1949 Willys-Overland Jeepster

When John North Willys acquired the Overland Automotive Division in 1908, he did not anticipate the monumental impact it would have on the automotive landscape. From 1912 to 1918, Willys stood as the United States' second-largest automobile producer, trailing only Ford. After the war, Willys-Overland introduced the new 1948 Jeepster to the public in July 1948.

This lovely 1949 example is the recipient of a no-expense-spared restoration by Jeepster Jim of Florida — the go-to place for Jeepster restorations, having completed over 250 examples for clients and museums around the world. The entire vehicle was stripped to bare metal and given three coats of primer, two coats of Dupont base coat, and three coats of Dupont clear coat, resulting in an eye-catching mint color that pairs nicely with the new interior, new convertible top, and new chrome. Nothing was overlooked: all-new glass, rubber, wiring, and all mechanical components were rebuilt or replaced.

The 62-horsepower L-134 straight-four engine and three-speed manual transmission with overdrive run smoothly. With a reported wait time of almost two years to have Jeepster Jim restore a Jeepster, these examples are very hard to come by. This is the 220th Jeepster restored by Jeepster Jim.