - R4 - Willys Hurricane engine F134 , 75 bhp (55 kW) and 154 Nm
1966–1971: 3.7 liter V6 Kaiser Dauntless engine , 160 bhp (119 kW) and 318 Nm

C-104

Modified Jeep Commando C-104 (1972)

After the 1971 model year, the Jeepster name was dropped, but the model remained in production as the Jeep Commando for two years . In 1972 the car got a radiator grille across the entire width of the vehicle. The Commando was available with three AMC engines, two in-line six-cylinders (3.8 l and 4.2 l) and a V8 (5.0 l). In 1972 and 1973, 20,233 Jeep Commando C-104s were built.

C-104 variants: convertible, hardtop and pickup, mixed forms and special structures and attachments on customer request.

Optional extras: factory radio, factory antenna, lockable glove compartment, chrome roof rails, immobilizer, machine, 4.2 l and 5.0 l, color scheme, hubcaps, free-wheel hubs, external spare wheel. Many vehicles were delivered without hubcaps.

Original Jeep Commando C-104

The C104, also known as "Bullnose", was often used for the tough Bahja race in which it won several races. The 6-cylinder engine and the manual transmission are considered to be very durable. Compared to the CJ, the longer wheelbase, the engine moved behind the front axle and the associated front mid-engine design resulted in an overall very balanced driving behavior with a low weight of 1150 kg. The low mass and the small carburetor ensure low fuel consumption, 10 liters of regular gasoline per 100 km are quite achievable. The engines can handle unleaded gasoline and ethanol additives, since from 1972 only unleaded gasoline, partly mixed with ethanol, was offered in the USA and most manufacturers had equipped their vehicles with appropriate valve seats from then on.

Depending on the engine version and rear axle ratio, the C104 can reach 160–180 km / h. A well-maintained brake system is quite up to the performance offered. The vehicles have very good axle articulation and ground clearance, the "floater suspension" allows high speed on slopes.

Today a worldwide fan base has formed, many "Bullnose" are still used daily. Some have been used in mud drag competitions and trial driving for decades . Because of their proverbial resilience and high level of comfort, classic car rally raids are the domain of these vehicles.

Engines:

1971–1972: 3.8 liter - R6 - AMC engine , 100 bhp (74 kW) and 250 Nm
1971–1972: 4.2 liter R6 AMC engine
1971–1972: 5.0 liter V8 AMC engine

The R6 engines are known for high mileage with appropriate care.

Drive:

Rear wheel drive
Switchable 4-wheel drive
Reduction gear
Manual shift
Automatic 2-speed gearbox for R6 and V8

Basic engine:

Type:	6-cylinder in-line engine
Bore × stroke,	3.75 "× 3.50"
content	232 cubic inches
compression	8.0: 1
PS	100 at 3600 rpm
Torque	185 Nm at 1800 min ^-1
Engine options	258 cubic inches I-6, 304 cubic inches V8
Chassis and drive technology:
coupling	simple, dry
transmission	3-speed, manual
option	Turbo 400
Gear ratios	2.5: 1, 1.5: 1, 1.0: 1, 2.1: 1 backwards
Reduction gear	Model 20, 2-speed 2.03: 1 low 1: 1 high
Front suspension	Leaf springs
Rear suspension	Leaf springs
Final drive	3.73: 1
Brakes	11 "drum / 11" drum
More information
wheelbase	104 "
height	62.4 "
width	65.2 "
length	168.4 "
Weight	2,800 lb.
Petrol tank	15 gallons

Matching tires:

215/75/15
HR 78-15 = 225 / 75R15
LR 78-15 = 235 / 75R15
HR 70-15 = 235 / 70R15
8 R15 LT = 28x8.50 R15 LT = 225 / 75R15
9 R15 LT = 30x9.50 R15 LT = 235 / 75R15

Swell:

Jeep: The Unstoppable Legend by Arch Brown, Publishers Inter.
Jeep buyers guide by Peter Sessler, Motorbooks International.
Jeep Bible by Moses Ludel, Robert Bentley Publishers.
Jeep Prototypes and Concept Vehicles: by Peter C. Sessler, Iconografix.

Web links and sources

Individual evidence

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