Jeep for 1959, 1960, and 1961: Gladiator, Universal, Forward Control, CJ and DJ
Kaiser bought Willys-Overland in 1953, as Kaiser sought to leave the harsh competition of mainstream cars. The product line from 1959-1961 was fairly similar for all three years; Kaiser/Willys did not even bother to date many of their dealer brochures. Jeep didn't do annual styling changes, but made a wide variety of vehicles, considering their sales: The Standard Catalog of American Trucks quoted 114,881 sales for 1959; 122,446 for 1960; and 123,775 sales for 1961, across all models, commercial and noncommercial.
The big news for 1959 was the Dispatcher Surrey model, complete with a fringed and striped surrey top and chrome trim; as Kaiser was sponsoring Maverick, the Western semi-spoof TV series starring James Garner, they made a two-tone Maverick edition of the Utility Wagon (rear wheel drive only). A steel wagon called the Harlequin was also sold; and Mitsubishi paid Willys $1.8 million for a license to build Jeeps in Japan. Willys of Canada started making CJ-5s in Windsor, as well. This was all part of an attempt to get back into the mainstream civilian market, but without competing directly against GM, Ford, or Chrysler.
In 1960, Jeep made the basic Maverick treatment (two-toned paint plus chrome trim) optional on everything they made, except commercial trucks. They added a new rear wheel drive half-ton economy delivery truck and updated trim on various trucks. The Fleetvan, created for the Post Office, was built for the first time in 1960, and made available to other buyers in 1961.
The Surrey was temporarily dropped in 1961, along with the four-cylinder one-ton 4x4 stake truck was dropped; but the Perkins diesel engine was optional for the first time, as was a dual rear wheel option for the "forward control" FC-170.
Jeep Universal: CJ3B, CJ5, CJ6, and DJ-3A
Today's buyers associate Jeep with the "Universal," which, in 1960, meant the CJ-3B, CJ-5, CJ6, and DJ-3A (Dispatcher). The CJs ranged in weight from 2,132 to 2,225 pounds, quite light by today's standards (around half the weight of a Wrangler Rubicon), with a payload of around 1,300 lb.
No Universal or Dispatcher had an automatic transmission, even as an option. All were designed to be four cylinders only, and a straight-six would not fit until 1972; Jeep compromised by adding a "Dauntless" 225-cubic-inch V6 in 1966.
The frame had heavy steel channel sides with six crossmembers. Buyers could opt for power locking differentials in both front and rear, along with snow plows and other unusual options.
The CJ3B was the oldest; the CJ-5, based on a military Jeep, appeared in 1954, with the CJ-6, also built from military vehicles and having a 20 inch longer wheelbase, appearing as a 1956 model. Most CJ6 models were exported or used by the U.S. Forest Service; it had a 20-year run. A six-cylinder engine became optional in 1965.
All four wheels had servo-type drum brakes with bonded linings and ten inch drums. Jeep only used variable rate springs, helping to make the ride smooth for an off-roader while keeping and high load capacity. Three-speed DJs had the shift lever moved to the steering column to provide extra leg-room; others (including four-speed models) used a floor shift. All CJs had standard four wheel drive; buyers could opt for metal tops and cabs.
The Universal was fairly bare bones, coming with an oil filter, oil-bath air cleaner, antifreeze, windshield wipers (without a washer), closed crankcase ventilation, driver's seat, 35-amp alternator (a serious feature for 1960, only matched by Chrysler), and a single lever transfer case. Turn signals were optional.
The DJ (Dispatcher) was rear wheel drive, unlike the 4x4 CJ series. It had a lower grille and hoodline, special suspension, and different gearing, since it was created to be a lightweight courier vehicle safe on unpaved roads, without having to handle snow plowing, farm duties, or rock crawling. The Dispatcher was mainly used by the Post Office, so many came with right hand drive and a rearview mirror on the left hand side, by the front of the hood. Buyers could get a full cab enclosure with sliding side doors and a rear door.
DJ models weighed less than CJs, starting at a mere 1,769 pounds for the soft-top model, and the price was lower, but they also had a less powerful engine; the F-head four would not fit under the hood, (which is why the CJ3B had a taller hood than the CJ2A and CJ3A), so the old L-head engine was used (thanks, S. Cook). They included CJ standard features as well as a fresh air heater and defroster, ventilating windshield, front passenger seat, rear seats, windshield washer, inside rear view mirror, four-speed manual transmission, and hazard flashers.
Kaiser bought Willys-Overland in 1953, as Kaiser sought to leave the harsh competition of mainstream cars. The product line from 1959-1961 was fairly similar for all three years; Kaiser/Willys did not even bother to date many of their dealer brochures. Jeep didn't do annual styling changes, but made a wide variety of vehicles, considering their sales: The Standard Catalog of American Trucks quoted 114,881 sales for 1959; 122,446 for 1960; and 123,775 sales for 1961, across all models, commercial and noncommercial.
The big news for 1959 was the Dispatcher Surrey model, complete with a fringed and striped surrey top and chrome trim; as Kaiser was sponsoring Maverick, the Western semi-spoof TV series starring James Garner, they made a two-tone Maverick edition of the Utility Wagon (rear wheel drive only). A steel wagon called the Harlequin was also sold; and Mitsubishi paid Willys $1.8 million for a license to build Jeeps in Japan. Willys of Canada started making CJ-5s in Windsor, as well. This was all part of an attempt to get back into the mainstream civilian market, but without competing directly against GM, Ford, or Chrysler.
In 1960, Jeep made the basic Maverick treatment (two-toned paint plus chrome trim) optional on everything they made, except commercial trucks. They added a new rear wheel drive half-ton economy delivery truck and updated trim on various trucks. The Fleetvan, created for the Post Office, was built for the first time in 1960, and made available to other buyers in 1961.
The Surrey was temporarily dropped in 1961, along with the four-cylinder one-ton 4x4 stake truck was dropped; but the Perkins diesel engine was optional for the first time, as was a dual rear wheel option for the "forward control" FC-170.
Jeep Universal: CJ3B, CJ5, CJ6, and DJ-3A
No Universal or Dispatcher had an automatic transmission, even as an option. All were designed to be four cylinders only, and a straight-six would not fit until 1972; Jeep compromised by adding a "Dauntless" 225-cubic-inch V6 in 1966.
The frame had heavy steel channel sides with six crossmembers. Buyers could opt for power locking differentials in both front and rear, along with snow plows and other unusual options.
The CJ3B was the oldest; the CJ-5, based on a military Jeep, appeared in 1954, with the CJ-6, also built from military vehicles and having a 20 inch longer wheelbase, appearing as a 1956 model. Most CJ6 models were exported or used by the U.S. Forest Service; it had a 20-year run. A six-cylinder engine became optional in 1965.
All four wheels had servo-type drum brakes with bonded linings and ten inch drums. Jeep only used variable rate springs, helping to make the ride smooth for an off-roader while keeping and high load capacity. Three-speed DJs had the shift lever moved to the steering column to provide extra leg-room; others (including four-speed models) used a floor shift. All CJs had standard four wheel drive; buyers could opt for metal tops and cabs.
The Universal was fairly bare bones, coming with an oil filter, oil-bath air cleaner, antifreeze, windshield wipers (without a washer), closed crankcase ventilation, driver's seat, 35-amp alternator (a serious feature for 1960, only matched by Chrysler), and a single lever transfer case. Turn signals were optional.
The DJ (Dispatcher) was rear wheel drive, unlike the 4x4 CJ series. It had a lower grille and hoodline, special suspension, and different gearing, since it was created to be a lightweight courier vehicle safe on unpaved roads, without having to handle snow plowing, farm duties, or rock crawling. The Dispatcher was mainly used by the Post Office, so many came with right hand drive and a rearview mirror on the left hand side, by the front of the hood. Buyers could get a full cab enclosure with sliding side doors and a rear door.
DJ models weighed less than CJs, starting at a mere 1,769 pounds for the soft-top model, and the price was lower, but they also had a less powerful engine; the F-head four would not fit under the hood, (which is why the CJ3B had a taller hood than the CJ2A and CJ3A), so the old L-head engine was used (thanks, S. Cook). They included CJ standard features as well as a fresh air heater and defroster, ventilating windshield, front passenger seat, rear seats, windshield washer, inside rear view mirror, four-speed manual transmission, and hazard flashers.
1960 Jeep CJ-3B specifications |