(Updated 3/23/2026) How’s this for a pairing of two very different compact vans from the early 1960s? The VW isn’t exactly a shocker in these parts, but a curbside Jeep Fleetvan? That’s a bit more out of the ordinary.
I’m not going to do a full CC on the Fleetvan, as we did one from the same location not that long ago. The other one was on a trailer; it eventually left and then this one showed up. The guy that lives here has eclectic taste. He also owns the 1974 Toyota Mark II we profiled here, an early ’50s GMC pickup, this T1 bus, and there’s been a Datsun 410 wagon in the driveway too.
Unlike the previous Fleetvan, this is the extended body version (FJ-3A), which was sold not to the USPS, but to private buyers as a compact delivery van. It sits on a CJ-3 chassis.
On another day, the T1 was replaced by a T3 Vanagon. Just to keep things interesting.
Wow, that Jeep Fleetvan is quite a neat sight, I wonder where they found it? I imagine driving one of these is noisy, bouncy, and slow while being somewhat entertaining.
Strange looking thing that Jeep van and likely quite horrid to spend all day bouncing around in doing deliveries, vans have improved immensely since that was built and the split screen VW was current.
The Jeep has a split screen too. Split in 5 places.
I’d imagine you’d have to take a corner very sloooowly and carefully in that Jeep. Talk about a “high profile” vehicle! Nice rusty patina. In the Pacific NW, it’s either going to be rust and/or algae.
Wow, I do not believe I have come across a single Fleetvan in the entire time I have been reading CC. There is something weirdly compelling about these. But something tells me it will not run the pumps and trench diggers from the video the other day. 🙂
That Jeep truly has some of the strangest-looking windows I’ve ever seen. The whole front end is mesmerizing, if in a slightly horrifying sort of way: it looks like it’s banged its swollen glass forehead into a brick wall.
I had also never seen nor even heard of the Fleetvan, so thanks for this. I’ll add it to the list of cars to keep an eye out for — not that I’m ever likely to see one.
Never knew Jeep made a van, though these were evidently built for 15 years. I did know they made the oh-so-cute FC (Forward Control) in pickup and cutaway versions, and what a shame they never made an FC van cause it would have been awesome.
I think Kaiser-Jeep did build a few FC van prototypes, but they never made it into production. When I was a kid I remember a few ice cream vendors with Jeep Fleetvans.
I’d love to own one of these, although I’m damned if I know what I’d do with it.
When I win the megamillions lotto I’ll have a warehouse full of weird, fundamentally cheap old cars and trucks. Stuff that most people wouldn’t consider “worth collecting”.
Not quite as strange as this pair, but back in February near Wal-Mart I happened to park next to a Mercedes-Benz Metris with my ’05 Chevrolet Astro. As I have suspected in the past the 2 vans are similarly sized but are otherwise drastically different, let alone putting my “additions” into the mix. The Metris is longer (naturally in the wheelbase: 126″-135″ vs. 111″) and from certain camera angles appears maybe slightly taller, but width & overall height are about the same as the Astro’s.
Center View: Width & height are nearly identical.
Opposite of 1st View: Again, roughly the same size, but quite different in almost every other design aspect. And apparently I like Japanese meals too. 🙂
It reminds me of a Studebaker Zip Van. Since both were used by the Post Office, it makes me wonder if the lure of a government contract was the inspiration for our featured Jeep.
I had the same thought. In fact, I had never even heard of this Jeep version before I researched the piece I wrote here on the Zip Van. It is also interesting that Studebaker never tried to sell the Zip Van in the private sector as a delivery vehicle. But then it came along so late that there would probably have been no company willing to take the chance on putting them into their fleet.
Such wonderful photos. The two vehicles looks like winter leaves from the trees above them.
My experience of T1 kombis recalls a level of winter comfort about the same as a big wet leaf, and the doubtlessly warmer Jeep is probably about as yielding in ride as the solid stick the leaf came from, so it all makes sense somewhere.
Or not.
Something needs a big roofrack.
That Jeep windshield is kinda reminiscent of a Fageol TwinCoach.
Nice survivor ! .
I hope someone does something about the rust before it’s beyond help .
The VW is a Typ II, Typ I’s were Beetles & K-G’s .
-Nate