Jeepster Commando#C101

Kaiser Jeep revived the Jeepster nameplate, introducing the Jeepster Commando (C101) in January 1967.{{cite web|url= https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1967-1973-jeepster-commando.htm |author=((Auto Editors of Consumer Guide)) |title=Introduction to the 1967-1973 Jeepster Commando |date=30 October 2007 |website=auto.howstuffworks.com |access-date=22 March 2025}} The company had limited resources to design an all-new vehicle given the small market segment at that time. Kaiser was able to develop the new model by revising some of the tooling from the 1948 through 1951 Willys-Overland Jeepster and using the {{convert|104|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} wheelbase chassis from the CJ-6. This iteration was designed to compete in the burgeoning recreational vehicle market that now included the International Scout and Ford Bronco.

The C101 was initially powered by the F-head {{convert|134|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} "Hurricane" I4 engine, a descendant of the original "Go Devil engine" used in World War II Jeeps. An optional {{convert|225|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} "Dauntless" V6 engine was also available and proved popular. Four-wheel drive was a standard feature, enhancing the vehicle's off-road capabilities.

The C101 was offered in various body styles, including a station wagon with a full-length metal hardtop, a convertible with a soft top, a pickup truck, and a roadster with optional half- or full-length soft tops. The deluxe station wagon model featured sliding rear windows, full interior trim, and optional two-tone exterior paint. Three trim levels were offered: the "Jeepster" (also referred to as "Revival Jeepster" or "Jeepster Convertible"), the "Commando Convertible," and the open-body roadster. The "Jeepster" was the flagship model, featuring deluxe interior appointments, a powered convertible top, and an optional Continental tire kit. The "Commando Convertible" offered the same body style with more basic equipment.

Following the acquisition of the Jeep brand in 1970 by American Motors Corporation (AMC), the Commando continued production.

Engines:

• 1966–1971: F134 Hurricane I4 {{convert|134|CID|L|1|abbr=on}}, {{convert|75|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} at 4000 rpm and {{convert|114|lb·ft|N·m|0|abbr=on}} of torque at 2000 rpm.

• 1966–1971: Dauntless 225 V6 {{convert|225|CID|L|1|abbr=on}}, {{convert|3.75|in|mm|abbr=on}} bore, {{convert|3.40|in|mm|abbr=on}} stroke, {{convert|160|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|235|lb·ft|N·m|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url= http://www.jeeptech.com/engine/dauntless225.html |title=Jeep Engine Dauntless: Buick 225 V6 |accessdate=2008-04-30 |last= |first= |date= |website=jeeptech.com}}

File:1971 Hurst Jeepster wagon factory modifications by Hurst Performance at Rambler Ranch 1of5.jpg ]]

A notable variant is the 1971 Hurst Jeepster, a limited-edition model produced by AMC in collaboration with Hurst Performance. It featured a Champagne White exterior with distinctive red and blue stripes, a roof rack, a sports steering wheel, and Goodyear G70x15 raised white letter tires on wider steel wheels. Hurst modifications included special exterior badging, an 8,000-rpm tachometer mounted on the hood scoop, and a Hurst T-handle shifter for manual transmission models or a console-mounted Hurst Dual-Gate shifter for automatic transmission models.

The Hurst Jeepster included many muscle car styling cues and while the appearance and Hurst name promised performance, the model was a C101 with the {{convert|225|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} V6 engine with two-barrel carburetor. It is estimated that 100 were produced and was the last vehicle with Hurst/AMC collaboration. The Hurst Jeepster is now considered one of the rarest production Jeeps.{{cite web|url= https://www.hemmings.com/stories/the-forgotten-hurst-1971-jeepster/ |last=Foster |first=Pat |title=The Forgotten Hurst - 1971 Jeepster |work=Hemmings Muscle Machines |date=August 29, 2024 |access-date=March 5, 2025}}

File:1970 Jeepster Commando.jpg|1970 Jeepster Commando

File:COMMANDO JEEP.jpg|Jeepster Commando hardtop

File:1971 Jeepster Commando SC-1 pickup orange b-Cecil'10.jpg|1971 Jeepster Commando SC-1 pickup

File:1971 Jeepster Commando SC-1 pickup orange i-Cecil'10.jpg|1971 Jeepster Commando interior

File:Jeep Commando C-104.jpg

The 1972 and 1973 model years represent the second generation of the Jeep Commando, known internally as the C104. The new version was a significant departure from the previous C101 due to the changes implemented after AMC acquired Jeep in 1970.

The "Jeepster" part of the name was removed; it was now called the Jeep Commando. Most noticeable was a new front end that departed from the traditional Jeep grille. The Commando now features a "conventional" full-width egg crate-type grille that mimicked that of the larger Chevrolet K5 Blazer.{{cite book|url= https://www.google.com/books/edition/Jeep_Color_History/dR3wmKlfnrMC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=1972+Jeep+Commando&pg=PA85&printsec=frontcover |pages=80-85 |title=Jeep Color History |first=Steve |last=Statham |date=1999 |publisher=Motorbooks |isbn=9781610590556 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |via=Google books}} This redesign has described as the most uncharacteristic of what was expected of Jeep styling.

The more substantial front end was one of the many upgrades to accommodate the longer and more powerful AMC engines. Replacing the I4 and V6 were {{convert|232|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} or {{convert|258|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} AMC Straight-6 or the {{convert|304|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}} AMC V8 engine. The wheelbase was also extended to {{convert|104|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} to fit the new engines and this helped to improved the ride and increase legroom. Four-wheel-drive with a two-speed transfer case remained standard features, emphasizing the Commando's off-road heritage and capability.

Other enhancements included wider tread and a stronger frame.{{cite web|url= https://jeepster-commando.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Jeep-Commando-1972-USA.pdf |title='Jeep' 1972. 'Jeep' Commando (brochure) |website=jeepster-commando.com |access-date=April 10, 2025}} The rear flanged-shaft rear axle was strengthened along with an increased capacity open-end front axle and ball-joint ends. The turning diameter was shortened with new steering box and linkage also reduced steering effort. A new rear-mounted gas tank provided an additional {{convert|5|gal|L|1|abbr=off}} capacity to {{convert|16.5|gal|L|1|abbr=off}}. Along with the bigger engines, the 1972 Commando featured larger drum brakes.

The 1973 models were essentially unchanged except for including larger-sized tires as standard equipment.

Engines:

• 1971–1972: AMC 232 I6— {{convert|232|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}},{{cite web |url= http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/engineappchart.jpg |title=Engine application chart |accessdate=2008-04-30 |last= |first= |date= |work= |publisher= |archive-date=2012-02-17 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120217104931/http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/engineappchart.jpg |url-status=dead }} {{convert|3.750|in|mm|abbr=on}} bore, {{convert|3.500|in|mm|abbr=on}} stroke, {{convert|100|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|185|lb·ft|N·m|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web |url= http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/enginespecchart.jpg |title=General Engine Specifications |accessdate=2008-04-30 |last= |first= |date= |work= |publisher= |archive-date=2012-03-14 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120314062542/http://www.matadorcoupe.com/images/enginespecchart.jpg |url-status=dead }}
• 1971–1972: AMC 258 I6—{{convert|258|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}}, {{convert|3.750|in|mm|abbr=on}} bore, {{convert|3.895|in|mm|abbr=on}} stroke
• 1971–1973: AMC–304 V8—{{convert|304|cuin|L|1|abbr=on}}, {{convert|3.750|in|mm|abbr=on}} bore, {{convert|3.753|in|mm|abbr=on}} stroke 1971: {{convert|210|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}, 1972: {{convert|150|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}

The Jeepster Commando is significant in Jeep's history despite its relatively short production run. It bridged the gap between the early military-derived Jeeps and the later, more refined recreational vehicles now called SUVs. The Commando also offered diverse body styles and off-road capabilities contributing to the evolution of the Jeep brand and wide variety of models. By the 1970s, the market had shifted to larger-sized four-wheel-drive vehicles. The compact Commando was discontinued and replaced by the full-size Jeep Cherokee (SJ) (a two-door version of the Wagoneer) introduced for the 1974 model year. The longer wheelbase CJ-7 was introduced to fill the compact market segment occupied by the Commando as well as the Scrambler CJ-8 with a {{convert|103.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} wheelbase.

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Jeepster Commando}}

• [http://www.jeepstercommandoclub.com/ The Jeepster Commando Club of America]
• [http://www.vintagejeeps.net/ Vintage Jeeps]
• [http://www.americanjeepsterclub.org/ American Jeepster Club]

{{Jeep early timeline}}

{{Jeep}}

Category:1960s cars

Category:1970s cars

Category:American Motors

Category:Jeep vehicles

Category:Kaiser Motors

Category:Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States

Category:Trucks of the United States

Category:Vehicles introduced in 1966