The Jeep is probably one of the beefiest and most manly vehicles on the market today. It has been the vehicle of choice for adventure seekers and camo cavaliers for over fifty years. Fans of the vehicle have formed clubs around the world to share their common bond with this incredible vehicle.
The first Jeep was developed and built out of necessity: the US military needed a vehicle that was fast, lightweight, and could perform in almost any required terrain as soon as possible, as the Axis powers were giving them a beating.
Army call to action
They sent their requirements to the automakers and gave them forty-nine days or seven weeks to create a working prototype. Jeep’s original requirements included the following specifications:
- Vehicle Weight: Approximately 1,300 pounds
- Traction on the four wheels
- Engine (power): 85 pound-feet of torque
- Wheelbase: no more than 80 inches
- Tread: no more than 47 inches
- Ground Clearance: 6.25 inch minimum ground clearance
- Payload: 600 pounds
- Cooling System – Good enough to allow sustained low speed without overheating the engine
Designing any vehicle can take weeks, months, and even years of careful planning. Especially during the war, when labor was in short supply, it is not surprising that only two vehicle manufacturers responded to an invitation that was sent to more than a hundred companies across the country.
The three manufacturers that responded to the Army’s invitation were American Bantam Car Company and Willys-Overland. Willys-Overland requested more time to complete their vehicle (a request that was denied) while the Bantam Car Company had to accept the help of Detroit engineer Karl Probst, who was recruited by the national defense advisory committee and accepted the job without pay. He was able to draw up the basic blueprint in two days and the Bantam prototype was submitted to the US Army on 22 July.
The Bantam Car Company lost
More than 100 companies were invited to bid on the US Army reconnaissance vehicle, but only three responded: of those three companies, Bantam was the only one that was able to submit the required blueprints and Jeep prototype within the deadline.
The US Army, in those days, was an old men’s club. For whatever reason, they made the plans submitted by Bantam available to the other companies bidding on it (Ford and Willys) and also gave these two companies the opportunity to study the prototype (going so far as to take photos of it) and submit their own prototypes based on the original Bantam Reconnaissance Car.
Willys ultimately won the contract based on its “superior” version and Bantam’s alleged inability to produce the required number of vehicles to meet the Army’s needs.
Where does the name Jeep come from?
There are many theories about the origin of the name “Jeep”. Some people say it’s a faster way of saying “GP” or general purpose vehicle. Others say that it is named after a character that appeared in the Popeye comics.
The media first recognized the term Jeep in an article written by Katherine Hillyer, whose article for the Washington Daily News was titled “Jeep Creeps Up Capitol Steps,” which was accompanied by a photo.
Jeep fans around the world
The Jeep is a vehicle that has enthusiasts from all corners of the world. Its versatility has made it incredibly popular not only in the United States but almost anywhere off-roading is enjoyed or needed. Vehicle group fans to form clubs to share their common love for him. These clubs often distinguish themselves by wearing custom Jeep club jerseys that represent their local organization. These clubs are especially popular in areas like the Pacific Northwest, where the mountains provide a perfect setting for races and weekend gatherings. However, the clubs are not exclusive to the United States. Fans have flocked to Europe, Australia, and South America for their love of Jeep.