The history of the very first Jeep can be tracked to as early as 1940. During July of that year, the US military invited no less than 135 manufacturers to built a “light reconnaissance vehicle”. The aim was to come up with a vehicle that will replace the Army’s aging motorcycle and modified Ford Model-T fleet.
The Army had a list of specifications this new vehicle had to fulfil. Among other things, the list included the following:
• 272 kg load capacity
• Height less than 91,4 cm
• Smooth-running engine from 5 to 80 km/h
• Rectangular-shaped body
• Four-wheel drive with two-speed transfer case
• Fold-down windshield
• Three bucket seats
• Blackout and driving lights
• Gross vehicle weight below 590 kg
Although three manufacturers tendered for this contract, Willys-Overland won. First known as the Willys Quad, the finished vehicle quickly morphed into the MA and later the MB.
There are a couple of stories with a possible explanation where the name “Jeep” originated from. One of them is the likely abbreviation of “General Purpose”, GP. Internationally, the vehicle was called a “Jeep” and, after the Second World War, Willys-Overland trademarked the name “Jeep” and the rest, as they say, is history.
Have a look at the gallery above to see some of the very first Jeeps.
