JEEPERS

In 1940, the U.S. Army commissioned a vehicle to be built in preparation for our entrance into World War II.  Only the American Bantam Car Company submitted a design in the time allotted based on the governments written requirements.  American Bantam was a very small company and the Army  knew they couldn't manufacture all their needs. 

The government gave Bantam's design to both the Ford Motor Company and Willys-Overland to submit a bid with their own modifications.  Ford's design was called the GP (general purpose) vehicle.  Ford and Willys manufactured 640,000 of this type of vehicle by 1945.  American Bantam went on to build trailers for the Army during the war. 

The word Jeep comes from sluring together the letters G.P.  After the war, Willys concentrated on the Jeep line of civilian products.  Today, the line is owned by Fiat Chrysler. 
Now you know.
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