JMRCAR 
As Jeep celebrates 85 years of continuous production, the brand has unveiled a new Wrangler variant inspired by classic civilian Willys CJ “Universal Jeeps.” The 2026 Jeep Wrangler Whitecap features a distinctive two-tone color scheme with crisp, snowy accents that highlight its bold body colors. This special edition is available on the Rubicon X, Rubicon, and Sahara trims, blending heritage-inspired design with modern Wrangler capability
Reaching nearly nine decades of continuous production is a remarkable achievement in today’s automotive world. While many vehicles disappear after just a few years, the Jeep Wrangler has—technically—remained in production for generations. Although the original CJ differs from today’s JL Wrangler, the core design philosophy has stayed largely the same. Over 85 years later, it remains a body-on-frame SUV with a removable roof and solid axles at both ends, preserving the rugged character that defines the Wrangler legacy.
The 2026 Jeep Wrangler Whitecap is a subtle tribute to two iconic design elements from early Jeep models. Offered on the Rubicon X, Rubicon, and Sahara trims, it is available with either a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or the 3.6-liter Penta star V-6.
The Whitecap package adds an Arctic White roof and grille, body-color fender flares, and 1941-style side stripe decals inspired by the classic CJ-5. Rubicon Whitecap models also receive a Bright White hood decal. For added convenience, buyers can opt for the Sky One-Touch power top, which is also finished in Bright White.
The Arctic Top in Jeep History
The civilian Jeep has been around since 1949, but hardtops didn’t appear until the 1950s. After World War II, the U.S. Army decided its M38 Jeeps needed a cold-weather top. By the time the Korean War began, an all-aluminum “Cab-Closure Hard Top” was widely used and became known as the “Arctic Top.”
These military tops were later copied for civilian Jeeps and sold under the Arctic Top name. You can tell the early military and aftermarket versions apart from the later factory hardtops—introduced in the early 1960s—by their upright windshield with a 90-degree angle
By the time the CJ-5 was introduced, Willys had developed its own Arctic Top that kept the factory windshield’s angled rake and was offered in Bright White to contrast with the rest of the body. Another distinctive option was a Bright White grille. These two design elements are exactly what the 2026 Jeep Wrangler Whitecap uses to make its visual statement today.
