If you liked open-top, no BS off-roaders that were nimble, simple and durable, the 1960s are the time for you. Among the International Scouts, Ford Broncos, and the early Chevrolet Blazers and GMC Jimmys was Jeep…specifically, Kaiser-Jeep, the result of a merger between the Kaiser-Frazier Corporation and Willys-Overland. The Jeep products that came from this era are, simply put, legendary: CJ-5, CJ-6, Wagoneer, Gladiator, the DJ-series, and this creation, the Jeepster Commando. Loosely based on the Willys VJ Jeepster of the late 1940s in concept, the Commando could come as a station wagon, a kind of trucklet, and a completely roofless version, like this one. Two engines were offered: the Willys-based Hurricane four-cylinder and the Buick-sourced, Kaiser-modified 225ci “Dauntless” V6.

First impressions notwithstanding, the 1970 Commando you see here hasn’t exactly been restored. The V6 has been worked over and built up (a nice change from the normal V8 swap seen), the seats are out of a Volkswagen GTI and are covered in marine-grade leather, and the gauges are a full compliment of aftermarket units. Does it take away from what this open-roofed SUV is? Nope…the fact that it exists at all is good enough, and the fact that owner Sam Fankuchen daily drives this, including plenty of jaunts deep off-road, means that no wrong can be found.