The Jeep MB - A little history

The Jeep MB (1941-1945) 

A little history

It goes back to the 30s to understand what led to its creation. At the time, in the military, the ultimate all-terrain was ... horse. But he was carrying one passenger with a short equipment, and required a "maintenance" very restrictive. The bike, even with a side, arrived quickly after its limits. The military was therefore looking for a machine capable of replacing the horse, of course, more opportunities.

There has been some early stage no further action, especially from Bantam, a small American manufacturer that produces Austin under license. But the project of great interest because it sees this as a way to improve his little bright situations. After much deliberation, in June 1940, the first specifications are established, and among these was 4 wheel drive, 80-inch wheelbase and especially weight of 590 kg! But the military are very demanding. While starting from a blank sheet of paper, they want 70 vehicles to be built in 75 days, with only 49 to produce the first prototype! 135 tenders will be sent to potential manufacturers.

This is a very Bantam qualified engineer, just hired for the occasion, Karl Probst, accomplished the feat to make plans and calculations that will be the future Jeep ... 5 days only! More Bantam is committed to deliver the order on time. This is not the case that Willys request 75 days to complete the prototype and 120 days to deliver the first copies. So Bantam wins the first round, and delivers its first proto half an hour before the time limit. Only sprained initial estimate, the weight is far from 590 kg required. The prototype actually weighs 920 kg. But Probst is confident, confident that it will be impossible for anyone to get that weight, and the future will prove him right. The requirements of the army will be modified accordingly thereafter.

Events begin :

The first BRC (Bantam Reconnaissance Car) will then suffer the worst tests from the Army. And despite a few inevitable problems, she convinces the authorities. Only people Bantam are not very happy because the tests were conducted in the presence of "observers" very interested in Willys and ... Ford. Is that the Army was not very confident in the ability of Bantam to provide large amounts of material considered. However, Bantam continues to deliver production and, after making a few modifications, the 69 remaining copies.

But the Army already wants more, and makes a new order for 1500 Bantam BRC. At this point begins a campaign controversy, power struggles, and more or less obscure dealings between officials of the Army (the Quarter Master Corps) and Willys and Ford, who, feeling the bargain, also want their share of the cake.

So much so that the QMC rule in granting an order of 1500 models to all three manufacturers. We are at the end of 1940, and Willys meanwhile completed its first prototype, largely inspired by Bantam: the "Quad". Ford on the other hand looked at his own expense a vehicle of the same type, like also, and rightly, very close to the Bantam ... This will be the Pigmy presented 10 days after the Willys Quad.

The mass start :

Willys then received an initial order for 16 000 Jeep. But the Army requires many changes, and specific adaptations that give rise to the MB. However, in the upper echelons of politics and the military, we would like to be it that makes these powerful Ford Jeep. Especially, the war taking more and more important, the demand increases.

Willys can no longer ensure alone the whole production, we force them to give graciously plans, patents, and licensing, Ford will launch in the production of a standardized GP rehabilitated following the design of the Willys, and become the GPW. Ford take the opportunity to make some small adjustments, either to reinforce certain parts, or to adapt the Jeep with its own means of production

Until then, Willys Jeep produced with a wrought iron grille "Slat grill." There will thus 25,808. But the day when Ford comes on the scene with a GPW with a pressed steel grille, the Willys also adopt.

Gradually, production rates increase. At Willys Jeep is produced in a single plant in Toledo, while at Ford, the production is distributed in five factories. Thus, the end of 1941 Willys, beginning in 1942 for Ford, up to mid-1945, the Jeep will be produced about 640,000 copies (360,000 Willys, Ford 280.000). We will never know the exact number as the numbers vary depending on the source.

Thanks for vintagearmynavyvehicles.com and jeep.com for the pictures