In July of 1941, after a grueling trial and design competition initially won by Bantam, Willys-Overland Company was awarded the contract to produce a light, cross country recon vehicle ultimately named The Jeep.
By October 1941, it became apparent that Willys-Overland couldn’t keep up with the production demand and Ford was contracted to produce them as well. It’s the only time Ford manufactured an auto that was not designed by them.
In total, during WWII from 1941 to 1945 Willys produced 363,000 Jeeps and Ford some 280,000. The Jeep has since become an American icon… one that I am happy to drive.
Teri 📷
Images by T.Dashfield Photography 
I was planning on a jeep post myself. I think they were the greatest thing to be invented at that time!! An American icon – to say the least!!
Yes indeed! A great American icon.
Not the most comfortable ride…but difficult to stop
Difficult to stop as in put on the breaks or as in kept going?
Keeps going and going…
That’s the plan 😉
The only jeep-like thing I owned was a VW Thing. But I had some wild times climbing over high passes on narrow trails in my friends’ old Willys Jeeps in the Colorado Rockies.
I once drove a Hummer over an obstacle course and it scared and thrilled me to no end. A VW Thing??? Wow! Haven’t seen one of those in forever!
Loving your series on trucks and vehicles 🙂
Thanks 🙂