RARE 6 cylinder Willys 673-VJ3 Jeepster 1 of 1779 Restored & parked for 20+ yrs

Description

First, I will be upfront and honest with any and all descriptions of this car. If you would like a picture of something, let me know; If you have a question, please ask. It absolutely infuriates me to buy misrepresented stuff over the internet so I refuse to sell stuff like that. Please read the entire ad before emailing questions.
This Jeepster is located in Elizabethtown, PA in a climate controlled garage (about 10 minutes away from me). Appointments to see the car can be made and are encouraged. It may take up to a day for me to get back to you with a specific picture request depending on what else is going on. Transportation from Harrisburg international airport can be arranged.
It is a passion and hobby of my fathers and mine to find classic cars (the weirder, the better) that have been stashed away from the public and bring them out of the garage. We (my dad is a master mechanic w/ 40+ years of wrenching behind him), a close family friend with decades of sales and automotive savvy, and I, get them running and driving and pass them on to people that are also passionate about saving them. I enjoy researching the cars history, writing, talking with people, and most of all working alongside my pops. We hardly ever finish a car or make decent money. You could consider us classic car matchmakers with short attention spans, lots of time, and bad business sense. As much as we love cars we can’t keep them all!
This Willys was a surprise garage find. In early 2015 A local family was selling a few cars to settle an estate and we were there to see another car. After failing to strike a deal I wandered over to a separate section of the garage and here was this Willys. It was covered in other car parts and had a heavy coating of nicotine and tar as this section of the garage was the smoking room. We looked it over and, needless to say, had to have it. Now, to the car…..
For your bidding consideration we have a RARE 1950 Willys VJ3-673 Jeepster. These were the last American built Phaetons. What makes this one rare is its a later model, second series, V-nose (only made for ~8 months). It is 1 of 1779, 1950 Jeepsters that came with the new bulletproof "Lightning" 161 cubic inch (up 13 cubes) flathead 6 cylinder with a blistering 75 hp, a huge 3 hp more than its predecessor. It wasn't the power that made these motors desirable; the shorter stroke 6 cylinder motors are much smoother than the long stroke 4 cylinder motors and could be driven at highway speeds with relative ease. This particular Jeepster is believed to sport its original motor and three speed transmission with optional overdrive. Although there is no method or documentation (that I know of) to verify engine serial numbers to VIN numbers on these VJ's, the serial number of the motor was used to verify that it was an early production unit which puts it in the correct production window of this Jeepster.
This VJ was originally titled in PA on 6/15/1950, which I believe would make it one of the earliest V-nose Jeepsters as the style and engine changeover happened in April 1950. It spent the last 20+ years in the garage where we found it. We towed it home and performed the usual “long storage” ritual. The fluids were changed, fuel tank and lines were flushed, carburetor rebuilt, new fuel pump installed, new points and condenser, and a fresh 6 volt battery. We had to find an air filter (not for a VJ) as the original had gone missing.
The motor fired right up, ran smooth and quiet with only the slightest smoke from its long slumber. All the lights and brakes work as does the charging system and the vacuum wipers (as well as vacuum wipers do). The engine has a retrofitted oil filtration system. The only fluid leak that could be found is a damp looking rear differential. This Jeepster runs and stops well.
Most of our time was spent cleaning and polishing. Funny, but the “tar” coating seems to have saved the finish. This VJ sports the beautiful, 1950 only, Nassau Cream enamel and had a frame-off repaint at some point in its life. Most of the chrome and stainless is clean and a little better than driver quality, but most important, it is all there.
The interior is very correct and has few flaws. The carpet is like new and shows almost no wear. All gauges and lights in the dash work. Two radios as well as a painted-to-match radio plate will come with this VJ if one would desire to have tunes. The glass is super clear and appears to be original to this Jeep.
The top and side curtains are in very nice condition with super clear plastic windows. The only exception is that since the car was stored with the top down, mice got in the folds of the inner liner and made some holes along the roof supports. Damage is limited to the inner liner only and could be fixed/ improved with some canvas patches. There are NO holes in the outer canvas top or side curtains.
This car/truck is straight. There was some minor patch work done on the driver side floor at some point in the past and it was done well. There is a hole a fewinches long behind the left front lower fender, right where the Jeep emblemis on the lower cowl. You really have to look to see it when you're underneath the car. It is not structural and could be easily repaired without damaging the existing paint. It doesn't show on the inside or outside kick panel. The frame is immaculate. For a 65 year old vehicle it is solid. If you know Willys, you will know how they rot. VJ's were notoriously worse due to the canvas top. This one has obviously had a pampered life.
If you are looking for one of these to drive and use, this is it. If you are looking to do a full restoration, save yourself thousands and start with this solid, running, driving 99% correct Jeepster. I believe this car would be a great investment as it checks all the right boxes for Jeepster collectibility: Rare second series in the best color Willys offered, 6 cylinder, overdrive transmission, and a complete and original drivetrain. Interesting fact, 1950 was the first year Overland was dropped from the Willys name.
It will be the buyers responsibility to pay for and make arraignments for transportation and pickup. A $500 deposit is due within 48hrs after the end of the auction and will be accepted through PayPal or other methods minus credit card. The balance is due within 7 days from the end of the auction and will be accepted in cash, cashiers check, or wire transfer only. Bids from bidders with zero or little feedback will be cancelled unless you contact me and we speak on the phone. Thanks for viewing my auction.