Jeep History - 1948-1951 JEEP JEEPSTER (VJ)

The Jeepster (VJ) was the last phaeton-style open-bodied vehicle made by a U.S. automaker, using side curtains for weather protection instead of roll-down windows. Brooks Stevens, the Willys-Overland designer, had intended the Jeepster to be a low-priced American sports car. Eventually it price out at around $1,900, which was at the time extraordinarily expensive.

Though it was marketed as a sports car the performance was somewhat lackluster, which led to poor sales numbers. The Jeepster, unlike the CJ-2A, was promoted as a vehicle "suitable for women drivers and college grads". Many suburban drivers used the Jeepster as a "sunshine" only, or secondary car. Originally offered with the "Go-Devil" engine, it was eventually fitted with the 161 cubic-inch six-cylinder "Hurricane" engine, but never offered in four-wheel drive.

The Jeepster's problems in the marketplace were its limited utility and practicality. It also looks rugged and off-road capable, but is not. Appeal was limited due to the basic construction, poor all-weather protection, and the low performance when equipped with the L4 engine. Even with an optional six-cylinder engine and offering the VJ3 version at a lower price, the Jeepsters did not draw many new buyers.

However, as rough of a start as this was for the Jeepster, this wasn't the end of the story for it. In the 1960s the name would be revived for the Jeepster Commando and be met with much more enthusiasm.