Jeep 75th anniversary in 2016 – where did it all start?

US military spec tender

It all started thanks to a tender put out by the US military:  it was July 1940 when the US military informed automakers that is was needing a light reconnaissance vehicle to replace the US Army’s motorcycloe and modified Ford Model T vehicles in their fleet. 

The US Army invited 135 manufacturers to bid for a this army-spec vehicle to be built, meeting these criteria:  600 pound load capacity, gross vehicle weight below 1300 lbs, wheelbase less than 75 inches, height less than 36 inches, smooth-running engine (from 3 to 50 mph), rectangular body shape, 4-wheel-drive, 2-speed transfer case (low range for tough off-road), fold-down windshield, 3 seats, black-out (to allow stealth night driving) and driving lights.

Initially only the Willys-Overland and American Bantam Car Manufacturing Company answered the army call.  Ford Motor Company then joined, so competition began among the 3 over which company would receive the lucrative government contract.

Each company produced prototypes for testing in record time.  Bantam designed and built its field car in just 49 days!  The Willys-Overland designed their Willys Quad, and Ford created a Model GP known as the Pygmy.  Each company received government approval to build 70 prototype vehicles.

GP becomes Jeep

The Willys Quad became the Willys MA and later MB, and the GP (for General Purpose) came to be known as the Jeep (derived from slurring in pronouncing the letters GP).

Willys-Overland built more than 368 000 vehicles and Ford some 277 000 for the US Army. 

The rugged, reliable olive-paint / Army green vehicle would forever be known for helping win a world war.

2016 is Jeep’s 75th anniversary

The Willys Jeep has progressed through generations to the current Jeep Wrangler you can buy new.

This year (2016) is Jeep’s 75th anniversary.  While in the US (home of Jeep) there are 75th Anniversary Edition of all 6 current Jeep ranges, the models to soon become available in South Africa are the Jeep Renegade 75th Anniversary Edition and Jeep Grand Cherokee 75th Anniversary Edition.