As an auto transport company in Canada, we get to move some cool cars every month.
In today’s post we are going to talk about Jeep!
We will share a couple fun facts about this amazing brand.
Founded: 1943 trademark
1945 first civilian Jeep launched
Headquarters based in Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Owner: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Parent: Willys-Overland (1943-1953)
Kaiser-Jeep (1953-1970)
American Motors Corporation (1970-1986)
Chrysler (1987-present)
The original jeep was designed in just two days
With the United States' involvement in WWII on the horizon, the government recognized a desperate need to replace its aging fleet of Model T's, calling for a small, lightweight, three seat, four wheel drive vehicle. Karl Probst started work on his design for a barely-solvent truck company called Bantam on July 17, 1940, and finished two days later. By the 22nd, the entire proposal—including cost estimates—was handed in to Uncle Sam.
FUN FACT: the Army contacted 135 companies to create working prototypes of a four-wheel drive reconnaissance car.
No one really knows how the name Jeep came to be
While it’s commonly thought that “jeep” is a truncation of General Purpose vehicle, or GP, that’s likely wrong. Ford’s version was officially named GPW, where G means Government, P refers to the distance between the wheels (80 inches), and W stands for Willys, since the vehicles Ford produced were technically under license from Willys.
Alternately, some say it was common lingo to refer to all military prototypes as “jeeps,” and that “peeps” even entered the lexicon briefly.
What do you think?
Have you heard of any other stories about how the name came to be?
We can help you move your Jeeps or any vehicle across the country. Contact us today to get a free car shipping quote.
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