The Jeep at a Glance
No other off-road vehicle basks in a large following and widely loved as the Jeep. An icon in the world of motoring, the Jeep exudes a certain aura that draws people who love to live carefree lives. But what makes the Jeep an appealing vehicle is its rich history that deeply embedded in the value of patriotism.
In’40, three motoring companies were tapped to create a transport utility vehicle that will primarily serve the US Army: American Bantam Car Company, Ford Motor Company, and Willys-Overland. The primary objective of the project was to build a vehicle that can traverse certain terrains without compromising its durability. Willys-Overland got the contract but with their limited resources, the US Army soon requested Ford Company to build the vehicles using Willys-Overland design.
The finished model was coded GPW by Ford with G standing for government, P in reference to the 80 inch wheelbase, and W for the Willys-Overland car design. Hundreds of thousands of Jeeps saw action in the Second World War and some were even leased to the British and Russians under the lend-lease program. The Jeep was a multi-purpose vehicle during the war, capable of serving as a communications vehicle to a light attack vehicle when rigged with a .50 cal machine gun.
With the Allies success in the war, the Jeep became an icon of victory. Pictures of victorious Allied soldiers and leaders posing with the Jeep catapulted the vehicle’s popularity after the war. War personalities like Roosevelt, Churchill, Eisenhower, and MacArthur photographed with Jeeps in the background played a big role in the Jeep’s rise to fame.
By the time war was over, Jeep was already a household name. Capitalizing on the free publicity it got in the war, Willys-Overland began to manufacture civilian Jeeps. The public’s general reaction was significantly positive. The Jeep went on to become one of the best “selling” vehicles of all time.
The Jeep eventually evolved to keep up with time. Major and minor changes were implemented. But one thing the Jeep never ditched was its familiar, rugged look.
Today, the Jeep enjoys a large fan base comprised of people from diverse backgrounds. With such following, it is highly unlikely that the production of the all Jeeps and the most popular model, Jeep Wrangler, will totally halt. Asked why many people are so hooked to this vehicle, the only constant answer will be, “It’s a Jeep thing; you wouldn’t understand.
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