The Jeep was the result of a request by the Army in 1940 for a general purpose vehicle that was small, lightweight, had four-wheel drive for cross-country travel, and capable of carrying a light machine gun. Initially, only two companies provided vehicles to meet this requirement: American Bantam (the Bantam Reconnaissance Command or BRC) and Willys-Overland (the Quad or 4 x4). After the initial tests, the Army asked for changes and also opened the door to other manufacturers, notably Ford, for further testing and development in late 1940 and into 1941.
The Jeep that resulted was something of a mongrel: The Bantam’s Spicer-sourced four-wheel transmission and differential was mated with the Willy’s Go-Devil engine and fitted with the overall bodywork configuration of the Ford Model GP. From less than 100 Jeeps in 1940, almost 8,500 were built in 1941 in three different versions by Bantam (BRC-40), Willys (MA), and Ford (GP). Beginning in late 1941, the Jeep was standardized with the Spicer differential, the Go-Devil engine, and the Ford bodywork configuration. Production of the Jeep as the Willys Model MB and the Ford Model GPW resulted 639, 235 being produced during the war, with Willys producing over 360,000 of them. In addition, Ford also produced almost 13,000 of a special amphibious Jeep (Model GPA) called the “Seep.” In all, from 1940 to 1945, a total of 647,925 Jeeps were built.
The Jeep fulfilled many roles during the war, these ranging from being the mount for cavalry units conducting combat reconnaissance missions, the vehicle from which commanders led their units, hauling trailers full of vital supplies across the battlefield, carrying aircrew to their aircraft whether the airfield was in Brazil or Britain or Italy or Guadalcanal or Iwo Jima, carrying litters bearing wounded troops, transporting generals and admirals to work, pulling light artillery pieces into battle or simply allowing President Roosevelt review troops. The Jeep was also used by Special Air Service units to conduct raids behind enemy lines, on D-Day in France it rode into battle in gliders just as it did with the Chindits (Long Range Penetration Groups) in Burma, it landed with the assault waves in Italy, France, the Philippines, and Okinawa, as well as carrying the victorious Allies into Rome, Paris, Berlin, and Tokyo.
Along with the Douglas C-47 Dakota/Skytrain and landing craft such as the Higgins Boat and the Landing Ship, Tank (LST), the Jeep is often credited with being one of the important factors in helping the Allies achieve victory during World War 2.
About the Author
Don Capps is a member of the Society of Automotive Historians (SAH). currently serving on its Board of Directors and chair of the International Motor Sport History Section. He is also a memberof and chair of the Council of Historians of the International Motor Racing Research Center in Watkins Glen, New York, where he is the co-chair of the annual Michael R. Argetsinger Symposium for InternationalMotor Racing history, held each November. Don is also a member of a number of professional historicalorganizationsas well as being a life member of both the U.S. Army Ranger Association and the 75th Rangers Regiment Association.
About the Series
This series of essays explores the vehicles that made up our Ten Cars that Changed the World exhibition. The exhibition was a partnership with the Society of Automotive Historians.
Image courtesy of Buzzoid.
FAQs
When fitted with a machine gun, it became a weapon itself. The jeep came to symbolize American ingenuity and productivity to allies and enemies alike. World War II produced one of America's all-time favorite vehicles -- the jeep. Soldiers loved the homely little car because it could go anywhere and do almost anything.
How important was the Jeep in ww2? ›
An average of 145 were supplied to Army infantry regiments. Jeeps were used for many purposes, including reconnaissance, gun towing, cable laying, saw milling, firefighting pumpers, field ambulances, tractors and with suitable wheels would even run on railway tracks.
Why did three different American auto companies produce the Jeep during World War II? ›
However, the Army thought that Bantam didn't have the production capacity to build the required number of vehicles, so they turned over production to Willys-Overland and Ford, encouraging them to make changes to the design. Three prototypes were made: The Bantam Reconnaissance Car (BRC), Ford Pygmy and Willys “Quad”.
What does Willys mean on a Jeep? ›
This Jeep was called the Willys because the government selected a vehicle based on the fashion of the Bantam Car Company. Bantam lacked the production facilities to mass-produce, and the military wanted suppliers, so Willys got a contract to build this model of Jeep in the late 1940s.
How did the Jeep change WWII? ›
Hyde wrote: "In many respects, the jeep became the iconic vehicle of World War II, with an almost mythological reputation of toughness, durability, and versatility." Not only did it become the workhorse of the American military, literally replacing the use of horses and other draft animals (still heavily used in World ...
What does a Jeep symbolize? ›
To many, Jeep is a symbol of fun and adventure. To others, it's closer to nature and the outdoors, and is more aligned with hobbies such as hiking and camping. It speaks to other groups of consumers because it's a rugged and dependable vehicle, whether those traits are needed for work or play.
How did the Jeep impact the war? ›
All allies used Jeep vehicles also, including the Russians, where over 5,000 vehicles were sent to help their war effort. Jeeps were used for troop transport, weapons platforms, ambulances, command cars, reconnaissance, and pulling supply trailers and much more.
Who invented the Jeep in WWII? ›
1940 WILLYS QUAD
Only three companies responded — Bantam, Willys, and Ford — but, within a year's time they collectively produced the template for the vehicle known worldwide as the "jeep".
What does 1941 mean on a Jeep? ›
The finishing touch to this tough configuration is a 1941 livery that commemorates an important year for the Jeep brand: the first appearance of the Willys, also evoked on other details of the vehicle such as, for example, the wheel, gear knob and tailgate table.
How many Jeeps were made for World War II? ›
Almost 650,000 Jeeps were produced during World War II. One of the main manufacturers of the Jeep was Willys-Overland Motors, a forerunner of today's Chrysler Motors.
VW produced the type 62 Kubelwagen during the war to fill the German army's need for a utility vehicle. It was Germany's version of the American Jeep during the war.
Does the military still use Jeeps? ›
The Jeep J8 is a military vehicle originally based on the Jeep Wrangler JK platform, but currently based on the Jeep Wrangler JL platform. It is also used by government agencies, security groups, peacekeepers, fire departments, underground mining and other industries requiring a heavy duty off-road vehicle.
Who owns Jeep? ›
FCA, or Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, is the parent company that oversees the full Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, RAM, FIAT, and Jeep brands.
What is the oldest Jeep? ›
Willys Quad (top photo) is the very first Jeep that was made back in 1940 to serve as a U.S. military vehicle. The military solicited 135 automakers for a military specific vehicle and only 3 decided to take the challenge in creating a vehicle with the difficult parameters.
What was the top speed of the Willys Jeep? ›
The jeep had a four-cylinder 60-hp engine and weighed 2,200 pounds. It had both two- and four-wheel drive, six forward speeds and two reverse speeds, and a top speed of 55 mph.
What did Jeep stand for in the military? ›
General Purpose vehicles
Contrary to what a lot of people believe, the word Jeep isn't technically an acronym. Each letter doesn't stand for something, but it's a reference to another acronym from back in the days of the war. Military personnel would refer to some vehicles as GPs - or General Purpose.
What was the German Jeep in ww2? ›
The Kübelwagen's role as a light multi-purpose military vehicle made it the German equivalent to the Allied Willys MB "jeep" and the GAZ-67, after previous efforts to mass-produce standardized military four-wheel drives for the Wehrmacht had largely failed.
Why did the military use Jeep? ›
Now a consumer brand, the Jeep was once the workhorse of US military operations – an all-purpose vehicle that could be put to a wide range of uses, from simply getting personnel and officers from A to B in battle, to being fitted with machine guns for combat, to working as field ambulances to quickly move wounded ...
Were there jeeps in ww2? ›
Almost 650,000 Jeeps were produced during World War II. One of the main manufacturers of the Jeep was Willys-Overland Motors, a forerunner of today's Chrysler Motors. View more pictures of the Jeep in our photo gallery.
The Jeep was the result of a request by the Army in 1940 for a general purpose vehicle that was small, lightweight, had four-wheel drive for cross-country travel, and capable of carrying a light machine gun. Initially, only two companies provided vehicles to meet this requirement: American Bantam (the Bantam Reconnaissance Command or BRC) and Willys-Overland (the Quad or 4 x4). After the initial tests, the Army asked for changes and also opened the door to other manufacturers, notably Ford, for further testing and development in late 1940 and into 1941.