In June of 1940, the US Army began looking for a "light reconnaissance vehicle" to replace its motorcycles and Model-T trucks. One-hundred-thirty-five manufacturers were invited to bid on production of a vehicle with these specs:
- 600 lb. load capacity
- wheelbase under 75 inches
- height under 36 inches
- smooth-running engine from 3 to 50 mph
- rectangular body
- two-speed transfer case with four-wheel-drive
- fold-down windshield
- three bucket seats
- blackout and driving lights
- gross vehicle weight under 1,300 lbs.
Willys-Overland, American Bantam Car Manufacturing Company and Ford Motor Company entered the competition and delivered prototypes to the Army in record time. The Willys Jeeps in this gallery are the long-term result of that first delivery.
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Vintage Jeep Trucks
Civilian Jeep History
The information in this gallery was supplied by Jeep. If you disagree with their dates or other info, let me know.
- 1940 Willys Quad Original Pilotvintage jeeps
- 1941 Willys MAwillys, vintage jeeps
- 1942 Willys MBvintage jeeps
- 1942 Jeep CJ-2Avintage jeeps
- 1945 Jeep CJ-2Avintage jeeps
- 1948 Jeep Jeepster1948 Jeep Jeepster
- 1949 Willys Wagon1949 Jeep Willys Wagon
- 1953 Jeep CJ-3B
- 1955 Jeep M-38 A1vintage jeeps
- 1959 Jeep CJ-61959 Jeep CJ-6
- 1963 Jeep Wagoneer
- 1966 Jeep CJ-5vintage jeeps
- Graphic Index
- Text Index
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