1950 Willy's-Overland Jeepster Concourse Restoration (Phaeton/Convertible)

We found this rare 1950 Willy's-Overland Jeepster VJ-473 being stored in a heated barn in North Dakota for many years, ought it for nearly$10,000, nd had it shipped to Michigan. We put $5,700 into it to get it "driveable". Having had so much fun driving it and knowing what an important part of history this was, e decided toinvest in making it concourse ready. We shipped it to Florida and put nearly $39,000 into it where no expense was spared ...and it is beautiful! Since that time, ehave only driven it 126 miles and it has been stored in our heated garage in.
After World War II, eep trademark owner, illys, elieved that the market for the military-type Jeep would be limited to farmers and foresters, herefore they began producing the "CJ" (or Civilian Jeep) to fill this growing segment. Willys then began producing the new Jeep Wagon in 1946, nd then the Jeep Truck in 1947. Realizing a gap in their product lineup, illys developed the Jeepster to crossover from their "utilitarian" type truck vehicles, o the passenger automobile market. In the process, he automaker developed the Jeepster, one of America's most daring postwar automobile designs." Willys-Overland lacked the machinery to form deep-drawn fenders or complicated shapes, o 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, s well as a sporty two-door open car that he envisioned as a sports car for veterans of World War II. The 1950 model year saw the first styling revisions that included a redesigned front end featuring a V-shaped grille with horizontal chrome trim, nd a new dashboard. New engines and designations dependent on what part of the year it was. Early 1950s four-cylinder Jeepsters were VJ-3 463, nd the straight-six Jeepsters were VJ-3 663. The later-year Jeepsters were VJ-473 and VJ-673, espectively.Total 1950 Jeepster production was 5,845 units, f which 4,066 were four-cylinder models and 1,779 were sixes.This is the last phaeton made my a major automotive manufacturer.
Here is a list of work completed during the restoration:
Body and Paint ($9,500) Under coating ($950) Floor pans and rockers Chassi restoration ($3,000) Engine work ($1,200) Trans and rear end Complete New Chrome ($5,400) Steering wheel restoration New wiring ($950) (2) seat belts New Interior and carpet (Tan/Tan) ($2,100) New top New Side Curtains New parts ($4,200) New tire and hub caps and rings ($2,400) All new glass and rubber All new interior panels Drive shaft repair Steering box repair New turn signals Gauge restoration Chrome steering column ($1,200) Dash trim Replace Shifter box New Visors Floor pans, ust repair, oth sides New Clutch 12 Volt Voltage Reg Gauge Restoration Rail Switch Water pump Steering wheel restoration Plugs and Wires Head light bulbs / 12 volt 12V-6V Convertor Heater Heater Switch Heater Value hoses and clamps New wood top bow rear tack strip for top Install top / Boot Wiper motor rebuild Balance Paid for Restoration: $38,908.25