The oldest Jeep is a Ford

[34pickup]

This is in a local museum here in Huntsville. Interesting place. I thought some of you might be interested in reading this.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2016/...jeep-isnt-one/

[mhsprecher]

I thought that the design was by American Bantam, but that the army wondered whether they had the capacity to build in the quantities that the military needed? Easy enough to confirm. Interesting piece nonetheless.

[DavidG]

mhsprecher is correct, the GP which became known as the Jeep, was designed by American Bantam, not by Ford nor by Willys. This is pretty well known and the posted material is just another example of unverified "facts that aren't facts" that infest the news media these days.

[Fibber Mcgee]

It did say oldest "existing" jeep prototype. I know Ford did compete for the GP design contract. Maybe the other prototypes didn't survive.

[35fordtn]

If you read the Wikipedia article is does state American Bantam produced the first prototype in 1940 but did not have the capabilities to produce on a large scale. However the article you posted stated the Ford is the oldest in existence which is true. The first Bantam prototype was sold off with many others as army surplus. Makes you wonder, if maybe tucked away in a barn somewhere sits the lost prototype Bantam.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willys_MB

[Mike in AZ]

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cool old Ford.....good to see it survived.....thanks for sharing....Mike

[Barry-ct]

The Bantam prototype was called a "BRC". A friend of mine has a Ford GP and that was one tough resto. His was one from the first contract the army issued to Ford. The is an very early Bantam BRC in New Jersey. It's owned by people who run a Jeep parts and restoration company in one of the resort towns on the coast. Can't remember their name. I was big into WWII vehicles at one time and bought parts from them for my 45 Willys MB.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

I've built a few early jeep engine built by Ford, they have a timing chain instead of gears and the cam goes in the other direction, every part on the engine has a f on it. They are flatheads not over heads. The last one had F on each head bolt but they were almost rusted off, the owner bought 10 new head bolt, I think they were about 10 bucks each. Walt

[TonyM]

I am betting he meant Oldest existing Jeep, not the oldest example of a jeep being produced.

[Karl]

As I understand it Willys , Ford and Bantam all submitted prototypes
They all looked very similar as the army had leaked details of Bantams prototype to the other two

[Mike in AZ]

i believe the Bantam had a rounder grill profile, similar to the Dodge PowerWagon....slat grilles...then Willys came back with lighter weight and the Go Devil 4-cylinder engine....more power, lighter weight plus durability won the contract...as i remember it....lol.....or remember reading it....anyhoo....Mike

[ford38v8]

The following is my recollection, please correct any mistakes... Bantam was the only taker on the bid. Ford and Willys didn't respond to the bid call, and when Willys produced their prototype within the specified time frame of 30 days, the government goaded Ford and Willys to submit prototypes, which actually did not meet the specs as Bantam's had previously. Again, as I remember, Ford's body was accepted with modifications, and Willys's engine was accepted. Bantam was awarded the contract for trailers as they were deemed incapable of fulfilling the vehicle contract.

Both Ford and Willis got production contracts, amid serious rivalry. Ford identified every part with the Ford logo, and was bashed by Willys for doing so, after which no ID was used on Ford's product. Some other parts were different, and remained so, such as the front axle, I believe.

The name Jeep was never an official designation, it was MB for Willys, GP for Ford.

OK experts, how'd I do?

[vtwinsideways]

I'll just stir a little more...
http://www.farmcollector.com/farm-li...eep-story.aspx
http://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc...X/3396821.html

[Bluebell]

Ford38V8, My recall is that Willys actually won the contract. (I think Bantam was the only one to submit their vehicle on time) (The Pigmy turned out to be sadly lacking (badly under powered, was one thing)
Anyhow Willys having won, was asked if another manufacturer could also build the Willys Jeep. Willys agreed as long as they built the most vehicles. Ford was the other manufacturer, and went about improving many aspects. The pressed grill was Fords idea. (the components had to be interchangeable) The first contract let to Ford saw the Ford GPW built on Willys supplied Chassis.
Ford manufactured the majority of the spare parts.
The History is well documented on the name "Jeep" and where it came from.

[1952henry]

The first Bantam was involved in an accident at Holabird. It's remains are rumoured to be buried there. The first preproduction Fords had Model a transmissions and N series Ford engines. Neither were up to the thrashing given during testing. A neighbor has a GP with the N engine. G stood for for government contract, P for 80" wheelbase. The W was Willys pattern once the final specs were settled. It is my understanding the Bantam blueprints weren't leaked but outright given to the other two. Bantam got to make 1/4 ton trailers and torpedo engines

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Earlier Jeeps were produced with that criss- cross grill but they all went to the 9 slot style because it was labour intensive to produce compared to pressing the one we are all familiar with.. and that was Fords idea. Sorry I've just read ford38v8's reply...he's already said it. I think I've read also that after the war when Willys continued with the CJ series they went to a 7 slot grill because the 9 slotter was Fords design...there might have been some sort of patent on it for civillian production.

GB