The Ford Barn

5lugnuts · 07-17-2016, 02:16 PM

The first reconnaissance car (later called jeep) was built by Bantam. The gov then requested prototypes (meeting design requirements) to be submitted by auto manufactures. Willys, Bantam and Ford submitted their samples for testing. The Willys patern was chosen. During the war about 600,000 jeeps were built more than half by Willys. The Ford built jeeps had a Ford F on all bolt heads and stamped on most parts. Ford wanted the advertising to GIs and to not have their vehicles confused with the Willys vehicles although all parts were interchangeable. The Ford chassis was overweight and different from the Willys chassis. As a result the Ford vehicles exceeded the weight requirement more than Willys. Willys got the first big contract then Ford got a contract.
Bantam was not chosen to build jeeps but was chosen to build jeep trailers. At the time Bantam was a smaller company and not expected to be able to produce as many vehicles as were needed.
The engine used was a flathead 4 cyl. I'm not sure about the transmission being from the Model A but it looked very similar in size with a transfer case bolted on the back. The Model A clutch disk will fit the jeep trans.
Both vehicles have clever and simple designs and have lasted longer then expected.

07-17-2016, 02:16 PM	#5
5lugnuts Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Clermont in Central Florida Posts: 111	Re: First Jeep was a Ford with...... The first reconnaissance car (later called jeep) was built by Bantam. The gov then requested prototypes (meeting design requirements) to be submitted by auto manufactures. Willys, Bantam and Ford submitted their samples for testing. The Willys patern was chosen. During the war about 600,000 jeeps were built more than half by Willys. The Ford built jeeps had a Ford F on all bolt heads and stamped on most parts. Ford wanted the advertising to GIs and to not have their vehicles confused with the Willys vehicles although all parts were interchangeable. The Ford chassis was overweight and different from the Willys chassis. As a result the Ford vehicles exceeded the weight requirement more than Willys. Willys got the first big contract then Ford got a contract. Bantam was not chosen to build jeeps but was chosen to build jeep trailers. At the time Bantam was a smaller company and not expected to be able to produce as many vehicles as were needed. The engine used was a flathead 4 cyl. I'm not sure about the transmission being from the Model A but it looked very similar in size with a transfer case bolted on the back. The Model A clutch disk will fit the jeep trans. Both vehicles have clever and simple designs and have lasted longer then expected.