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1967 Kaiser Jeep Jeepster Commando Roadster on 2040-cars

Year:1967 Mileage:59550
Location:

Paso Robles, California, United States

Paso Robles, California, United States

This eye catching Kaiser Jeepster Commando Roadster was ordered brand new by Kaiser Engineer Robert Bernard right after they were introduced for the first model year in 1967, painted in President Red with Rawhide Trim.  
I have the original Purchase Order Form, listing the options of the Dauntless V-6 engine (160 HP), Suburbanite White Sidewall Tires, Rear Seat with seat belts, Fresh-Air Heater and Defroster, Trim Package "A", Locking Differential, Air Injector System (Smog), Heavy Duty Suspension - Rear Only, Radio and Antenna (Transistorized), Safari Top and Boot, #100-2 Selective Drive Hubs, and "Husky" Tire Mount, for a whopping total of $3227.50 with California Tax and the special pricing for a Kaiser Engineer.  It was ordered through the Oakland Kaiser Center, and delivered through the Cochran & Celli dealership in Oakland to Robert, and it still sports the original dealership license plate frame on the back.  Note that it of course originally was a "black plate" California car, but Robert replaced them with personalized blue plates in the 70s, so when I acquired it regular current white California state plates were assigned to it...some of the older registrations in the file show the black plate letters and numbers of the originally assigned license plates.
Robert and his family carefully maintained and enjoyed it for the next 43 years, primarily using it as a summer fun cruiser at their Lake Tahoe vacation home.  My wife and I have many fond memories of off-roading and camping with a 1968 Jeepster that we owned for about 5 years in the early 80s, and when we found this one available for sale, for the first time since new in 2010, we purchased it.
I was amazed at the condition and documentation that came with it, and only performed relatively minor maintenance to it, as it hadn't been driven much in the few years before we acquired it.  After perusing every receipt from the file of 43 years of service documentation, I realized the actual mileage was less than 60,000, and the engine runs like you would expect for such relatively low mileage, i.e., very well!
In the four years we've owned it, I've replaced the heater core and hoses, battery and cables, replaced an older after market stereo with a good Alpine AM/FM/CD with USB/Ipod attachment in glove box, flushed & replaced the brake fluid, replaced the shock absorbers, starter motor, alternator, and of course it's had a proper tune up and oil change.  While it's not the stock stereo, the only speakers are parked in back on each inside corner side of the tailgate, so no speaker holes were ever cut into the doors or any of the interior panels.

It's quite peppy, and runs close to how I would imagine it did when brand new!  The "odd-fire" Buick sourced V6 has a unique sound and decent torque.  While the option list is long for a first year Jeepster Commando, note that it does not have power steering or brakes, and this first year transmission is not synchronized in first gear.  With that being said, it's also relatively light, steers and brakes easily, and is fun to drive!
It's stock with the following exceptions...
-The stereo as noted previously
-The chrome open element air filter, but I do have an original black oil bath air cleaner that goes with it
-An under dash switch that can change from the stock horn to an "aooga" horn or calliope air horn, as seen in the pictures under the hood

The Good...
-Body is very straight, California car from new to now, no rust, and no evidence of ever having been in an accident that I can see
-Runs great, starts up even after I've had it garaged and covered for a month or more (I do keep it on a Battery Tender)
-Interior is very nice, no rips, stains, torn carpet or dash, and I believe it's all original; good glass and windows go up and down easily
-Everything works; lights, gauges, wipers, stereo, heater, four wheel drive & assortment of horns  :)
-It's very sharp, and always garners approving comments; it's a great conversation starter when you pull up in it!

The Not Quite So Good...
-As noted above, aside from the paint job 15 years ago, it's never been restored...the undercarriage is original; no rust out, but it's dirty and has surface rust in some areas...also has a preserved field mouse head sticking out of the front driver's frame rail that kids & adults love & I haven't yet removed...it came with the vehicle!
-The tires look great, and have no cracks and adequate tread,  but are pretty old now and should be replaced if any high speed driving is anticipated.

I'm putting this up for sale because I purchased a modified 1968 Jeepster last year that I'm now restoring to actually do some off-roading and camping again, and I didn't have the heart to take this one off road.  We have a number of older cars, and I realized I am just not using this enough, and hope that there might be another passionate Jeepster fan out there who would enjoy this.  We don't have to sell it, but if we get what I think is a reasonable bid considering the rarity and original condition of this Jeepster, that means it's over our reserve and will sell.  Otherwise, I'll just keep it safe, and occasionally drive it as I do now.  Don't bother asking about the reserve, just bid what you think it's worth to you, and if hits the reserve, you'll know it!
If it does sell, I hope the new owner(s) will enjoy it as much as we have, I'm confident it will provide another 47 years of enjoyment if it continues to be maintained as it has been.  It is, however, offered as is, where is, and with no warranty.  I am open to inspections from serious bidders, but this must be done before the end of the auction.  Any bidders with less than 10 Ebay feedback must contact me first, or I reserve the right to cancel the bid.  This Jeepster is offered for sale in other local arenas, and if it happens to sell, I reserve the right to end the auction...
A $!000 deposit by the winning bidder must be paid by Paypal within 48 hours of winning the auction, and the balance must be paid to me by check, cash, or wire transfer within 7 days of the auction end.  The car will not be released until all funds have cleared my bank, and I'm not interested in scams, such as sending checks to cover shipping, etc, so don't even ask.  I am willing to hold the car at no charge for the winning bidder for up to three weeks, as long as all funds have cleared ahead of time, and can make it available for your shipper at your expense, again, as long as all funds have first cleared my bank. You can contact me through Ebay, or call or leave a message at (80five)21eight-550three.  I'm not interested in texting, and I do have a business, so if you miss me, please leave a detailed message, and I'd be glad to return the call.  Thank you for viewing our auction!

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Auto blog

Auto critic calls out Corvette, Mustang and Cherokee faithful

Mon, 26 Aug 2013

Most automotive purists fear change, but not without reason. Change, after all, did kill big-block V8s, along with most station wagons and manual transmissions. But change has also brought with it far more performance, safety and fuel economy - not to mention ridding the world of shag carpet interiors, bias-ply tires and those horrible motorized seatbelts of the early '90s.
By this time next year, the Chevy Corvette, Jeep Cherokee and next-generation Ford Mustang will all be on sale and will all, in some way, have angered or offended purists. To those critics, Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press is preemptively telling them to stop complaining - at least until they've all been driven. From the Corvette's square taillights and the Cherokee's radical nose to whatever pony car purists will harp on the 2015 Mustang for, Phelan's column points out the positives of automotive evolution and the negatives of staying the course for too long. That's fair enough, but do you think Phelan is on point, or all wet? Head on over to the Detroit Free Press to read his words, then have your say in Comments.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT gets power increase, minor tweaks for 2015

Tue, 02 Sep 2014

As a brand within Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, SRT may have an uncertain future, but it's pumping out some seriously mean machines anyway. The supercharged Hellcat V8 may be gobbling up most of the headlines with its 707 horsepower, but even the Grand Cherokee SRT is getting some small updates for the 2015 model year.
Most importantly for many enthusiasts, the Grand Cherokee SRT is getting a slight power bump. Don't expect the 700+ hp from the Hellcat, but this SUV sees a modest 5-hp and 5-pound-feet of torque improvement to bring output to 475 hp and 470 lb-ft for its 6.4-liter V8 with an eight-speed automatic. The minor change doesn't change the sprint to 60 miles per hour, clocking in at the same 4.8 seconds, or the tow rating at 7,200 pounds. Still, more grunt is never a bad idea.
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2016 Jeep Wrangler to ditch solid axles to save weight?

Tue, 29 Oct 2013

Hey, Jeep fans. If you think the idea of a funky-looking, car-based Cherokee revival is offensive, have a listen to what might be in store for the next-gen Jeep Wrangler. Automotive News is reporting that as Jeep develops the 2016 Wrangler, weight reduction is a crucial target, and the Wrangler's rugged solid axles could be sacrificed in the name of better fuel economy.
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There are probably still a couple years before we'll start hearing any concrete details about the 2016 Wrangler, at which time it will be interesting to see how stricter fuel economy and crash safety regulations have been balanced with traditional Wrangler cues like its removable doors and roof and folding windshield. Let us know in the comments below if a Wrangler sans solid axles is any less of a Wrangler.