Willy's Quad
In June 1940, with World War II on the horizon, the U.S. Army solicited bids from 135 automakers for a 1/4 ton "light reconnaissance vehicle" tailored to Army specifications. Only three companies responded - Bantam, Willys, and Ford - but, within a year's time they collectively produced the template for the vehicle known worldwide as the "jeep".
Willys-Overland delivered the prototype "Quad" (named for the 4X4 system it featured), to the U.S. Army on Armistice Day (Veteran's Day), November of 1940. The design was completed in a remarkable 75 days.
Only two prototypes were made.
Willys MB
The mighty Willys MB emerged out of the cauldron of war ready for peace-time service. The legendary G.I. workhorse of World War II was converted by Willys-Overland into a CJ with the aim of putting farm workhorses out to pasture.
According to Willys-Overland, there were 5.5 million farmers in the U.S., and of these, more than 4 million had neither a truck or a tractor. The rugged and versatile CJ-2A was marketed by Willys-Overland as "The All-Around Farm Work-Horse". It could do the job of two heavy draft horses, operating at a speed of four miles per hour, 10 hours a day, without overheating the engine. The CJ-2A "Universal" was to serve agriculture and industry all over the world in a thousand different ways.
Willys-Overland also advertised the CJ-2A as "A Powerhouse on Wheels", pitching it as a work vehicle and mobile power to the masses. A variety of farm implements and industrial tools were devised for use in conjunction with an onboard power take-off unit. A belt-driven governor was controlled from the instrument panel, allowing regulation of engine speeds from 1,000 to 2,600 rpm. Sales were brisk despite the glut of MBs on the war surplus market.Cash awards were offered by Popular Science magazine for "Ideas on Peacetime Jobs for Jeeps". The contest stimulated America's ingenuity and innovative nature. Soon, Jeep® vehicles were used as the platform for hundreds of applications. Of particular note: from 1949-1964, either a complete Jeep vehicle or chassis was used on all Zamboni® ice resurfacing machines. In 1949, the Model A took 10 minutes to do a job that used to take over an hour-and-a-half.
A much modified version of the MB, the 1945 CJ-2A (MSRP: $1,090) had "Willys" embossed on the hood sides and windshield frame. It was offered to the public with better shock absorbers, springs and more comfortable seats for added comfort, revised transmission and transfer case gear ratios allowing low-speed hauling and highway speeds as high as 60 mph, beefier clutch, better cooling, a tailgate, side-mounted spare tire, larger 7-inch headlights, an external fuel cap, a reinforced frame for greater rigidity, and an automatic windshield wiper on the driver's side.
CJ-1 and CJ-2's (1944-1945) were pre-production models notable for their cast-bronze "AGRIJEEP" hood emblems--used at agricultural test stations around the country.
Jeep M-38A1 (MD)
The M-38A1, also known as the MD, the design would later be the foundation for the classic CJ-5. The M-38A1 featured a two-piece windshield, longer wheelbase, softer ride, more powerful engine, and new, more rounded body. The "round-fender" Jeep® vehicle would eventually become the foundation for the CJ-5.
In 1951, Museum of Modern Art declared the Jeep 4x4 as a cultural icon and saluted it as one of the world's eight automotive masterpieces. In 2002, a 1952 Willys M-38A1 was added it to its permanent collection of significant vehicles, describing it as the best Jeep vehicle ever built.
The M-38A1C, a specially modified Army Jeep 4x4 produced through 1971, was designed to transport 106mm and 105mm recoilless rifles. A unique channel opening in the windshield allowed the barrel of the rifle to rest on the front hood.
What was the most "powerful" Jeep vehicle ever built? Some would say the M-38A1D — it was equipped with a Davy Crocket missile launcher that could fire tactical nuclear weapons. The user could launch the 279mm 1-Kiloton-yield atomic projectile to a range of 2,000 meters from its 120mm recoilless gun.
The M-38A1 was one of the most enduring military Jeep vehicles. Some called it the last "true" military Jeep vehicle.
Beginning in 1973, all Jeep® CJs came equipped with AMC-built 304- or 360-cubic-inch V-8 engines. Renegade models typically featured a 304 cubic inch (5L) V8 engine, stouter drivetrain, alloy wheels, and a Trac-Lok limited slip rear differential.
Many special editions were offered, including the 1964-1967 "luxury" Tuxedo Park, the 1969 Camper, the 1969 "462", the 1970 Renegade I, the 1971 Renegade II, the 1972-1983 Golden Eagle, and 1973 and 1976 Super Jeep. A two-wheel driver version DJ-5 was offered through 1974. A popular and enduring legend, the CJ-5 has probably logged more trail miles than any other Jeep vehicle. Spanning thirty years, the CJ-5 had the longest production run of any Jeep vehicle.
The CJ-5 / camper was marketed as a new camping concept. It featured a unique industry-first detaching system that made removal of the camper a simple operation.
The 1984 Jeep® Cherokee was a revolutionary vehicle: 21 inches shorter, 6-inches narrower, 4 inches lower, and 1,000 pounds lighter than the full-size Wagoneer (SJ). It was built with a revolutionary unibody instead of a traditional chassis-and-frame.
The XJ was the first vehicle with two available 4X4 systems: Command-Trac® part-time and Selec-Trac® full-time 4X4. XJs have proven enduringly popular with 4X4 enthusiasts for their off-highway abilities and wide availability of aftermarket modifications.
Until 1988, the Cherokee was the only compact SUV to offer both two- and four-door models. Originally fitted with the choice of a 2.5L four-cylinder engine or a 2.8L V-6, the venerable 4.0L inline-six engine debuted in 1987.
There were 14 trim models throughout the years: Base, SE, Wagoneer Limited, Briarwood, Pioneer, Pioneer Olympic Edition, Chief, Sport, Country, Classic, Limited, Laredo, Freedom, and 60th Anniversary Edition.
The Jeep® Wrangler (YJ) replaced the long-lived CJ Series. It had a wider track, angled grille, rectangular headlamps, and a modernized interior. All this made it a very "civilized" Jeep Wrangler.
Although the Wrangler shared the familiar open-body profile of the CJ-7, it contained few common parts with its famous predecessor. Mechanically, the Wrangler had more in common with the Cherokee than the CJ-7. The Wrangler YJ had square headlights, which was a first (and last) for this type of Jeep vehicle.
Wrangler trim levels included: Base ("S" or "SE"), Laredo, Islander, Sport, Sahara, Renegade, and Rio Grande.
On Aug. 5, 1987, about a year after the introduction of the Wrangler, American Motors Corporation was sold to the Chrysler Corporation and the popular Jeep brand became a part of Chrysler Jeep / Eagle Division.
Hope you Enjoyed the read.
In 1951, Museum of Modern Art declared the Jeep 4x4 as a cultural icon and saluted it as one of the world's eight automotive masterpieces. In 2002, a 1952 Willys M-38A1 was added it to its permanent collection of significant vehicles, describing it as the best Jeep vehicle ever built.
The M-38A1C, a specially modified Army Jeep 4x4 produced through 1971, was designed to transport 106mm and 105mm recoilless rifles. A unique channel opening in the windshield allowed the barrel of the rifle to rest on the front hood.What was the most "powerful" Jeep vehicle ever built? Some would say the M-38A1D — it was equipped with a Davy Crocket missile launcher that could fire tactical nuclear weapons. The user could launch the 279mm 1-Kiloton-yield atomic projectile to a range of 2,000 meters from its 120mm recoilless gun.
The M-38A1 was one of the most enduring military Jeep vehicles. Some called it the last "true" military Jeep vehicle.
1977 Jeep CJ-5 Universal
Beginning in 1973, all Jeep® CJs came equipped with AMC-built 304- or 360-cubic-inch V-8 engines. Renegade models typically featured a 304 cubic inch (5L) V8 engine, stouter drivetrain, alloy wheels, and a Trac-Lok limited slip rear differential.Many special editions were offered, including the 1964-1967 "luxury" Tuxedo Park, the 1969 Camper, the 1969 "462", the 1970 Renegade I, the 1971 Renegade II, the 1972-1983 Golden Eagle, and 1973 and 1976 Super Jeep. A two-wheel driver version DJ-5 was offered through 1974. A popular and enduring legend, the CJ-5 has probably logged more trail miles than any other Jeep vehicle. Spanning thirty years, the CJ-5 had the longest production run of any Jeep vehicle.
The CJ-5 / camper was marketed as a new camping concept. It featured a unique industry-first detaching system that made removal of the camper a simple operation.
Jeep Cherokee Story
After its own market research convinced AMC that the future lay in compact SUVs, the automaker pumped $250 million into the design and production of the new compact XJ Cherokee and Wagoneer sports wagons. XJ designs date back to 1978, when a team of AMC and Renault engineers drew sketches and made clay models from the existing SJ Cherokee, but the all-new XJ series finally made its well-received debut in 1984, when it scored an unprecedented sweep of the "4x4 of the Year" awards by three primary off-road magazines.The 1984 Jeep® Cherokee was a revolutionary vehicle: 21 inches shorter, 6-inches narrower, 4 inches lower, and 1,000 pounds lighter than the full-size Wagoneer (SJ). It was built with a revolutionary unibody instead of a traditional chassis-and-frame.The XJ was the first vehicle with two available 4X4 systems: Command-Trac® part-time and Selec-Trac® full-time 4X4. XJs have proven enduringly popular with 4X4 enthusiasts for their off-highway abilities and wide availability of aftermarket modifications.
Until 1988, the Cherokee was the only compact SUV to offer both two- and four-door models. Originally fitted with the choice of a 2.5L four-cylinder engine or a 2.8L V-6, the venerable 4.0L inline-six engine debuted in 1987.
There were 14 trim models throughout the years: Base, SE, Wagoneer Limited, Briarwood, Pioneer, Pioneer Olympic Edition, Chief, Sport, Country, Classic, Limited, Laredo, Freedom, and 60th Anniversary Edition.
Jeep Wrangler (YJ) Story
The Jeep® Wrangler (YJ) replaced the long-lived CJ Series. It had a wider track, angled grille, rectangular headlamps, and a modernized interior. All this made it a very "civilized" Jeep Wrangler.Although the Wrangler shared the familiar open-body profile of the CJ-7, it contained few common parts with its famous predecessor. Mechanically, the Wrangler had more in common with the Cherokee than the CJ-7. The Wrangler YJ had square headlights, which was a first (and last) for this type of Jeep vehicle.
Wrangler trim levels included: Base ("S" or "SE"), Laredo, Islander, Sport, Sahara, Renegade, and Rio Grande.
On Aug. 5, 1987, about a year after the introduction of the Wrangler, American Motors Corporation was sold to the Chrysler Corporation and the popular Jeep brand became a part of Chrysler Jeep / Eagle Division.
Hope you Enjoyed the read.
The Jeep Willys CJ-5 (after 1964 Vehicle CJ-5) was influenced by simply new corporate and business owner, Chef, and the Korean language War M38A1 Jeep. It was designed to replace the CJ-3B, nevertheless that version continued in production. The CJ-5 repeated this routine, continuing in production for 3 decades although three new models came out. "The CJ-5 has the unique honor penalized a vehicle that was hard to eliminate off... equaling the lengthiest production manage of notice. "
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