8 minute read
Jeepster Beach Glorious hybrid concept evokes the surfi n’ image
Jeep’s recently unveiled Jeepster Beach concept is a hybrid combining a classic body with modern underpinnings – and a barrel-load of retro chic in the way it’s presented
In 1966, Kaiser Jeep was ticking along nicely. Its range of CJ3B, CJ5 and CJ6 models, as well as Forward Control work trucks and the Wagoneer station wagon, was selling well and its customers were happy.
But the company’s executives were feeling uneasy. Somewhere between the CJ6 and Wagoneer, there was a gap in the market for a smaller 4x4 passenger car – and it was being fi lled by the
Ford Bronco.
Jeep decided to act by dipping into its own history book (yes, it already had a history book, even then). Some 18 years previously, under the ownership of Willys-Overland, it had created the
Jeepster, a high-spec crossover designed solely for road use, and the company looked to the same name for what was to be an all-new model.
The Jeepster Commando was based on a 101” chassis and offered in station wagon, pick-up, roadster and convertible form. Powered by a choice of 2.2-litre straight-four and 3.7-litre V6 petrol engines, it sold more than 55,000 units before being replaced by a larger model in 1971.
The range was wide and included plenty of commonsense grown-up options, but the Jeepster was a vehicle with youth appeal writ large in its DNA. The classic image is of a couple of cool guys or gals soaking up the sun, and the attention, by the seaside in an eye-catching truck with no roof – and that’s exactly what Jeep is going for with the Jeepster Beach, a 1968 original which
The interior is trimmed in a cheeky combination of leather and bedliner, all of it carefully colour-coordinated in a deep red. It goes well with the chrome of the body cappings, roll bar and cargo sliders, and makes an eye-catching contrast against the white feature panel and surf-inspired sticker-bombing on the dash
has been restifi ed completely into a modern concept vehicle.
Called the Jeepster Beach, it’s essentially a hybrid. Underneath the bodywork that gives it its retro look, it’s a current Wrangler Rubicon. Hence the outsize wheels and 35” tyres, which make it a Jeepster with a whole new sense of purpose.
Given the the original vehicle was powered in entry-level form by a four-pot engine, it’s appropriate that Jeep based the concept on a version of the Wrangler with the familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. This has been retuned from what we get in showroom vehicles, however, we deliver 340bhp and 369lbf.ft.
Also quite appropriate is the presence of an automatic gearbox, as the Jeepster was the fi rst small 4x4 to offer this option. Not that the hightech eight-speeder in the concept vehicle bears much in the way of similarities to the unit they used back then, obviously…
Behind the auto box is a part-time, two-speed transfer case with 4:1 ratio gearing to help turn the big 35” tyres. The original had four-wheel drive as standard but it’s low-profi le, whitewall rubber made it clear that Jeep wasn’t expecting people to take them very far on to the trails.
Neither did their lustrous paintwork and chrome bumpers, however these are very much present on the Jeepster Beach. ‘The exterior fuses original chrome trim with an updated, brightly coloured two-tone paint scheme of Hazy IPA and Zinc Oxide,’ says Jeep, and the results are very dramatic indeed.
On the inside, it defi nitely helps if you like red leather. The seats, dash, doors, fl oor console and steering wheel are all trimmed in the stuff, and the theme also continues into the back where the fl oor and wheelarch blisters appear to have been sprayed in a colour-matched bedliner. It contrasts very nicely with the smooth chrome of a body-mounted roll bar, and the same material highlights the body cappings – while up front, a white feature panel across the dash has been sticker-bombed in surfi ng-related material. There are no carpets, meanwhile, to make it easier to clear out sand.
‘Jeepster Commandos were made for fun in the sun,’ says Jeep, ‘and this ultimate beachthemed cruiser continues that tradition by embodying a spirited, carefree attitude. While the Jeepster Beach maintains the outward appearance of a vintage Jeepster, it commands peak performance both on and off-road delivered by the modern-day Jeep Wrangler.’
It’s defi nitely an appealing combination. You’d very much like to imagine that if Jeep was to develop a modern-day Jeepster as a showroom vehicle, the result would end up looking a lot like this… and if they did just that, who among us could possibly resist wanting one?
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ARB are the first to break cover with their accessories for the new Jimny
SO WHO HAD ARB in the firstnew-Jimny-mods sweepstake, then? The Australian 4x4 accessories giant has unveiled its Project JBOX demo vehicle, sporting a range of off-road items which, while they are all still prototypes at this point in time, will become available to buy in the near future.
Suzuki’s Australian importer worked with ARB by giving the company’s engineers access to a pre-launch vehicle, allowing them to start work early on developing a range of all-new and adapted accessories. In addition, ARB was able to test-fit existing products to confirm they would work on the new vehicle – and the great news for Jimny fans looking to build a serious off-roader is that these include the legendary Air-Locker.
Among the new products ARB has developed for the Jimny is the smallest ever version of its Summit bull bar. This will come complete with a winch mount, which on Project JBOX has been used to house an 8000lb Warn Magnum.
Underneath the vehicle is a new suspension system. ARB doesn’t quote the size of the lift it gives the Jimny, apart from to say it’s ‘suitable for a set of new muddies and improved off road ability’ – which could of course mean anything. Safe to assume, however, that it’ll be in the usual commercial range, which means it can be expected to be in the region of two inches.
Further metalwork will come in the shape of steel rock sliders and a tubular roof rack. You’d need to be doing pretty extreme stuff with a Jimny to put its sills at risk, especially after lifting its suspension, but for any sort of long-range travel a roof rack would certainly be a must-have way of overcoming the limited luggage space that’s an inevitable consequence of the vehicle’s small size – or putting the little Suzi to work.
With this and the bull bar adorned with LED lighting, some underbody protection bolted on and a gear reduction transfer case mod to take care of the bigger tyres you’ll surely want, ARB is already well on the way to being able to kit out a new generation of super-Jimnys. How long before it all becomes available to buy? We don’t yet know – but it’s surely shorter than the waiting list for an actual vehicle. To keep tabs Are you crazy about Defenders? Dotty about Discos? Does the sight of a classic Series on progress, visit www.arb.com.au.I make you weak at the knees? If so, The Landy is most certainly for you! The UK’s only
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