Jeep is one of the most famous carmakers in the world. And whether you are in Germany, rural Australia, or the Himalayas mountain ranges, you will hardly find someone who doesn’t identify with a Wrangler. Jeep has become a household name for any kind of regular off-roader. And like most automakers, Jeep has been through thick and thin, changing ownership several times in its long history.
The history of the Jeep dates back to World War I, and the company manufactured more variations of its trucks for military use throughout World War II. It was a small, compact, and easily transportable vehicle either by plane or gliders could be easily floated across water bodies or dropped right from a parachute.
With that in mind, let’s chronicle the history of the Jeep from its World War military battle design to its most modern sport utility variations in 2002.
Origin and Ownership
When it became apparent that the U.S was going to take part in World War II, the Army contacted two companies; the American Bantam and Willys-Overland car companies, to produce four-wheel-drive reconnaissance cars. Work began on the prototype on 17th July 1940. Fast forward, the first military reconnaissance Jeep was completed in Butler, Pennsylvania, and on 23rd September the same year, Army testing took place in Maryland.
The car met all the military criteria after testing except the torque. And since time was of the essence, the military supplied the design to other companies such as Ford and Willys. The three companies spent time producing military Jeeps and heavy-duty trucks for the Army until 1942.
Post-War Military Jeeps
After World War II, Jeep began experimenting with new designs, which included models that could drive underwater. By 1950, 1000 units of underwater models were constructed and tested for reconnaissance and command operations. Their engines were modified to breathe underwater.
Fast forward to 1954, and the Jeep had been widely imitated around the world. The parent company, Willys, granted manufacturing licenses to France’s Delahaye, Japan’s Mitsubishi, and Toyota, and its production also inspired the emergence of the Land Rover.
The 1965 M715 Jeep
Jeep developed its M715 model in 1965 as a military truck that served extensively during the Vietnam War. This model had heavier and full-loading axles with a foldable and flat windshield. The same model is being produced by Kia today.
The 1987 Chrysler Ownership
As a brand of American carmakers, Jeep remained part of the Stellantis division of the automobile industry ever since. But starting in 1987, it became part of Chrysler after an ownership shift from the American Motors Corporation’s previous owner (AMC).
The last three decades have seen the Jeep become as familiar to the rich and as famous to the regular Joe. And some of the dignitaries to grace the Jeep since the first unit was produced are as follows:
- Queen Elizbeth was driven in a Jeep in her wartime visit to Northern Ireland.
- Prime minister Winston Churchill sat in a jeep while he watched the historic landing at Normandy.
- U.S president Franklin Roosevelt sat in a jeep as he inspected troops in Morocco.
Today’s Jeep
The current model of the Jeep was conceived in 2002, and the product range consists of solely sport utility vehicles (both off-roaders and crossover models and pick-up trucks). That is a shift from its previous range, including small vans, multiple pick-up truck variations, and a few roadsters. Jeeps have also been notoriously introduced as tour vehicles, from the Pink Jeep tours in Sedona, Arizona, to the Patagonia jeep tours in southern Patagonia. Jeeps have become a staple for off road exploration, and they have earned the right to be recognized as such.
Jeeps for Life
Since its post-war design, the Jeep has left behind a trail of dead companies and changed ownership rights multiple times in its long history. Currently, it is still part of Chrysler and has produced awesome byword cars loved by everyone.