History, technical details and pictures

History of the Jeep Willys MB

In 1940, the U.S. military decided to command a light reconnaissance vehicle. It called the help of the American Bantam Car Company located in Pennsylvania (USA). Willys and Ford firms are also involved in the manufacture of prototypes, each of them.

The model adopted in October 1941 by the American army is produced by the company and called Willys MB. But once the United States entered the war after Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the Army wanted two different suppliers. Then it chooses Ford, which produced the same vehicle manufactured by Willys but called GPW.

Very quickly, this small reconnaissance vehicle was called "Jeep." The origin of this nickname came from the oral contraction of the letters GP (for "General Purpose") which became "Jeep".

Fast and convenient, this vehicle was the car to do everything. Thus can we see Jeep used as ambulances, troops transport, command car, etc...

Used by a large majority of the armies in the world after World War II, the Jeep is a symbol of this international conflict and is still widely used today.

Jeep Willys MB sheet

Creator: USA
Name: Jeep Willys MB
Total production: 650 000 units (during WW2)

Length: 3,36 m
Width: 1,58 m
Height: 1,77 m
Weight: 1400 kg
Maximum speed: 105 km/h
Range: 380 km

Armament: 12,7 mm Browning machine gun

Engine: 4-cylinder Willys Overland MB gazoline, 60 hp to 3820 rpm