![]() It offered a more comfortable ride than any CJ series model with a wider track and less ground clearance. The Jeep YJ was the first vehicle in the Jeep Wrangler series. While CJ Series models were civilian versions based off of successful military vehicles, the Jeep Wrangler was built intentionally the average daily driver. The Jeep CJ Series ceased production in 1986 giving way to the newly designed Jeep Wrangler model. ![]() The CJ-10 continued with the style of the CJ-8 offering a full-size pickup truck with a Jeep body. The Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler was built during the same era as the CJ-7, but featured a small pickup bed in the back. The CJ-7 was in production from 1976-1986, but still remains popular today. The CJ-7 offered an automatic all-wheel drive system and arguably the smoothest ride of any Civilian Jeep model. Willys model continued to live on in later models of the Jeep CJ series. The CJ-6 model was also based off the military Willys M170 and had a significant 20-year run of its own. The Willys Jeep CJ-5 was based on the concept of the M38A1 and had the longest production run of any single Jeep model (from 1954 to 1983). Like in WWII, vehicles used in the Korean War influenced the civilian Jeep market afterward. ![]() The M38A1 used the more powerful Willys Hurricane engine, had a round body, and a longer wheelbase for a smoother ride. It was succeeded by the Willys M38A1 which would become the model used by the U.S. It featured a reinforced frame and suspension, waterproof electrical and ignition system, and a windshield that folded down flat on the hood for shooting.Īltogether over 60,000 Willys, M38 units were produced. The M38 was a combat version of the civilian Jeep CJ-3A. The Willys MB model eventually evolved into the Willys M38 used during the Korean War. Continual improvements were made in the models that followed as the Jeep product transformed more and more into the vehicle we know today. Willys was fully awarded the trademark for "Jeep" in 1950 after American Bantam went bankrupt. The Willys CJ-2A, or Universal Jeep, was in production from 1945 to 1945 and retailed at $1,090. However, first to CJ, or Civilian Jeep, models never entered mass production.Īfter WWII ended in 1945, Willys model became the first 4x4 vehicle to be produced for civilian use. Modifications were made to the military vehicle which included a tailgate, drawbar, and canvas top. Post WWII Civilian JeepĪs confidence grew on the side of the allies, Willys began developing models in 1944 in hopes of expanding the Jeep to the civilian market. Willys produced over 363,000 Jeeps and Ford an estimated 280,000 during the war. Eventually, the demand grew so high that Ford stepped in to help produce the same model under the Ford GPW nameplate. With its more powerful 60 horsepower "Go Devil" engine and lower cost, the Willys MB model won out and was nicknamed the Jeep. War Department decided to select one model as the standard. Meanwhile, Ford was developing the GP to also meet the U.S. Willys revised their initial Willys Quad prototype by developing the MA, or Military Model A, which was 240 pounds lighter than Bantam's model. The First Jeepĭue to the urgent need of vehicles, the government gave American Bantam's blueprints to each production company to speed up the process. However, the American Bantam lacked mass production capabilities and the government awarded production contracts to Willys and Ford. Initially, American Bantam won the contract virtue of being the only company to submit their prototype, the "Blitz Buggy", by the deadline. Army heard proposals for newer 4x4 models from Ford and American Bantam in the late 1930s, but re-opened competition in the Summer of 1940 after standard specifications were established. The US Army first used four-wheel drive trucks produced by Four Wheel Drive Auto and the Thomas B. Several circumstances paved the way for Willys-Overland Motors to win out the government contract to produce the first line of Jeeps. Willys Model was not the first four-wheel drive vehicle used in war, nor was it the first selected for use in WWII by the United States Department of War. After use in multiple wars and 10 generations of modifications, the Willys Model has become the Jeep we know it as today. Improvements and Enhancements were made on what became known as the "Jeep" and its popularity continued to grow. After the war ended Willys Model was released to the civilian market. The Willys Model Jeep was first used as a military combat vehicle by the allies in World War II.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |