Used 1948 Willys Jeepster for sale in Fort Worth, TX

A 1948 Willys Jeepster is already quite distinctive. So when attractive vintage looks meet a solid V8 upgrade - and it's all offered at an affordable price - then you already know this is a sweet deal. You're looking at a lot of firsts. After all, the Jeepster is the original SUV/crossover. While all Jeepsters are a rare sight these days, you get the distinction of a 1948 model - it's first year ever. So the history has appeal even before you check out the details. But the details are great too: the painted centered waterfall grille, big chrome front bumper, the pinstripe encircling the body, and those proper Jeep fender flares all give this classic car distinction. The red paint isn't a show-piece by any means, in fact it's seen better days, but the steel body is solid and the canvas is ready to be enjoyed as-is, or it can be taken up a couple notches to really shine. And it's a true roadster all the way, with no top included, so plan your trips accordingly because this is a fair-weather cruiser! Inside you get more vintage style with twin low-back bucket seats wrapped in black vinyl and an augmented Willys dash. The door panels were wrapped to match the seats, the carpets are newer and plush, and because there are no rear seats, cargo space is expanded in this roadster. And you can instantly tell this one has some cool upgrades, too. For example, all the original gauges are gone, supplanted with a tachometer mounted on the windshield frame, a fuel gauge to the right of the steering wheel, and a set of three auxiliary units below the dash to monitor the engine's vitals. A 3-spoke Pilot steering wheel controls the show, a Sony AM/FM/CD/AUX head unit provides the open-air tunes, and the shifter in the floorboard manages the TH400 3-speed automatic transmission below. It's not a Bentley, but it's plenty comfortable and offers a great place to be on a sunny day. There's no replacement for displacement, so you'll love to lift the hood and see a Chevy small-block V8. This 283 cubic-inch unit is more than double the size of the original motor offered in the Jeepster, and this one has been topped with an Edelbrock 600CFM 4-barrel carburetor, an Edelbrock aluminum intake, and an HEI ignition system for added performance and dependability. Finned valve covers and a matching open-element air cleaner top the block, which has been painted red to help it pop out of the otherwise black engine bay. The motor exhales with a sweet tune as stock headers feed a Magnaflow dual exhaust system, providing plenty of rumble if you ever want to scare some beachgoers. The TH400 3-speed automatic transmission snaps smoothly through all the gears and means you can just sit back and enjoy the V8 and its soundtrack. Finishing the look is a set of staggered Prime 5-spoke rims wrapped in 185/55/15 front and 295/50/15 rear blackwall performance radials. Distinction, upgrades, and affordability - this little Jeepster has it all. So, it's time to stand out for all the right reasons. Call now!