Jeep History 40's
A legend is born.
The Willys MA
In the early 1940's, as hostilities began to flare up Western Europe, the US army put the word out to all automobile manufacturers that they were searching for a light reconnaissance vehicle to replace motorcycle and sidecar combinations traditionally used for messengers and advance reconnaissance.
Of the 135 companies approached, only three companies pitched: Bantam, Ford and Willys-Overland. The Willys response was the only solution that met power specifications and the Willys-Overland vehicle was consequently selected. The vehicle went through a refinement round which resulted in the Willys MA and 1,5000 plus units were shipped to the army in 1941.
The Willys MB
The MB, the descendent of the MA, was the first Jeep vehicle to be mass produced and was a much improved update. Although the MB Jeep vehicle was not the first four-wheel drive vehicle, it influenced every 4x4 built in its wake
The emergence of Jeep
Soon after its inception into the army, The General Purpose Vehicle, or "G.P." was nicknamed "Jeep" and a legend was born. 60 years later, the Jeep brand is globally recognised symbol of freedom and rugged adventure.
