The 2019 Geneva Motor Show afforded Jeep the opportunity to showcase the Wrangler Rubicon 1941, a Mopar-tuned off-roader wearing just about every bit and piece from Mopar’s parts catalog. Dressed in a splashy yellow exterior paint, the Wrangler Rubicon 1941 is what happens when you spend too much time dressing up your proud Jeep off-roader. The Wrangler Rubicon 1941 is a showpiece model; the upgrades and accessories included are completely street-legal. In the event you want your Wrangler Rubicon to look the part of the 1941 model that was on display in Geneva, there’s a way to accomplish that without burning holes in your pockets. Just prepare to dive deep into Mopar’s parts bin.

Exterior

It is ironic for a vehicle as no-frills as the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon to wear accessories, but this is the world we live in now. Vehicle personalization has become a business within the bigger automotive business. It’s become an avenue for customers and car owners to customize their vehicles to suit their tastes and preferences. The Wrangler Rubicon 1941 is a good example of that. On the surface, it sports a Hella Yella exterior paint finish. It’s a fancy name for a splashy color, and it’s one of the many additions to the overall Wrangler Rubicon 1941 package. Equally eye-catching is the “1941” decal on the hood. Small black decals running from the door to the rear section add a few more hat tips to the birth of the first Willys Jeep.

In addition to the Hella Yella body finish, black accents play an important role in the Wrangler Rubicon 1941’s aesthetic makeup. The entire lower section of the Wrangler Rubicon sports an all-black look, including a matte black grille and black accents on the door handles, door sills, mirror caps, mudguards, and the fuel door. Even the mesh sun bonnet room is finished in black to keep the two-tone visual integrity intact.

But as is always the case with Mopar, there’s more to this showcase Wrangler Rubicon than fancy paint and black accents. Given the Jeep’s nature as an off-road marauder, it wouldn’t be complete without a handful of parts that can be of important use for the Wrangler’s off-road adventures. This is where Jeep’s Performance Parts operation comes into the picture. The Wrangler Rubicon is more than just eye-candy; it’s also equipped with a number of important parts, including that unmistakable snorkel air intake that’s connected to the engine and bolted on the front passenger side. It runs along the side of the hood, snaking up alongside the Wrangler Rubicon’s A-pillar. Black door sills and rock rails are also included in the showpiece Wrangler Rubicon.

Jeep wasn’t direct in identifying the wheel-and-tire combo that’s included in the Wrangler Rubicon 1941, but we do know that the off-roader traditionally sits on a set of 18-inch wheels. It’s hard to identify the size of the wheels that are included in the showcase Jeep, but they do look like an 18-inch set. There are more wheel sizes available — the usually run from 15-inch wheels to 20-inch wheels. — so you do have the option of scoring anything from 15-, 17-, and 20-inch wheels depending on what size best suits your needs.

Interior

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 1941’s interior is typical of what you’ll see in the cabin of a standard Wrangler Rubicon. The seat configuration remains the same. The layout remains the same. The features remain the same. In true off-road fashion, creature comforts take a back seat to a lot of useful on-the-go features. I suppose that’s one premium offering you can get on your off-roader Jeep.

The rest of the useful bits are function-oriented as opposed to visually stimulating. Take the rubber that surrounds the UConnect touchscreen system. It’s not there to look good but to protect the digital display from unnecessary dings. The interior knobs, buttons, and toggles have all been tested, too, at least as far as their sturdiness is concerned.

Useful storage space is also a hallmark of the Wrangler Rubicon’s cabin. In standard form, the cargo floor in the rear is removable. That opens up a rear storage area where you can store just about anything you want. Optional storage systems like the Trail Rail and the Utility Grid are also available. The latter is even inspired by MOLLE-style tactical packs that are used by armed force units from all over the world.

This feature has been available on Wrangler models for a while now so it’s nice to see that it’s still available in the 2019 model. The feature includes a removable carpet and new one-way floor drain valves. These valves allow you to wash away all the dirt and grime you accumulate in your excursions. Pretty useful, right?

All of these — well, not the Trail Rail and Utility Grid storage systems — are available in the Wrangler Rubicon trim. That’s great because the 1941 version we saw at the Geneva Motor Show didn’t exactly have an auto show worthy cabin. In fact, the only useful bits are the front grab handles and the aforementioned black mesh sunbonnet. It’s not exactly the truest showcase of Mopar and Jeep’s Performance Parts’ offerings, but it does offer a nice sample of what you can expect from these accessory mavens. Just don’t get too trigger-happy with all of them because you might end up with a cabin that loses a lot of its identity.

Drivetrain

This isn’t the only engine available for Wranglers that are specific to the Old Continent. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit is also available. It produces 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Note that this particular engine is also available in the U.S. market, as is a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This particular engine is available in the U.S. and other specific markets, including Africa and the Middle East.

It’s unclear which of these engines is found under the hood of the Wrangler Rubicon 1941. My money’s on the 2.2-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder, though, if you’re looking for more power for your Wrangler Rubicon, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine should be your choice of engine.

Whichever engine you prefer, you’re not going to be shortchanged in off-road chops. Not only does it provide extra space between the road and the off-roader’s underbelly, but you’re going to be thankful that you have it in those times where the roads get a little too unpredictable.

2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 1941 Powertrain Specifications

Final Thoughts

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 1941 doesn’t suffer from an identity crisis. In fact, it has a unique identity of its own, in large part created by the parts and accessories from Mopar and Jeep’s very own Performance Parts division. This is what your Wrangler Rubicons can turn to if you decide to give it a personalized makeover. It doesn’t always have to look like this, but if you need a peg or an inspiration on what you can do to your Wrangler Rubicons. The choices are there and the options are available. All you need to do is go through the catalogs and pick your poison. Oh, and get your checkbooks ready, too. Taking this sort of personalized route on your Wrangler Rubicon is a bane to the bank account.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler.

Driving the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL

Read our full review on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Nacho Concept