How the American Jeep got it's name

Discussion in 'General' started by Franek, Jun 12, 2009.

Tags:
  1. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    We see how it got the name but what about the production efforts!

    Truth or not on production - Yes/No?

    JEEP
    Nearly 649,000 of these vehicles were produced during WW11, 631,873 were delivered to the US Army and Air Force. Mostly used to support the Allied armed forces in war. In 1939 the US Military asked 135 companies to submit designs for an all-purpose vehicle. Only three companies responded to the request, Willys, Ford and Bantam. Willys-Overland was granted the manufacturing contract. The word 'Jeep' comes from the code letters GP the G meaning Government and the P a code letter meaning '80 inch wheelbase reconnaissance car' the name given to the Ford prototype and adopted by Willys as their trade mark. When slurred together the letters GP sounds like 'Jeep'. Peak production at the Willys-Overland plant in Toledo, Ohio, was one Jeep every 80 seconds.
     
  2. Kuno

    Kuno Very Senior Member

    The Jeep was inspiration to many later 4x4 vehicles; no only the Landrover. Toyota Landcruiser for example and not to forget the russian products (cannot recal the names now). However; once the Landrover was a famous vehicle it was basis for 'inspiration' as well. Mazda copied one and also Nissan's G.60 looked like a LR.

    Same story happens today with the US built HMVEE (Hummer). There is a spanish copy from URO. The Renault SHERPA, the Chinese have one and not to forget the Toyota Mega Cruiser. Guess there are even more...
     
  3. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    There's a weird prototype vehicle that was intended for the SAS but the project was cancelled (One survivor turns up at Beltring most years) get's cited as a significant contributing inspiration for the HMMWV, can't remember the designation right now though, it's kind of like an LSV, but heavier...

    On production of jeep:
    Ford made c.277,896 GPWs
    Willys c.361,349.
    So I can well believe the 'one every 80 seconds' thing.

    Like the Sherman, it staggers me how so useful a vehicle was taken from concept to mass production in so short a time. Specs laid down in May/June 1940 - substantial trial production by the end of that year - contracts being issued for 16,000+ vehicles by July '41.
    I reckon US engineering can be damned proud of the wartime jeep.

    Seems to me it's not even truly obsolete now, still could pass as a reasonably useful light military truck?
     
  4. Kuno

    Kuno Very Senior Member

    There was a Lambhorgini which was looking like today's HMMVEE... but this was many years back.
     
  5. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    The Cheetah?
    I had pictures of it on my wall as a kid, and wanted the Tamiya RC kit of it... but now think I'd be excruciatingly embarrassed to be seen out in one :D.
    [​IMG]
    Lamborghini Cheetah
    I see there was a later version in the 'LM002' - never seen that before.
     
    Bodston likes this.
  6. Kuno

    Kuno Very Senior Member

    I remeber a report in a magazine. There is really a connection from Lamborghini to AM General (the manufacturer of the HMMVEE). But I cannot recall it properly. Have it at my other home in Europe and cannot reach it unfortunately...

    Anyhow; a vehicle of the size of the HMMVEE which is designed to carry 4 persons is not really an improvement compared to the old Jeeps...
     
  7. Bodston

    Bodston Little Willy

    The Cheetah?
    I had pictures of it on my wall as a kid, and wanted the Tamiya RC kit of it...


    I had the Tamiya XR311 R/C kit
    [​IMG]
     
  8. Peter Clare

    Peter Clare Very Senior Member

    Don't know much about Jeeps but thought this was a rather good photo.

    Seems its a GPW Recon Car taken 22 September 1942. Willow Run bomber plant and 3509th Army Air Force base.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Kuno

    Kuno Very Senior Member

    Simply a 'cool car' - cannot be topped by today's SUVs and all that stuff!
     
  10. Passchendaele_Baby

    Passchendaele_Baby Grandads Little Girl

    Interesting, very interesting :)

    - Sorry guys, I be original, ME WANTS A HUMMER!! :D
     

Share This Page