4X4 SHOWDOWN: THE JEEPSTER COMMANDO

By: Brandon Workman from huckberry

The Jeep brand has existed since World War II. Its vehicles drove the Allied forces to victory and in 1945, the year the war ended, Jeep rolled out its first civilian model. Often hailed as America’s first SUV, the Jeep enjoyed early success.

But before long in a still-fledgling 4×4 industry, Jeep began to feel the squeeze from Toyota’s Land Cruise, International's Scout, and Ford’s Bronco. Jeep needed a midsize 4×4 to keep pace. The answer? The 1967 Jeepster Commando.

While the new Commando debuted in a range of styles (Roadster, Pick-Up, Station Wagon, and the curious Convertible), they amounted to little more than roof differences. And with a drab interior, the Jeepster Commando confirmed it wasn’t out to win any styling awards.

No, the Jeepster was built purely to perform.

Underneath, the vehicle sat on a 101-inch wheelbase chassis, which was from Jeep’s popular CJ-6. Two engine choices were available: the standard “Hurricane” engine was a 75-horsepower four-banger. And then there was the more powerful (and much preferred) “Dauntless V-6” a 225-cubic inch, 160-horsepower engine. Four-wheel drive came standard.

Jeep was confirming its legacy: capable vehicles built for any terrain—or, in their terms: theToughest 4-Letter Word on Wheels.

Without the deep pockets of a Toyota or Ford, the Jeepster Commando was an all-in bet on the future of the Jeep brand, and it delivered. Critical reception was exceptionally positive.

Motor Trend commented: Off-road traction: in every respect, excellent.

And then-well-known auto writer Jim Dunne, perhaps most tellingly, stated: I'm still amazed at how easy it is to get through snow drifts, banks, and mounds. I went out of my way to think up tough tests, but nowhere did the Jeepster have any difficulty in keeping going.

Ultimately, though, nothing gold can stay. The Jeepster Commando enjoyed a respectable run through the 1973 model year, but with the market moving in favor of the larger vehicles, such as Chevy’s Blazer, it was retired. The year following it was replaced by the Cherokee, which enjoyed a proud run of its own.

However, the Jeepster Commando was not and is not forgotten: enthusiast clubs remain and models still trade for multiples of what the car originally sold for. But in our mind, the Jeepster Commando remains priceless.

Photos via Chrystler Group LLC.