![]() ![]() In the earlier model MBs, the gas tank still had rectangular lower corners, as opposed to later versions. The later models had a 6 inch measurement, and were noticeably taller. The first 3,500 produced used an MA-type frame, which had a shorter distance between the cowl and the glass frames (4 inches). Early MBs had a wiper for each side of the windshield, which were hand operated in contrast to later configurations. decided not to feature the logo and removed them. The MA and early MBs had the “Willys” name stamped into the left rear panel however, in the spring of 1942, the War Dept. During World War II, Ford produced some 280,000 of these vehicles. By October 1941, due to an increased demand for production, Ford was contracted to assist Willys-Overland and changed their model’s name from “GP to “GPW”, with the "W" referring to the "Willys" licensed design. By July of 1941, the War Department, needing standardization, selected Willys-Overland to fulfill its contract, on account of the MA’s powerful engine, silhouette, low bid ($748.74/unit), and because of the company’s ability to fulfill production needs, ordering another 16,000 vehicles.Ībsorbing some of the design features of the Bantam and Ford entries, the Willys “MA” was then renamed the Willys “MB”, and featured the powerful “Go Devil” engine and a welded flat iron “slat” radiator grille (which was later replaced by a stamped grille in March of 1942). The Willys Quad became the “MA”, the Ford Pygmy became the “GP”, and the “BRC 60” became the “BRC 40”. During these pre-production runs, each vehicle was re-named. The Willys Quad by Willys Overland, the Ford Pygmy by Ford and the BRC 60 by Bantam were accepted and orders were given for 1,500 units per company, with a revised weight limit of 2,160 pounds. The original pilot models were submitted and named accordingly. As as result, Ford and Willys were asked to product their own pilot models for testing, the results of which would determine the contract. While the “Blitz Buggy” did satisfy these requirements, Bantam was not able to deliver with the fiscal strength or production capability needed to win the contract with the War Department. (115 N m) of torque, along with an empty weight of no more than 1,300 lbs (590 kg). Nicknamed the "Blitz Buggy", this vehicle concept which was the first bid accepted by the Army, as it satisfied the Army’s Ordnance Technical Committee specifications that the vehicle have: four-wheel drive, a crew of three on a wheelbase of no more than 75 inches and tracks no more than 47 inches, a fold-down windshield, a 660 lb payload, and an engine capable of 85 ft lb. Prior to the production of the MB/GPW, other attempts were made to satisfy the Army's need for a light utility vehicle including the first prototype presented by the American Bantam Car Company. Soon to become the ubiquitous, "world-famous" jeep, the Willys MB and Ford GPW models were very effective on the ground, with many standardized features such as 6.00x16 tires, 60 honest horsepower at 4,000 rpm, a gasoline can bracket on the left rear, provisions for trailer lights, spark interference suppression, a blackout light system, twin top bows and sealed spring shackles. ![]() The Top 10 Jeeps 10.One of the first military vehicles mass-produced in the United States, the Willys MB (and Ford GPW) US Army jeep is the culmination of war-time ingenuity, standardization and strategic personalization for transport of personnel and cargo. ![]() Tell us why and maybe we’ll change our minds. ![]() Some of you will probably disagree with our list. Why try to rank the best Jeeps of all time, you ask? Because Jeep is 75 years old and we like ranking things. The American Bantam Car Company sketched up a prototype known as the Bantam Reconnaissance Car, which would ultimately serve as the framework for America’s first Jeep, and the basic design Willys-Overland used to build the original MB. Army officials on the hunt for the ultimate scout vehicle. Later, engineers converted Ford light trucks to four-wheel-drive vehicles, but those improvements still weren’t enough for U.S. In 1913, 4×4 trucks designed for military use showed up on battlefields. America was gearing up for war, and our young nation’s military leaders needed a versatile all-terrain vehicle to effectively navigate theaters of war.įour-wheel drive technology first appeared at the beginning of the 20th century. ![]()
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