![]() ![]() The steel-body Station Wagon had independent spring-lead front suspension, a first for a Willys product. It was called Seep, a shorter version of Sea Jeep. The Ford GPA was an amphibious version of the World War II Ford GPW jeep. Made exclusively for the US Army, the vehicle was officially known as 1/4 tonne, 4x4 truck. ![]() The company is looking at strengthening its presence in India with its jeep vehicles. In 2014, Chrysler folded into Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the jeep brand name became its property. Daimler then called it quits when Chrysler and Fiat came to the scene. In 1998, Daimler-Benz AG of Germany and Chrysler Corporation merged to form DaimlerChrysler. But by 1987, financial crisis hit this partnership too, and Chrysler Corporation, which had an eye on jeep for long, took over AMC. Since 1979, French car maker Renault had partnership with AMC. American Motor Company (AMC) bought Kaiser's factory and the jeep brand name in 1970. After a decade, the company took the name of Kaiser Jeep. Parent company Willys was bought by Kaiser Motors in 1953. The ownership of jeep and the brand name had exchanged several hands. This gave birth to two more jeeps - Willys MA and Ford GP. Since Bantam was almost broke, the design work was handed over to Willys and the then top vehicle manufacturer Ford too. But the Army needed a large number of vehicles that too within a short time span. Bantam's design for BRC 40 had complied with all the requirements. ![]() The army had tough specifications for the vehicle. Though almost broke, Bantam, with the help of talented freelance Detroit designer Karl Probst, submitted the prototype within five days. Willys' request for additional time was however rejected. However, only two companies responded - Bantam and Willys. Around 135 establishments in the country got a message - submit the design of a small four-wheel drive vehicle for reconnaissance purpose. The World War II was on and the US knew that it was time to intervene. Due to the speciality of its design, the jeep became the primary light-wheeled transport vehicle of the public after the war. Production reached approximately 640,000 units by August 1945.Jeep was developed for use during World War II. It was also used for liason, command, communication and sometimes even as an ambulance for a light firearms carrier. As a means of transit for soldiers, it played an important role in bringing the Allied victory. During WW2, the Willys MB and Ford GPW ran over every battlefield. ![]() It was designated the GPW, and a simple, pressed steelfront grille was introduced. Due to the necessity of increasing production, the Army ordered Ford to join the mass production using the Willys MB"s blueprints. The early Willys MB had a welded, slat type front grille. This marked the birth of the Willys MB (Model B) that provided unmatched ability to transport Allied troops during the conflict. In November 1941, the Army, with alterations on the front grille and hood to the Ford design, chose the Willy"s vehicle as the basis for the mass production model. It became a pressing need for allied nations to possess tough and reliable vehicles with excellent cross-country ability. During the early stage of WW2, Germany had achieved outstanding successes by using motorized troops with their "Blitzkrieg" tactics. Forces ordered the Willys, Ford, and Bantam companies to develop prototypes of a small sized multi-purpose 4-wheel drive vehicle. The origin of the Jeep vehicle dates back to early 1941, when U.S. Without a doubt the Jeep Willys MB occupies a significant position in the whole automotive history. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |