Jeep Evolution
Added on 03-01-2006
“Jeep.” This title has become a common noun meaning high-passability cars. At that most people don’t know that Jeep is also the name trademark of a company that has been producing off-roads for over 60 years.
The History of Jeep dates far back to the past. At the beginning of 1938 the commandment of US Army realized the necessity of construction of a motored vehicle that would effectively supercede the traditional motorcycle with side-car. By December 22 1939 the management of Wyllis-Overland Company presented the first drafts of an original concept car that soon became world-famous under the title of Jeep. The car was supposed to be light, powerful and maneuverable.
After the war was over Wyllis-Overland Company decided to adjust its creation to performing certain civilian functions. A series of such cars was produced. They were titled simply CJ (abbreviated Civilian Jeep). These prototypes served as the basis for production of a serial model that hit the market as soon as in August 1945.
However, basically the only civic components it had was an adjustable back header, wind shield wipers and the lid of gasoline tank located on the back fender.
The Jeep logo was supposed to be put on the hood, back door and windshield frame, but during the first years of production, when the company was involved in court examinations initiated by American Bantam Car concerning use of Jeep title they had to produce cars with Wyllis logo. But as soon as in 1950 the company gained the right to use this brand name, so on June 13 1950 “Jeep” was registered as its trademark.
In 1946 Wyllis was the first car enterprise that suggested some kind of a minivan for civilian purposes. This car had a rear-wheel drive and enough room for up to 7 passengers. Perhaps its speed rates were rather low (100 km/h), but its main advantage was passability. As for AWD version presented in 1949, it was the direct ancestor of contemporary Grand Cherokee SUV that started this dynasty.
The result of its further development was Station Wagon model, a many-passenger Jeep that was being released between 1951 and 1963. Its base and exterior features served as a prototype for the first Wagoneer that in its turn laid the basis for construction of contemporary SUVs.
In 1953 the company got the new name of Wyllis Motors. Fortunately, Jeep division was integrated into it. As for Wyllis, they only got passenger-car production.
60ies were actually the most important in Jeep history, because exactly at that time the market of SUVs was being formed. As early as in the middle of 50ies the company got actively involved in research and development of new concept cars of 4x4 wheel arrangement. The first products appeared in Fall 1962, when the all-new Wagoneer Jeep (Universal) appeared, differing radically from everything they produced before. The model belonged to J series and was equipped with either all-wheel or drive or partial drive. In 1954 the fifth version Civilian ...
The History of Jeep dates far back to the past. At the beginning of 1938 the commandment of US Army realized the necessity of construction of a motored vehicle that would effectively supercede the traditional motorcycle with side-car. By December 22 1939 the management of Wyllis-Overland Company presented the first drafts of an original concept car that soon became world-famous under the title of Jeep. The car was supposed to be light, powerful and maneuverable.
After the war was over Wyllis-Overland Company decided to adjust its creation to performing certain civilian functions. A series of such cars was produced. They were titled simply CJ (abbreviated Civilian Jeep). These prototypes served as the basis for production of a serial model that hit the market as soon as in August 1945.
However, basically the only civic components it had was an adjustable back header, wind shield wipers and the lid of gasoline tank located on the back fender.
The Jeep logo was supposed to be put on the hood, back door and windshield frame, but during the first years of production, when the company was involved in court examinations initiated by American Bantam Car concerning use of Jeep title they had to produce cars with Wyllis logo. But as soon as in 1950 the company gained the right to use this brand name, so on June 13 1950 “Jeep” was registered as its trademark.
In 1946 Wyllis was the first car enterprise that suggested some kind of a minivan for civilian purposes. This car had a rear-wheel drive and enough room for up to 7 passengers. Perhaps its speed rates were rather low (100 km/h), but its main advantage was passability. As for AWD version presented in 1949, it was the direct ancestor of contemporary Grand Cherokee SUV that started this dynasty.
The result of its further development was Station Wagon model, a many-passenger Jeep that was being released between 1951 and 1963. Its base and exterior features served as a prototype for the first Wagoneer that in its turn laid the basis for construction of contemporary SUVs.
In 1953 the company got the new name of Wyllis Motors. Fortunately, Jeep division was integrated into it. As for Wyllis, they only got passenger-car production.
60ies were actually the most important in Jeep history, because exactly at that time the market of SUVs was being formed. As early as in the middle of 50ies the company got actively involved in research and development of new concept cars of 4x4 wheel arrangement. The first products appeared in Fall 1962, when the all-new Wagoneer Jeep (Universal) appeared, differing radically from everything they produced before. The model belonged to J series and was equipped with either all-wheel or drive or partial drive. In 1954 the fifth version Civilian ...
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