WILLYS JEEP
The absolute automotive emblem of American military might, the Willys Jeep is sturdy and practical. It is also appreciating rapidly in value, says Phil White.
The word iconic is used a lot when discussing classic cars, and sometimes it is deserved. But few vehicles can so richly merit the term as the Willys Jeep, and even fewer have been icons almost from launch. Then again, not many cars were the vehicular totem of the most significant conflict in human history. It was, according to US army Chief of Staff General George Marshall, ‘America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare.’ These days, no WW2 film worth its salt would be complete without a few Jeeps going about their business, that distinctive engine and transmission sound an intrinsic part of the soundscape.
The Americans were caught rather on the hop when war broke out. While Germany had been developing its Porsche-designed Kübelwagen since 1938, America had no standardised light military vehicle in 1940. Three companies each developed a design to the government’s brief, and the result incorporated the best features of them all. The initial manufacturing contract was awarded to Willys Overland, but another was soon given to Ford in order to increase production. As a result, what we know as the Willys Jeep is named either the Willys MB or the Ford GPW, but it is the same car. This being America, Willys took legal action to be recognised as the creator of a car largely designed by committee. It lost, but we call it the Willys Jeep to this day. So much for the rule of law.
Almost 650,000 Jeeps were built during World War 2, and it went on to serve in subsequent theatres of war such as Korea. Instantly recognisable, the Jeep was an incredibly capable and versatile little car. It was adaptable for a multitude of purposes, and could operate in very rough terrain. America and its allies made extensive use of it everywhere. The key to its capabilities was fourwheel-drive, which could be selected by the driver via a simple lever. It had low and high range – selected by another lever – and three forward speeds. The engine was a chain-driven, fourcylinder, 2.2-litre petrol unit known with very American swagger as the Go-devil. It produced around 60bhp and decent torque. Although you can get a Jeep to do up to 60mph, its useable top speed is generally regarded as 40mph. So clearly this isn’t a car for the motorway, but thanks to the transmission, the ground clearance and an overall weight of 1113kg, the Jeep could transport three soldiers and their equipment over almost any terrain. This is America’s Land Rover. [Surely it is more correct to say that the Land Rover is the UK’S Jeep? – Ed]
It was an incredibly versatile machine, and saw service in almost every army activity imaginable. The front screen could be folded flat, and the roof was a folding canvas hood. The load bay could be put to as many uses as military imagination could devise, as could the flat bonnet. This is one of the most definitive utility vehicles in the world – it has no doors, the seats are thin slabs of foam and everything is metal.
Obviously, you are unlikely to buy a Jeep for everyday use. Many owners cherish their Jeeps and take them to car shows, but a significant number still use Jeeps for agricultural and horticultural work. And make no mistake, with correct maintenance they can work for a living despite being almost 80 years old. Maintenance is entirely within the capabilities of a good 4x4 specialist, and several Jeep experts are out there whose knowledge of the car is profound. Spares are still available, partly because the Jeep was manufactured after the war in Europe.
As a wartime utility vehicle, almost all Jeeps have had a hard life at some point, but thanks to their overall simplicity they are also highly restorable, making it surprisingly feasible to own one. However, values of wartime Jeeps are climbing rapidly, to the point where they are acquiring investment status. Next year will bring us to the 80th anniversary of WW2’S ending, which will further focus attention on its vehicular heroes. So I suspect that Jeep prices will continue to climb for some time to come. If this particular war hero is on your must-have list, I’d grab the side handle and clamber aboard one now.