1951 Willys Jeepster

Convertible

4 cylinder

Manual

VJ3P29571

Clear

Gasoline

I am honored and proud to offer for sale this beautiffully restored 1950 1/2 Willys- Overland Jeepster . I was approached several months ago by a wonderful family that has owned this piece of history since 1954. They owned a local drug store back in the early 50's and had hired an Airman who was the original owner of this car to deliver prescription drugs to their patients. The Airman used the Willys for several years to make these deliveries. After receiving transfer papers to go abroad he sold the car to the family. Joe and his wife Edith and their 6 children continued to use the car for deliveries and the kids all learned how to drive on it. Each generation would drive their younger brothers and sisters to school and various other activities. It was seen parked at the local High School for many years. One of the children even took it to Fresno State. The father, Joe, served as the mayor of Atwater, California twice and he also served as a member of the Atwater City Council. He Died in 1995 and the Jeep just kind of sat in the garage. His wife Edith said she has had lots of people who tried to buy it but she declined. The tired old jeep just sat in the garage collecting dust and started to become a catch all for all sorts of things. Edith soon wanted it out of the garage and after having it sit for so many years she decided it was time to bring it back to its original condition and gift this collector's classic to her children. It was delivered to Michael Bloed, a local professional Restorationist, in Merced, California who devoted his time and expertise and slaved away to bring new life to this well- known icon. Michael is described as a renaissance man who could very well be the guru of classic car restoration. More of a passion than a hobby, Mike lights up when he tells me about his time spent with a set of wheels he has come to know by parts, right down to every nut and bolt. "From stem to stern," Mike laughed, "when you do it all brand new, it's blind faith." With a book and a "crusty old fellow " ( a parts man in Howell, New Jersey who calls himself the Jeepmaster), Mike was able to restore the exterior and interior to its original form. Mike kept and recorded ever hour (1370 hours to be exact) and every receipt for parts and outside services. Mike said that Edith spent well over $38,000 to restore this car in memory of her late husband Joe. There is a complete photographic album and two very special bottles of private labeled wine that are included with the sale of this car. Mike has told me that he would be more than happy to talk to any prospective buyers of this car about specific details of the restoration he performed. Following the incredible restoration effort, Mike finished it just in time to drive Edith in the 2002 Forth of July parade in Atwater. Mike talked Edith into buying a brand new enclosed trailer to keep the car in so it would stay looking new for each parade to come. The family took it to the Concourse at Ironside and the car was given an honorable mention. The family has enjoyed showing it since in the local Atwater parade and have only driven it 32 miles since it's restoration was complete. History - The 1948-1951 Jeepster is a two-wheel-drive convertible designed by Brooks Stevens. Stevens and Willys hoped that returning World War II GIs would scoop up these fun-loving drop-tops as soon as they rolled off the assembly line. They are perhaps one the the most overlooked, but interesting, vehicles in the storied off-road maker's past; a sporty automobile rather than an off-road vehicle, never offered with four-wheel drive or in any commercial guises during the four year stint. This open-bodied car - an ever increasing rarity as the fifties neared- also has a spot in history as the last true phaeton offered by a major domestic automaker. When I received the car, delivered to my shop in its enclosed trailer, I unloaded it and my mechanic, Mark Buck, and I cleaned it up, checked all the mechanicals including installing a new fuel pump, battery, speedometer cable, flushing the gas tank and putting fresh high octane back in. We turned the key and she fired right up after sitting for over a year. She purrs like a kitty and drives like new. I am now proud to offer this great classic car with a truly amazing family story behind it. This is a Concourse restored car. Please feel free to email me any questions or to schedule an inspection and test drive. Good luck bidding!