JEEPSTER CONVERTIBLE STOCK 4CYL OD VINTAGE JEEP ROADSTER 1948 1950 1951 OVERLAND

Description for Willys 439 1949

1949 WILLYS OVERLAND JEEPSTER

1949 Willys Jeepster Specifications
General
Wheelbase (in.)	104
Overall length (in.)	174.8
Overall height (in.)	62
Overall width (in.)	69
Tread, front /rear (in.)	55.5/57.0
Weight, 4-cylinder (lbs)	2,468
Engine
Type	inline L-head 4-cylinder
Bore × stroke (in.)	3.13 × 4.38
Displacement (cid)	134.2
Horsepower @ rpm	63 @ 3,900
Compression ratio	6.48:1
Main bearings	3
Carburetor	1-bbl Carter
Transmission
Type	3-speed manual with overdrive, synchromesh in 2nd and 3rd, column-mounted shifter
Ratios	1st: 2.60:1; 2nd: 1.63:1; 3rd: 1.00:1; overdrive: .70:1; reverse: 3.53:1
Steering
Type	Ross cam and lever
Turns, lock-to-lock	4.5
Turning circle (ft)	35
Suspension
Front	independent upper A-arms, single transverse leaf spring
Rear	semielliptic leaf springs, torsional stabilizer bar
Brakes
Type	4-wheel hydraulic drum
Drum diameter (in.)	9.9
Lining area (sq in.)	133.7
Tires and Wheels
Wheels	pressed steel, drop-center rim

Some Background

After WWII Jeep trademark owner, Willys, believed that the market for the military-type Jeep would be limited to farmers and foresters, therefore they began producing the "CJ" (or Civilian Jeep) to fill this growing segment. Willys began producing the Jeep Wagon and Panel Utility in 1946, and the Jeep Truck in 1947.

Seeing a gap in their product lineup, Willys developed the Jeepster to crossover from their "utilitarian" trucks to the passenger automobile market. Willys-Overland lacked the machinery to form deep-drawn fenders or complicated shapes, so the vehicle had to use a simple and slab-sided design.Industrial designer Brooks Stevens styled a line of postwar vehicles for Willys using a common platform that included the Jeep pickup and station wagon, as well as a sporty two-door open car that he envisioned as a sports car for veterans of World War II.

The Willys-Overland Jeepster ("VJ" internally) was introduced in April 1948, and produced through 1950 Some leftover models were sold under the 1951 model year.

The basic Jeepster included numerous deluxe features and interior fittings in addition to a high level of standard equipment that cost extra on other automobiles. These included, among many others, whitewall tires, chrome hubcaps, with bright trim rings, sun visors, deluxe steering wheel, wind wings, locking glovebox, cigar lighter, and contenintal tire with fabric cover. The Jeepster had Willys' World War II-proven 134.2cuin (2.2L) straight four "Go Devil " engine, and plastic side curtains.

The car was only offered with rear wheel drive. Its distinctive boxy styling and performance were praised by automotive journalists. However, the Jeepster did not catch on with the intended market. Sales were also limited by sparse advertising and an insufficient dealer network.

The Jeepster's engine gave 63hp (47kW; 64PS), which was coupled to a 3-speed manual transmission with standard overdrive. The Planadyne single transverse leaf spring independent front suspensio, entire drivetrain, front end, rear suspension, steering, and four-wheel drum brakes were from the Willys Station Wagon. The flat-topped rear fenders were taken from the Jeep truck line.

THIS LITTLE WILLYS...
RUNNING AND RIVING; THIS WILLYS IS AT HOME ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS, AND OFF-ROAD.THIS WILLYS HAS HAD AN OLDER RESTORATION WITH WHAT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED WITH A SOLID ORIGINAL CAR.
STOCK 4 BANGER FLATHEAD ENGINE FIRES RIGHT UP AND DOESN'T SMOKE.STOCK 3 SPEED WITH OVER-DRIVE SHIFT THROUGH THE GEARS EASILY.IN ADDITION THE CAR STOPS, STEERS, AND HANDLES AS 1949 WILLYS SHOULD.

THE BODY AND PAINT WHILE OLDER STILL PRESENTS WELLI WAS ONLY ABLE TO SEE ONE SMALL SPOT OF RUST IN A FLOOR PAN UNDERNEATH (SEE PICS)FACTORY SPLIT BENCH WITH FORWARD FOLDING LOAD IN SEAT STILL PRESENT AND WORKING.OLDER UPHOLSTERY SHOWS WEAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTGOOD FRONT AND WING WINDOW GLASSSIDE CURTAINS PRESENT
CONVERTIBLE TOP FOLDS UP AND DOWN EASILY
THE TOP HAS BEEN DOWN AWHILE AND FEELS AS THE FABRIC HAS TIGHTENED UP. I WAS NOT ABLE LATCH ALL THE WAY FOR FEAR OF DAMAGE. IT MAY NEED SOME TIME IN THE SUN TO RELAX AND OR ADJUSTING TO BE IN LATCHING ORDER.
THERE ARE NO MAJOR RIPS OR TEARS TO THE FABRIC ITSELF. (NOTE) ONE OF THE THREE TOP LATCHES IS BROKEN AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.

BF GOODRICH SILVERTOWN WIDE WHITE WALL TIRESSTILL FACTORY 6 VOLTNO HEATER
SPEEDOMETER IS INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIME NOISYORIGINAL FOOT STARTER SWITCH STILL IN WORKING ORDER

CLEAR CALIFORNIA TITLE IN HAND.REGISTERED AS A HISTORICAL VEHICLE IN CA. PLATES WILL ONLY BE INCLUDED IF THE CAR STAYS IN CA.CAR IS CURRENTLY ON NON-OP SO THERE ARE NO BACK FEES ETC.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTION BEFORE BIDDING

Please view the numerous photos below

click thumbnails below for larger images
PAYMENT IN FULL WITHIN 7 DAYS OF PURCHASE. VEHICLES TO BE PICKED UP WITHIN 10 DAYS OF AUCTIONS END UNLESS OTHER ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE PRIOR TO BIDDING.
SOLD AS IS WHERE IS NO WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BUYER RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SHIPPING CHARGES AND MAKING SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS.
THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR AND WE WELCOME PERSONAL INSPECTIONS BY YOU OR AN AGENT ON YOUR BEHALF. BY BIDDING YOU INDICATE YOU HAVE REVIEWED ALL THE INFORMATION AND ARE SATISFIED WITH THE INFORMATION PROVIDED.
PAYMENT IN FULL WITHIN 7 DAYS OF PURCHASE
PLEASE BE SURE YOU CAN COMPLETE THESE TERMS PRIOR TO BIDDING
VEHICLES TO BE PICKED UP WITHIN 10 DAYS OF AUCTIONS END UNLESS OTHER ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE PRIOR TO BIDDING.