In July 1940, the U.S. military informed automakers that it was looking for a “light reconnaissance vehicle” to replace the Army's motorcycle and modified Ford Model-T vehicles.
The Army invited 135 manufacturers to bid on production and developed a lengthy specification list for the vehicle, including the following:
- 272kg (600-lb.) load capacity
- Wheelbase less than 1905mm (75 inches)
- Height less than 914mm (36 inches)
- Smooth-running engine from 4.8 to 80km/h (3 to 50 miles per hour)
- Rectangular-shaped body
- Four-wheel-drive with two-speed transfer case
- Fold-down windshield
- Three bucket seats
- Blackout and driving lights
- Gross vehicle weight below 590kgs (1,300 lbs.)
Initially Willys-Overland and the American Bantam Car Manufacturing Company were the only two companies which answered the call. Soon, however, Ford Motor Company entered the picture, and competition began among the three over which company would receive the lucrative government contract.
The Army took possession of these vehicles in November 1940 at Camp Holabird, Md. Each of the three designs exceeded the Army's specification of 589kgs (1,300 lbs.), but the Army soon realized that limit was far too low and raised it for the next round of vehicles.
The Army issued the next round of contracts in March 1941. Bantam was to produce 1,500 Model 40 BRC vehicles, Ford would build 1,500 modified and improved GP Pygmies and Willys would build 1,500 Quads.
It was this further round of testing and evaluation which led to the Army's selection of Willys as the primary manufacturer.
With modifications and improvements, the Willys Quad became the MA, and later the MB. But the Army, and the world, came to know it as the Jeep.
To read the full story in the July 2016 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (June 20) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.
