Military Jeeps

        The United States military was looking for a new kind of reconnaissance vehicle that was four wheel-drive and weighted ¼ of a ton. The military needed to replace their out dated motorcycles and modified Ford Model T’s. The military invited 135 different car makers and of those makers where Bantam, Willys, and Ford that presented prototypes for vehicle they called Jeep. Features of the Willys MA included a 60 horsepower engine nicknamed the “Go Devil”, gearshift on the steering column, and a fold down windshield. During the war Jeep was used from transporting high ranking captains too transporting troop to and from the battlefield. The Jeeps high speed and excellent suspension was great for helping flank the Germans on the battlefield. Jeeps were also used as supply and Red Cross vehicles. Jeep was also the primary vehicle for transporting Winston Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower to and from the battlefield. After World War II Jeep introduced the M-715 as a military truck that replaced the outdated Dodge M37. In the late 80’s Jeep was replaced as the official military vehicle but its replacement, the new military named Humvee, was inspired by Jeep. The Humvee was different than the Jeep mainly because of its diesel engine but the Humvee had an iconic 7 slot grill like the original Willys.

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