Jeep Jeepster Commando
Specs, engines and history
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By Felix Hartmann, Automotive Technology & EV Contributor
The Jeepster Commando was Jeep's compact four-wheel-drive leisure vehicle of 1966 to 1973, built in Toledo, Ohio, first by Kaiser Jeep and from 1970 by American Motors (AMC). It revived the Jeepster name of 1948–1950 and was offered as a roadster, pickup, convertible and wagon to compete with the Ford Bronco and International Scout. AMC renamed and redesigned it as the Jeep Commando for 1972, and the full-size Cherokee replaced it for 1974.
In short
- 77,573 built: 57,350 of the C101 Jeepster Commando (1966–1971) and 20,223 of the C104 Commando (1972–1973).
- Four-wheel drive standard; 101 in (2,565 mm) wheelbase, stretched to 104 in (2,642 mm) for 1972.
- Engines: 2.2-litre Hurricane four, Buick-derived 3.7-litre Dauntless V6, and from AMC 3.8 and 4.2 sixes and a 5.0 V8.
- Prices in 1967 ran from US$2,466 for the roadster to US$3,186 for the convertible.
Jeepster Commando at a glance
| Item | Jeepster Commando / Jeep Commando |
|---|---|
| Makers | Kaiser Jeep (1966–1970), American Motors (1970–1973) |
| Plants | Toledo, Ohio; also VIASA in Zaragoza, Spain |
| Production | 1966–1973 (model years 1967–1973) |
| Codes | C101 Jeepster Commando, C104 Commando |
| Body styles | roadster, pickup, convertible, two-door wagon |
| Drive | four-wheel drive, standard |
| Wheelbase | 101 in (2,565 mm); 104 in (2,642 mm) from 1972 |
| Number built | 77,573 |
| Predecessor / successor | Willys Jeepster (1948–1950) / Jeep Cherokee SJ (1974) |
The Commando belongs to the Jeep catalogue, and its place in the brand's story is explained in our history of Jeep.
Development and production history
The original Willys-Overland Jeepster of 1948–1950 was an open car with rear-wheel drive only; 19,132 were built. Kaiser Jeep revived the name for a new line introduced in January 1967 (some production is recorded for 1966). It used a 101-inch wheelbase chassis from the CJ-6 but had steel doors, roll-up windows, a car-type instrument panel and standard four-wheel drive. It was smaller and cheaper than the Wagoneer and aimed at the new market for leisure 4x4s, where the Ford Bronco and International Scout were its rivals.
AMC bought Kaiser's Jeep business in 1970 and re-engineered the car with its own engines. The Jeepster name was dropped after 1971, and the 1972 Jeep Commando (C104) got a longer wheelbase and a full-width grille. Production ended in 1973.
| Year | Event | Production |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | first C101 cars built | 2,345 |
| January 1967 | official introduction of the Jeepster Commando line | 12,621 |
| 1968 | hinged tailgate and revised top for the convertible | 13,924 |
| 1969 | – | 11,289 |
| 1970 | AMC buys Kaiser Jeep | 9,268 |
| 1971 | Hurst Jeepster; last year of the Jeepster name | 7,903 |
| 1972 | Jeep Commando C104, 104 in wheelbase, AMC engines | 10,685 |
| 1973 | larger tyres standard; final year | 9,538 |
Design and engineering
The C101 had slab sides and a more car-like interior than the CJ. The flagship "Jeepster" convertible had a powered top and an optional Continental spare-wheel kit, two-tone paint and vinyl bucket seats; the "Commando" convertible was simpler, and the roadster had an optional half or full soft top. The wagon had a full-length steel hardtop with sliding rear windows.
For 1972 the C104 received a full-width egg-crate grille modelled on the Chevrolet K5 Blazer, a wider track, a stronger frame, a stronger rear axle and a heavier front axle with ball-joint ends. The steering box and linkage were revised for a smaller turning circle, the drum brakes grew, and a rear-mounted 62.5-litre (16.5 US gal) fuel tank replaced the smaller one. A two-speed transfer case was standard.
Engine and drivetrain
| Engine | Years | Power (gross) | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane F-head I4, 134 cu in (2.2 l) | 1966–1971 | 56 kW (75 hp) at 4,000 rpm | 155 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Dauntless 225 V6, 225 cu in (3.7 l) | 1966–1971 | 119 kW (160 hp); Consumer Guide: 116 kW (155 bhp) | 319 Nm |
| AMC 232 I6 (3.8 l) | 1971–1972 | 75 kW (100 hp) | 251 Nm |
| AMC 258 I6 (4.2 l) | 1971–1972 | not given | not given |
| AMC 304 V8 (5.0 l) | 1971–1973 | 157 kW (210 hp) in 1971; 112 kW (150 hp) in 1972 | not given |
The Dauntless V6 was a Buick design; General Motors had sold the tooling to Kaiser Jeep. After the oil crisis, AMC sold the tooling back to GM, where the engine continued as the 3800 V6. Wikipedia lists the V8 at 157 kW (210 hp) for 1971 and 112 kW (150 hp) for 1972. Car Life tested a V6 Jeepster at 12.6 s from 0 to 60 mph and a top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph).
Jeepster Commando specifications
| Parameter | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase C101 / C104 | 2,565 / 2,642 mm | 101 / 104 in |
| Engines | 2.2–5.0 l | 134–304 cu in |
| Power range | 56–157 kW (gross) | 56–157 kW (75–210 hp gross) |
| Fuel tank (C104) | 62.5 l | 16.5 US gal |
| Top speed (V6, Car Life) | 140 km/h | 87 mph |
| Drive | 4x4, two-speed transfer case (1972–1973) | – |
Our sources do not give weights or exterior dimensions, so they are left out.
Variants and derivatives
| Variant | Years | Body / purpose | Engine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeepster convertible | 1967–1971 | top model, powered soft top | I4 or V6 | US$3,186 in 1967, US$3,442 in 1968; 422 built in 1968 |
| Commando roadster | 1967–1971 | open body, optional soft top | I4 or V6 | US$2,466 in 1967 |
| Commando pickup | 1967–1973 | small pickup | I4, V6, AMC engines | US$2,548 in 1967 |
| Commando wagon | 1967–1973 | steel hardtop | I4, V6, AMC engines | US$2,749 in 1967 |
| Hurst Jeepster | 1971 | special edition with Hurst Performance | 225 V6 | about 100 built |
| Jeep Commando C104 | 1972–1973 | redesigned front, longer wheelbase | AMC I6 and V8 | 20,223 built |
The Hurst Jeepster was the last joint project of AMC and Hurst: Champagne White paint with red and blue stripes, a roof rack, a hood-scoop tachometer reading to 8,000 rpm and a Hurst shifter. Its engine was the standard V6 with a two-barrel carburettor.
In service and legacy
The Commando sold about 11,000 cars a year on average. AMC replaced it with the two-door Cherokee SJ for 1974; the long-wheelbase CJ-7 and the CJ-8 Scrambler later filled the compact segment. The idea of a comfortable, open leisure 4x4 survives in today's Jeep Wrangler.
Preservation and collecting today
The rarest versions are the Hurst Jeepster (about 100 cars) and the 1968 convertible, of which only 422 were built. Our sources do not list typical rust areas or mechanical faults, so an inspection by a Jeep specialist is advisable before buying. More American classics are in our classics section.
Photo gallery
Jeep Jeepster Commando photos 6
FAQ
When was the Jeepster Commando produced, and where?
From 1966 to 1973 in Toledo, Ohio, by Kaiser Jeep and, from 1970, by AMC; VIASA also built it in Spain.
How many Jeepster Commandos were built?
77,573: 57,350 C101 Jeepster Commandos and 20,223 C104 Jeep Commandos.
What engine does the Jeepster Commando have?
The 2.2-litre Hurricane four or the 3.7-litre Dauntless V6; the 1971–1973 AMC cars had 3.8 and 4.2-litre sixes or a 5.0-litre V8.
What variants of the Jeepster Commando were made?
Roadster, pickup, convertible and wagon, the 1971 Hurst Jeepster, and the redesigned Jeep Commando of 1972–1973.
Is the Jeepster Commando collectable?
Yes, especially the convertibles and the Hurst Jeepster; check the frame and body for rust and whether the engine is original.
