Jeep history
Jeep history begins in 1940, when the U.S. Department of Defense issued a tender for the supply of easy and reliable car model of general purpose for the U.S. Army. Among participants of the tender there were such companies as American Bantam, Willys-Overland and Ford Motor.
Initial contracts for 1500 automobiles had been concluded with each of these companies. Jeep CJ5 history
Jeep CJ7 history
Jeep Cherokee history
Jeep Wagoneer history
Jeep history: Willys
As a result, the preference was given to Willys MB automobile, mostly because of its low cost ($738,74). So, 23th June, 1941 is the day of starting volume manufacturing of Jeep cars because the contract for volume manufacturing of Willys MB cars during World War II had been concluded.
According to one opinion, the nickname “Jeep” comes from GP (General Purpose). Willys MB automobiles were labeled with GP in indent documentation.
According to another opinion, “GP” is a term of the Ford Motor, where “G” means Government (an automobile produced according to governmental contract) and “P” means automobile with 80 inches wheelbase (according to Ford Motor’s classification).
Volume production of Willys MB and Ford GPW (using Willys’ schemes) began in 1942. Willys MB and Ford GPW were almost undistinguishable from each other. Both had a common Willys 77 engine and a three-range transmission. This off roader seat four people, weighed a little over a ton and could pick up 105 km/h. In Jeep history these universal cars were used as machine gun carriers, as trucks, scout cars, automobiles for military officers, transportation of armory and the wounded, laying communication lines, etc. Totally, Willys manufactured more than 360,000 Jeeps. Most of them came into operation in the Red Army. Ford manufactured a bit less automobiles – 270,000.
Army Jeep brought Willys unprecedented success and worldwide fame. In 1944 Willys started working on the first in Jeep history civilian Jeep – model CJ. The company decided not to make a lot of modifications. They constructed almost the same car as army Jeep, but they started manufacturing it under the label CJ (Civilian Jeep). Willys’ wide range of post-war cargo-and-passenger and scout vehicles were registered as civilian just because they weren’t colored in khaki.
In 1950 the international trade mark Jeep had been registered. In the beginning of 1992 concern Chrysler made a sensation: it finally exhibited a new generation of middle-size off roaders named Jeep Grand Cherokee which replaced Grand Wagoneer known in Jeep history since 1962 under Kaiser-Willis trademark.
The modern Jeep model
In 1997 manufacturing of the modern Jeep model Wrangler (of 6th Jeep generation) had been started. In its latest modifications Wrangler became much more comfortable. The new Jeep got rid of all his carriage springs which were replaced by coil suspension Quadra-Coil. The design became smoother and the excessive aggressiveness of the previous model had disappeared. The new Wrangler is waterproof like a good watch.
The next period of Jeep history is the year 1998 when corporations Daimler Benz and Chrysler had merged. The new concern got a name DaimlerChrysler.
In 1998-1999 Grand Cherokee’s SUV standard improves again and the model reaches a new level of style and luxury. High level technical solutions such as switching from 2 to 4 traction wheels makes Grand Cherokee the leader of SUV class compact cars market segment again.
In 2004 Jeep gets new power-transmission plants, including CRD engine.
