Going Commando: A Look Back at the Kaiser Jeepster

Before discussing the model in question–the Kaiser/AMC Jeepster Commando–let’s first revisit the original Jeepster. In 1948, before Kaiser took ownership of Willys-Overland, Willys debuted its first foray into the passenger car market: The Willys Jeepster. This soft-top, 2wd sedan aimed at competitors like the Ford Super Deluxe; however, it lacked the power and refinement of the V8-powered Ford. 

Regarding styling, the Willys Jeepster also missed the mark. Due to Willy’s limited manufacturing ability, the company couldn't produce the sweeping radiuses of its competitors; instead, relying on the same flat-fenders, angular tub, and stamped steel grille of its pickups and civilian Jeeps. 

Due to its underpowered powertrain, oddly utilitarian appearance, and lack of roll-up windows, the Willys Jeepster officially ended production in 1950 after only two years and just over 19,000 units sold.

The Kaiser-Jeep Jeepster Commando (C-101)

The model remained virtually unchanged until 1972, two years after American Motors (AMC) purchased Jeep from Kaiser. After the acquisition, AMC opted to revamp the Jeepster Commando to better compete with the current market. The model received a stretched 104-inch wheelbase, redesigned the front clip, beefy 4.2L I6, and 5.0L V8 powertrains, and dropped the “Jeepster” moniker from its name, resulting in the 1972–1972 C-104 Jeep Commando. 

AMC produced just under 20,000 C-104 spec Commandos between 1972 and 1973 before ultimately discontinuing the model for the 1974 catalog.

The Hurst Jeepster

Between AMC’s acquisition of Jeep and its debuting of the redesigned C-104 Jeepster, an all-new special-edition Jeepster emerged to breathe life into the Commando’s dwindling sales numbers. In 1971, AMC found just that in its partnership with legendary automotive performance company Hurst, resulting in the 1971 Hurst Jeepster. 

The Hurst Jeepster is essentially an aesthetic package, as the same Dauntless V6 used in standard Commandos could be found beneath the Hurst edition's hood. Standard exterior features include:

• A gleaming champagne white paint job

• Stylish red and blue stripe graphics

• Lustrous chrome bumpers

• A roof rack

• A hood scoop with an integrated tachometer

• Widened steel wheels with Goodyear Polyglass tires. 

In the cabin, the Hurst Jeepster received a sporty Hurst-specific steering wheel, an iconic T-handle shifter on manuals or a console-mounted Hurst dual-gate shifter on automatics, and “Hurst Powered” badging on the dashboard. 

This one-year-only package is often viewed as one of, if not the rarest, production Jeep. The original plan between the two companies was a highly-limited run of approximately 500 Hurst Jeepsters, including an estimated 300 automatics and 200 manuals; however, only somewhere between 100 and 103 special editions were produced in 1971. 

Legacy and Current Value

While the Jeepster Commando doesn’t have the acclaim of Jeep’s other early civilian models, it’s undoubtedly a Jeep at heart. From its familiar sheet metal to its iconic F-head powertrain, the Jeepster Commando is cut from the same cloth as similar-era CJ chassis, just with a bit longer wheelbase, slightly different styling, and some enticing amenities, like doors and roll-up windows.  

Like most classic chassis, rarity determines value. In the world of Jeep models, the Jeepster Commando is up there with the most uncommon. In the Commando's seven-year production run, including the original Kaiser C-101 and the AMC C-104, only around 77-78 thousand were produced. While not overwhelmingly scarce, that’s a relatively low figure compared to the nearly 1.5 million Jeep CJs manufactured over the years. 

And if you’re looking for the rarest of the rare, browse the internet for one of the only 100 or so Hurst Commandos produced in 1971. But just how much money will you have to shell out to own such a rare piece of Jeep history? 

Standard Commandos significantly vary in price, with borderline scrap metal going for a few thousand. Pristine examples have gone for as high as 35 thousand+, though the average appears to be between 10 and 15 thousand; that’s without accounting for the Hurst package! 

On average, the Hurst package seems to land at the high end of the spectrum. In recent years, we’ve seen several listings within the 18 to 25 thousand range; who knows if they sold for that much, but that’s where owners priced them.

Ultimately, the Jeepster Commando holds a special place in Jeep’s history. Regardless of the model’s success, it gave way to more spacious and luxurious 4WD SUVs in Jeep’s lineup, like the Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wagoneer. If you find a moderately-priced example while browning for your next Jeep project, it might be a worthwhile investment; however, if you spot a white Commando with red and blue trimmings and a hood scoop, run to the ATM faster than you can say, "Hurst!"