Every year, Jeep releases a bevy of concept vehicles to be shown at the Easter Jeep Safari off-road event in Moab, and at least some portions of those concept vehicles are usually inspired by classic models. In the past we’ve seen a remastered Forward Control, a J-series pickup, CJ models, and even a Cherokee Chief. This year, Jeep hit up an untapped classic for one of its show rigs: the Jeepster Commando.
The new concept attempts to capture the long, low roadster look of the original sold by Willys-Overland from 1948 to 1950 and later?in slightly updated form?under the Kaiser Jeep brand as the Jeepster Commando from 1966 until the early 1970s. (Jeep has been owned or operated by numerous ultimately doomed suitors between the end of World War II and today. So, um, keep your chin up, Fiat Chrysler.) Based on the new-for-2018 Wrangler Rubicon, the Jeepster mostly succeeds in its emulation.
Jeep’s designers started by laying the windshield back another 2.5 degrees and chopping it to match the white hard top, which itself has been lowered 2.0 inches overall. The windshield can still be folded forward on top of the hood, too. Old-school white-painted accents adorn the tops of the doors and the fenders to match the top, and they really pop against the Firecracker Red body color. To offset the lowered roof, or just because lifting Jeeps is a default modification for Moab vehicles, Jeep slapped on a 2.o-inch suspension lift kit with 2.5-inch-diameter shocks. Combine...