| Without
a doubt the Jeep Willys MB occupies a significant position in the whole
automotive history. The origin of the Jeep vehicle dates back to early
1941, when U.S. Forces ordered the Willys, Ford, and Bantam companies to
develop prototypes of a small sized multi-purpose 4-wheel drive vehicle.
During the early stage of WW2, Germany had achieved outstanding
successes by using motorized troops with their "Blitzkrieg" tactics. It
became a pressing need for allied nations to possess tough and reliable
vehicles with excellent cross-country ability. In November 1941, the
Army, with alterations on the front grille and hood to the Ford design,
chose the Willy's vehicle as the basis for the mass production model.
This marked the birth of the Willys MB (Model B) that provided unmatched
ability to transport Allied troops during the conflict. The early Willys
MB had a welded, slat type front grille. Due to the necessity of
increasing production, the Army ordered Ford to join the mass production
using the Willys MB's blueprints. It was designated the GPW, and a
simple, pressed steelfront grille was introduced. During WW2, the Willys
MB and Ford GPW ran over every battlefield. As a means of transit for
soldiers, it played an important role in bringing the Allied victory. It
was also used for liason, command, communication and sometimes even as
an ambulance for a light firearms carrier. Production reached
approximately 640,000 units by August 1945 |
