You never know what will pop up in the yard at my mechanic’s. Seems like anytime I’m over there dropping off or picking up one of our cars, there’s something unusual in the yard waiting its turn. On this day when I picked up my Passat after a brake job, this Jeepster Commando was parked under a large tree.
For cars I don’t know well, like the Commando, I enjoy doing the research to try to pin down the model year. These didn’t change much from their 1966 debut until AMC redesigned the front end in 1972. I didn’t find much information. I wondered if Kaiser paint colors came and went model year to model year. I did find some information about that — as best I can tell, this Commando is painted in a color Kaiser called Beechwood, which was available on the Commando only in 1966-69. That didn’t narrow it down much.
This Commando comes with the “Dauntless” V6, that well-known engine Kaiser bought from Buick. Then AMC bought Kaiser, and then AMC sold this engine back to Buick.
This Commando looks like a solid survivor. Perhaps it was a barn find and my mechanic’s job was to bring it back to life mechanically.
I’ve had unusually good luck stumbling upon Jeepster Commandos over the years: here’s one, and here’s another.
PN has written up a couple of Commandos as well: here and here.
Nice, in that color it reminds me of my childhood Tonka Commando.
Looks very solid for a northern state car, I hope you get to see it on the road someday!
Count me as another who always liked these, though they were rare on the ground. Growing up in Fort Wayne, International Scouts were always more common.
I will second DougD – these were usually a LOT more rusty than this. It must be an import to central Indiana. From the late 60s when it was built until fifteen years ago when that plate appears to have been current was plenty of time to turn these into red powder.
Edit – on the year ID, I am looking at those side marker lights/reflectors. A quick internet sample seems to indicate that those markers may have appeared in 1970? I think that’s the year they showed up on Scouts.
Funny— I just started to write the story of my brush with Commando ownership, got a paragraph in and realized Yogi Berra was appearing to me, saying, “It’s deja vu, all over again.” This from 2014, updated and edited down:
In the early ’90s, I briefly owned a spruce green ’72 AMC Commando with the ice cube tray grille and Nash I-6. The suspension was, to be polite, archaic. I once checked the tires to make sure they were actually pneumatic.
My association ended abruptly one day on the way to a girlfriend’s house. A sudden explosive fuselade underneath, a coast into a side street and I shut down all systems. Weirdly, the engine would start, but the artillery barrage that was produced was frightening. I got on my back, and somehow got a view beyond the cover on the bell housing to find the flywheel now consisted of a separate hub and rim: it had ripped itself apart across the spokes formed between its lightening holes.
The Jeep got trailered back to My parents’ in PA where the platter was replaced, but it had worn out its welcome. Dad was in his late ’60s by then (several years younger than I am now), and even less enthusiastic about an ass whacking through those paper-thin seats than I, so the Commando was sold to a retired cop who was last seen grumbling over a dirty carb in the driveway.
As things happen, I do have some fond memories attached to the Commando, though. While sitting at a light downtown, my best pal spied me from the bar of an open-front restaurant, and ran out to tell me he had just gotten engaged. His daughter is now entering grad school.
I had one of these ~ once you remembered it’s a four wheel drive on antiquated chassis the ride wasn’t too bad, the handling at speed was a bit scary .
-Nate
Someone I went to college with and parked near to me had one of these Commandos, but I’ve barely seen one since, and not at all for a long, long time. Nowadays, Jeepsters will always make me think of the T. Rex song “Jeepster”, even though that song has as much to do with Jeepsters as Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” does with Corvettes.
I think this sort of vehicle would sell much better now than they did in the ’60s.
I’d peg this one as a 1970 or 71, due to the combination of side markers and grille design. It also looks like Jeep might have carried over the non-illuminated side reflectors used for 1968-69 into the first part of 1970 model year production, changing over to the illuminated w/retroreflector side markers required from 01/01/1970 forward at the last possible minute.
BEechwood 4 – 5789
Remember this song from my Jr. High music appreciation class. Remember my Commando as well. Had one with the AMC I six that I had got for free. Bought a locknut from the Eagle dealer. The parts man said that I wouldn’t be able to get much more in body parts. He was correct.
In Toronto late 60s there was one of these at my high school. It did not have the hardtop and I don’t remember ever seeing it with the top up. There were a lot very wealthy families in the area, so it was probably only driven to school on the nice days. I have not seen many since.
Another former Jeepster Commando owner here. I had a ’67 Kaiser with the Dauntless V-6. 3 speed manual trans and lock out hubs. Time frame was 1979 to 1982. Mostly happy times. Mine had some semi highway friendly 3.73 axle ratios. One exasperating problem was its propensity to break the clutch cable pivot. That seemed to be a low-quality cast iron. A former Kaiser Jeep dealer with a lot of NOS parts, located about 40 miles away was frequently visited. I often wished it was an auto for that reason alone. Turns at speed were not a good idea. The timing chain jumped a tooth one time which was probably a nylon tooth gear deal. The oil bath air cleaner was a reminder of old days. I haven’t seen another on the roads in decades. A local Jeep guy has a boneyard with a Commando in it that is the same year and two tone as mine. I’ve always wanted to take a look at it.
And to think that this was an updated modernized version of the original late 40’s to early 50’s Jeepster.
I owned a 68 Commando. Rebuilt the Buick V6 and ran fine at sea level. Later on moved to Colorado Springs and I barely made it up Pikes Peak so pulled the V6 and installed a Buick 350 V8. What a torque monster! Had to have a custom built 4 row radiator installed as the original radiator wasn’t getting the job done. Still ran pretty hot so I went to a local junk yard and bought a Cobra Jet hood scoop. Cut a few holes in the hood and voila, success. I also had problems with the clutch cable and actually pulled the cable housing right out of the floor. One of the drawbacks to the Commandos was the rear wheel opening. Unless you had a radical lift there wasn’t enough room to run larger tires. Lots of fun with it and I hope it’s still running around Colorado.
I’m own www. Jeepsterguru.com
Always here to help and find and make the parts you need to put them back on the road
Ha. This is mine! 1971 is the year. All original. Making progress on the restoration and it is running pretty since the mechanic got her up and running. Still some tweaking to do mechanically and going to fully restore some day.
This is awesome! Good luck with your restoration.
Finally sold mine. To much. rust started. Rebuild engine at 122k they at 160k alu block burnt top between 2 cylinder because of blown head gasket. It’s ok. Loved it, drove wheels off. Great ride.
Bill
Had a 68 commando. Buick aluminum/cast heads V6 and Borg Warner 3 on floor. Miserable felt flront seals and cable clutch linkage. Had worst brake drums ever to remove. Seam between back seat floor to rise for back floor leaked. Poor spot welds. Jeep would run quick. Stiff ride and rattling spare tire carrier. Drove till wheels fell off. Love it.
Hi I’ve always loved the old one’s. This one given to me by an old timer I cleaned for after his son came by my house to tell me he had passed away and in his things he found a note saying to give the Jeepster to me. 1973W/B 3 inch lift kit stell had back seat in it. 4.4 engine going to start restoring it looking for parts I can’t wait till she’s done.
Eloyce