Military utility to civilian life
In 1940, the U.S. Army sought a small four-wheel-drive vehicle for military service. Designs from Bantam, Willys, and Ford contributed to the development of the wartime jeep, whose compact size and versatility made it useful for reconnaissance, transport, and many improvised tasks.
The familiar Willys MB and Ford GPW became part of the visual identity of American forces during World War II. Civilian Jeeps carried that utilitarian character into peacetime work and recreation. Their appeal rested on capability and adaptability rather than the comfort or ornament associated with a conventional passenger car.
What to look for
- Compact proportions and four-wheel drive
- A functional, adaptable body
- Continuity between military and civilian uses