1950 Willys Jeepster V6

Location: Wichita, Kansas

Why It's Curated: This 1950 Willys Jeepster V6 is for sale in Wichita, Ks. This Jeepster represents a significant departure from Willys' utilitarian roots, being part of the company's ambitious attempt to create America's first sport utility vehicle for civilian markets. Most notably, this example features the desirable Buick "Fireball" V-6 engine swap, a popular period upgrade that dramatically improved performance over the original L-head four-cylinder. The Jeepster's unique phaeton body style with removable soft top and fold-down windshield created an entirely new vehicle category that wouldn't be revisited until decades later. With collector ownership and described as "well sorted," this example showcases the model's distinctive blend of open-air motoring and rugged Jeep DNA. The split windshield, chrome details, and convertible top in good condition preserve the Jeepster's distinctive character as an early crossover that bridged recreational and practical transportation.

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Model History: The 1950 Willys Jeepster emerged as a pioneering attempt to bridge the gap between rugged utility and recreational motoring, representing one of America's earliest forays into what would eventually become the sport utility vehicle segment. Introduced in 1948, the Jeepster was Willys-Overland's bold vision to capitalize on their wartime Jeep success by creating a civilian vehicle that combined open-air driving pleasure with practical transportation. The phaeton-style body featured a distinctive split windshield, removable canvas top, and fold-down windshield—innovations that predated the modern convertible SUV concept by decades. Originally powered by Willys' reliable but underpowered L-head four-cylinder engine, many Jeepsters like this example received period upgrades to more potent powerplants, with the Buick "Fireball" V-6 being a particularly desirable swap that transformed the vehicle's performance characteristics. Despite its innovative concept, the Jeepster struggled commercially against traditional convertibles and station wagons, with production ending in 1951 after just 19,132 units were built across four model years. This commercial failure, however, has elevated the Jeepster's status among collectors as a prescient design that was simply ahead of its time. The model's unique position in automotive history—neither a true Jeep nor a conventional passenger car—makes it a fascinating study in market timing and consumer preferences. Today, surviving Jeepsters are highly sought after for their rarity, distinctive styling, and their role as the spiritual predecessor to modern recreational utility vehicles. The combination of Willys' robust engineering heritage and the Jeepster's recreational focus created a vehicle that embodies the optimistic spirit of post-war American automotive innovation.

Vehicle Details:
Year: 1950
Make: Willys
Model: Jeepster
Drive: Rear Wheel Drive
Miles: 50,000
Mileage Verification: True Miles Unknown
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual (3 pedals)
Number of Forward Gears: 3
Engine: Fireball V-6 Buick Engine
Exterior Color: Yellow
Interior Color: Beige
State of Registration: Kansas
Vehicle Location: Wichita, Kansas
VIN: Available Upon Request
Title: Clean

Details:

Drivetrain, Suspension, Tires & Brakes:

Wheel Size and Offset: 15
Tire Brand, Model, and Size: Allstate Gaurdsman 6.70 R15

Exterior & Interior:
Repainted with a Vinyl interior
Working Heat: Yes
Working Air Conditioning: No

Other Notable Features or Functions:

Fireball V-6 Buick Engine. 3 on The Tree Manual Transmission. Collector Owned Jeepster Very Well Sorted as a Nice Driver Condition Example. Nice Condition on the Chrome and Paint. Interior is Very Nice. 50K Miles Showing, but TMU. Split Windshield. Convertible Top is in Good Shape. Very Driveable Jeepster with the Better Engine Option.

Recent Maintenance:
Vehicle has been recently inspected and is in good running and driving order.