9781422278192

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farmers, ranchers, foresters, and others in similar occupations, many of them ex-servicemen who knew the jeep as a battle-tested friend, an old war buddy. In the fall of 1946, Willys launched the Jeep all-steel station wagon, whose exterior metal ribbing and color scheme curiously counterfeited those of the genuine Woody-style wooden station wagons. At roughly the same time, Dodge entered the lists with its own rival Power Wagon. In 1949 Willys debuted the 463 station wagon, updating its previous 2 wd Jeep wagon with an optional 4 wd capacity. Dodge’s Power Wagon and the 463 4 wd Jeep Wagon were important entries in the quickly expanding 4X4 market, foreshadowing the Jeep Cherokee and Toyota 4Runner, among other midsize 4 wd wagons.

This nicely styled 1948 Willys Jeepster is a forerunner of things to come. The dress-up model features chrome detailing and a luxe interior, while retaining practical

front and rear fender extended mud flaps.

The Jeepster was the sport version of the Willys line. The 1950 version had a Hurricane F-head four-cylinder 90-hp engine. The one-piece windshield had become standard for all Jeeps in the previous model year.

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