Jeep origins... Ford?

[gizmohd]

Watched a documentary today talking about the Origin of the Jeep...

While Bantam made the initial contract and design, Uncle Sam sent the plans out to both Willys and Ford to create prototypes.

All three companies were awarded the contracts to make the vehicles.

The Willys vehicle had the designator of MA (Military model A)

The Ford was given the name GP (Government 40" width)

The Bantam was called the BRC-40

The Army required all three vehicles to have interchangeable parts. But Ford didnt want their parts to end up in Willys vehicles without getting credit so they stamped all the parts, down to the nuts and bolts with a script letter "F"



https://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_ford_gp.php

So while Ford didn't invent the Jeep, they were there at the beginning for the origin of the vehicle...

Both the Land Rover and the Toyota Land Cruiser were based off of the original military GP Platform.

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[JBowles]

Ford has some bona fide Jeep cred for sure, they designed the M151 jeeps too.

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

FJ=Foreign Jeep (or Fake Jeep)

James May's show on Amazon, Cars for the People, has a good history of how the modern 4x4 has evolved from the original Jeeps and Defenders to what we have today https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5358790/?ref_=ttep_ep2

 

[goatman]

Yep, when looking at old flat fenders, you can look for the F on the bolts to see if it was a Ford or not.

 

[Exomodo]

Ford is the only company to produce the original Jeep that didn't fold up like a cheap suit or be passed around by axis power countries manufacturers like an over-served freshman at a frat party...

 

[Lcubed]

Ford is the only company to produce the original Jeep that didn't fold up like a cheap suit or be passed around by axis power countries manufacturers like an over-served freshman at a frat party...

english is my first language and i lost something in translation when i read this

 

[Stitches1974]

Though they didn't start on the original Jeep, Mitsubishi made Jeeps for 45 years. Longer than any other company, besides Jeep. 1953-1998.

 

[tjnoffy]

Watched a documentary today talking about the Origin of the Jeep...

While Bantam made the initial contract and design, Uncle Sam sent the plans out to both Willys and Ford to create prototypes.

All three companies were awarded the contracts to make the vehicles.

The Willys vehicle had the designator of MA (Military model A)

The Ford was given the name GP (Government 40" width)

The Bantam was called the BRC-40

The Army required all three vehicles to have interchangeable parts. But Ford didnt want their parts to end up in Willys vehicles without getting credit so they stamped all the parts, down to the nuts and bolts with a script letter "F"



https://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_ford_gp.php

So while Ford didn't invent the Jeep, they were there at the beginning for the origin of the vehicle...

Both the Land Rover and the Toyota Land Cruiser were based off of the original military GP Platform.

I understand that Ford built about 1/4 of a million "Jeeps" during WWII.

 

[bytheway]

Yep, when looking at old flat fenders, you can look for the F on the bolts to see if it was a Ford or not.

That’s supposedly the Inspiration behind Bronco bolts.

 

[Deleted member 3063]

I understand that Ford built about 1/4 of a million "Jeeps" during WWII.

That's GPs to you fella.
kidding but ford is responsible for the name as well, willies stole it.

 

[Stitches1974]

That's GPs to you fella.
kidding but ford is responsible for the name as well, willies stole it.

Willys, pronounced Willis.

 

[Benzo]

Indeed the jeep has interesting history.

stated in the link below "the “T” latches still used to hold down the hood were a Ford innovation, as was the single-piece, stamped slotted grille with round headlights that Jeep also uses as a logo."


https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a...ere-check-out-their-miraculous-75-year-story/

 

[josephs6392]

Ford is the only company to produce the original Jeep that didn't fold up like a cheap suit or be passed around by axis power countries manufacturers like an over-served freshman at a frat party...

We also conveniently overlook Henry Fords business association with Hitler and his well documented anti Semitic stance prior to WWII. Henry II stepped in as a young man to manage the company and help us win the war. Another one of history’s ironic stories.

 

[Deleted member 3063]

Willys, pronounced Willis.

yes dear

 

[Lazerus]

Here's a pretty good piece from about a year ago on CNBC. Covers a lot of the history of Jeep.

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