#Bantam Reconnaissance Car

[tybarious-ii]

The men who developed the jeep pause to commemorate the event outside the Bantam car factory in Butler, Pennsylvania. The prototype was delivered to the Army.

Date: September 21, 1940

source, source

[jackie-of-all-spades]

Considering that Bantam PA set a guiness world record for the longest parade of jeeps at the annual jeep heritage festival in 2015 I doubt that.

Jeep people that care about the brand tend to REALLY be jeep people. My local Pub is a part of Recon Brewing. It is named after the original name of the prototype of the Jeep, originally the Bantam Reconnaissance Car. The interior of all their locations are covered in jeep memorabilia. So no. There are people thar have thought more about jeep than that since ww2

Side note. A part of me wishes to start a franchise of Recon in little Tokyo but instead of old Willie's/Ford/Jeep stuff on the walls, have it be old Land Cruisers if you don't know why bel9w are a 1959 CJ3B vs a 1959 FJ-25

"The Jeep"

Elaine buys a Jeep and hates other Jeep owners giving her rubber ducks. Kramer tries to make a new gimmick to replace the ducks. George starts looking at Jeeps but everyone he talks to about it tells him they can't ever see him driving a Jeep. Jerry accidentally ends up the enemy of a local gang of Jeep drivers when they overhear him calling them "stupid and impractical" in a city like New York in an attempt to talk George out of buying one.

I think this episode would be the most anyone has thought about Jeeps since the end of WW2.

[automotiveamerican]

Edsel Ford, president of Ford Motor Company delivers initial order of 1,500 Jeeps GPWs to the Army - Pacific War Stories @YouTube

Edsel Ford, president of Ford Motor Company delivers initial order of 1,500 Jeeps GPWs to the Army – Pacific War Stories @YouTube

Pacific War Stories President Dwight Eisenhower called the Jeep “one of three decisive weapons the U.S. had during WWII,” and General George Marshall called it “America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare.” The Ford GPW had predecessors in its 1923 4×2 Reconnaissance Car, the Bantam Reconnaissance Car of the American Austin Company, and the Willys MB. Ford’s prototype, the “Pygmy” was…

[worldsfastestbear]

The 1940 American Bantam Reconnaissance Car, which was the ancestor to the WWII Jeep.  American Bantam was too small and financially precarious to satisfy the US Government, so the design was given to Willys to produce.

[mwsa-member]

The Original Jeeps in Pictures by Paul R. Bruno

MWSA Review Pending  

Author's Synopsis

The spring and summer of 1940 witnessed the resounding defeat of the French Army and British Expeditionary Force at the hands of a modernized German Army, designed to take advantage of the latest advances in technology. This included mobile vehicles, tanks used in formation to puncture enemy lines, as well as close air support of ground forces. The evacuation of the British from Dunkirk, and the final defeat of their French ally in June 1940, left only a thin line of English fighter planes between that island nation and total defeat.

While events unfolded rapidly in Europe, leaders of the United States Army, decimated by demobilization after World War I and budget cuts during the Great Depression, knew they were completely unprepared for this new type of mobile warfare, called Blitzkrieg or “lightning war.” Experts in the Army had worked from the end of World War I to develop a combined light weapons carrier and command/reconnaissance vehicle—but with limited success. In June 1940 the military compiled a list of requirements for a revolutionary new truck to replace the cart and mule as the Army’s primary method of moving troops and small payloads.

This book tells the story in images of the American Bantam Car Company, Willys-Overland Motors, Inc., and the Ford Motor Company, who all dared to meet the challenge to build pilot models, and eventually production models, of this vehicle. Their journey throughout 1940 and into 1941 comprises a story from which legends come. Overcoming incredible challenges and long odds these firms built the original ¼-ton truck 4x4 “lights”, later known as the iconic Jeep.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 206

Word Count: 8,500

[steel-and-paper]

This was the first Jeep upon completion September 21 1940 at the Butler Pennsylvania plant after a 49 day build. It’s an amazing story of pride drive and ingenuity. It’s called the BRC. Bantam reconnaissance car. Look at the pride on the face of them builders. Impacts us to this day.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

“Army Jeep Driven By Woman Scuttles Up City Hall Steps,” Toronto Star. February 27, 1942. Page 3. ---- LUCKY LUXTON AND STAFF SERGEANT MAGEE A dun-colored bundle of close-knit horsepower scuttled up the steps of the city hall, did a U-turn on the speakers’ platform, jitter-bugged down again, whisked about the cenotaph and braked to a sudden stop.

‘It’s a jeep,’ said someone in the crowd who stopped to watch.

‘That’s a girl,’ chorused others as the khaki-clad driver turned down the collar of her sheepskin-lined coat.

For half an hour the bantam scout car, expertly handled by Driver ‘Lucky’ Luxton of the Canadian Women’s Army Corps, demonstrated the qualities which make it the army’s favorite reconnaissance vehicle. It climbed the steps forward and backward, came down sidewise, turned on a dime, took off like a startled antelope, took curbs and bumps in its stride.

‘Just a rehearsal,’ was the explanation of Staff Sergt. Charles Magee, who rode beside the driver. ‘She’s going to put on a real performance when they raise the Victory Loan thermometer.

‘For any driving job requiring skill and nerve, they can’t choose better than ‘Lucky,’ Magee added. The Detroit girl, daughter of a Michigan state policeman, before the war was a professional motor-cycle rider and has thrilled crowds at the C.N.E. Two months before the C.W.A.C. was organizd she came to Toronto to join the women’s army. To fill in time while she waited, she got a job in a downtown garage.

For the past 10 days, ‘Lucky’ has ben the only girl in a mechanized cavalcade of Canadian and U.S. troupes which toured Ontario to boost the Victory Loan. ‘She did a swell job,’ said Magee.

[m4a1-shermayne]

The 37mm GMC T2 tank destroyer based on the BRC-40 Bantam Reconnaissance Car. 

[maddyaddy]

Cavalry Groups were the result of a 1943 reorganization. In this sweeping change, regiments were abolished in the Army outside of the Infantry arm. In their favor, they established groups. Ostensibly, these were to be task-organized, with no organic units but the HQ elements and subordinate units attached as needed. In the case of the cavalry at least, however, the two assigned squadrons were attached for the length of the group’s service. Overall, the group as a whole was attached to the large Corps-sized formations, serving chiefly as reconnaissance assets.

US armored divisions also had organic armored reconnaissance units, as did infantry divisions.

The multifarious mounts of the mechanized cavalry were many. Lightest of these assets was the Bantam Jeep, while the heaviest was the M5A1 Stuart (the chassis of which was used for the M8 assault gun). The M3 Scout Car was found lacking in armament with its .50 caliber machine gun in comparison to the M8 armored car’s 37mm anti-tank gun. Neither of these vehicles, however, were expected or able to beat proper tanks in a stand-up fight. They were never intended to, being reconnaissance vehicles.

Broadly speaking, mechanized cavalry was lightly armed and armored. While it possessed light tank units, it lacked real anti-armor punch. If it were to encounter German armor, it would likely be more prudent to retreat than fight. However, to do otherwise would likely compromise its purpose.

[aiiaiiiyo]

The first Jeep model, the Bantam Reconnaissance Car (BRC-40), photographed during Army testing, 1941. (Work on a hand-built prototype had begun on July 17, 1940, and was delivered for Army testing on September 23, 1940.) [654 x 531] Check this blog!

[tybarious-ii]

"Taken at Camp Holabird, this view of the Bantam prototype clearly shows the graceful curved fenders. These soon gave way to the characteristic flat fenders. The Reconnaissance Car appears to be heavily burdened by the five men inside it."

source

[fokohow]

JEEP CHEROKEE 2020: 10 THINGS TO KNOW

Slightly redesigned in 2019, the Cherokee remains a popular Jeep. If we notice especially the Wrangler on our roads, without roof, without doors and sometimes even without shoes in the driver’s feet, the Cherokee is fighting hard not to fall off the podium. Add to that a pedigree that isn’t worm-eaten and you have a recipe for success that even 10 things to know don’t fully explain. But you can always try…

1 Once upon a time

When the United States entered World War II, it decreed that it would need a compact all-terrain vehicle. Two companies raise their hands: American Bantam and Willys-Overland.

The army considered the BRC (Bantam Reconnaissance Car) prototype interesting but it did not have enough torque and the military doubted that the company would be able to provide the required quantity. They then passed on the Bantam design to Willys and Ford, asking them to do better. Their prototypes: the Ford GP and the Willys MA. When a Willys engineer finally slipped a powerful “Go Devil” under the hood, the Willys Model MB won the day.

In production, the army put Willys and Ford to work, while Bantam, after a few units, moved on. The result was the Model MB and the Ford GPW (for Government, P stands for the 80″ wheelbase, and W is a salute to Willys’ design).

2 We are still looking for

Where does the word Jeep come from? As the manufacturer himself avoids clarifying the question, no doubt to thicken the mystery, the suppositions rain down. For some, the name refers to Eugene the Jeep, a comic book animal linked to Popeye and Olive Oyl. He was magical, able to “move anywhere and do anything”, just the pretensions of a Jeep. In short, teleportation before its time!

For others, the name derives from the Ford GPW, although the meaning “General Purpose” of GP is disputed.

A third theory: Jeep would be the acronym for “Just Enough Essential Parts”, the vehicle being the assembly of “just enough essential parts”. Make your choice!

3 What kind ?

By the way, should we say a Jeep or a Jeep? On its website www.jeep.ca, Chrysler describes the Jeep Cherokee, no doubt because it goes straight ahead, goes through everything, is not afraid of anything; in short, it’s manly! Just as we don’t say the RAM, which is a van… Moreover, as the word “jeep” has become generic over time, like “fridge” and “kodak”, we often write the jeep in reference to any all-purpose vehicle. And without capital letters as long as the brand is not mentioned. Come to think of it, in parallel with the current news that puts the spotlight on non-gender individuals, the Jeep is perhaps the unisex vehicle of choice…

4 To me! No, to me!

As early as 1943, Willys applied for copyright of the Jeep name but the courts ruled that the original design belonged to Bantam. Never mind, Willys marketed the CJ-2A in 1945, the first “Civilian Jeep” intended for the general public. And then, since Willys was the only post-war company interested in assembling jeeps, it was finally granted the trademark in 1950.

5 The waltz of the owners

The CJ gives the starting signal for an avalanche of by-products: the Jeep Station Wagon (1946), the Jeep Truck (1947), the ancestor of the Gladiator, the Jeepster (1948). In 1953, Kaiser Motors bought Willys, which became Kaiser-Jeep in 1963. American Motors Corporation (AMC) acquired Kaiser’s Jeep division in 1970. Renault begins to invest in AMC in 1979 before Chrysler Corporation buys AMC in 1987, essentially to get its hands on Jeep (Chrysler will drop all other AMC activities).

6 Follow the guide!

At www.jeep.ca to shop for your Cherokee 2020, you will find nine models. Actually, there are six and three packages (North Altitude, Trailhawk Elite and High Altitude). The six versions are Sport, North, Trailhawk, Limited and Overland. Uh, Mr. Columnist, that makes five… The North splits up, as it can be had in 4×4 and 4×2, the only model in the family to be satisfied with front-wheel drive if that’s what you want.

All other versions come standard with all-wheel drive, but it’s not even that simple yet. There are, in fact, three kinds of 4x4s for the Cherokee…

For Sport 4×4, there’s no choice, it inherits the Active Drive I system. The North, Limited and Overland variants come standard with Active Drive I but can be upgraded to the optional Active Drive II. Finally, the Trailhawk comes with Active Drive Lock, a system exclusive to the Trailhawk.

7 Him or him?

Let me guess your next question: what are the differences between these three 4x4s? The Active Drive I is not a constant drive, like Subaru for example. Rather, it allows the rear axle to be uncoupled if electronic sensors judge that road conditions do not require all-wheel drive. You then drive in 4×2 mode to save fuel. The system reverts back to 4×4 whenever necessary, without driver intervention.

Active Drive II adds low speed all-wheel drive, which locks the driveshafts on demand to ensure you’re all-wheel drive. It’s great for getting out of a rut or for towing. Plus, Cherokee’s ground clearance with Active Drive II increases by 1″ (2.5 cm).

Finally, the Active Drive Lock system uses the capabilities of the Drive II and allows the rear differential to lock, which sends equal torque to each of its wheels. For serious off-road enthusiasts.

8 Trio of mills

In addition to the two well-known engines, the 271-hp 3.2L V6, a washed-down version of the 3.6L Pentastar, and the 184-hp 2.4L Tigershark 4-cylinder, FCA recently added a 2.0L, 270-hp, turbocharged 4-cylinder that’s more expensive than the V6 and similar to the one that rumbles under the bonnets of the Wrangler and Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio.

This trio of machines is backed by a 9-speed automatic transmission in place since 2014, which was groundbreaking, but has since come in for criticism because of its frequent hesitations.

Finally, although the base 2.4L can only tow 2000 lbs, the V6 manages with 4500 lbs (2041 kg), 500 lbs more than the turbo.

9 A forerunner

The Cherokee’s career began in 1974 as a 2-door version of the Jeep Wagoneer (1962 to 1991), while ousting the disappointing Jeepster Commando. The 4-door version of the Cherokee was born in 1977. To appeal to a younger customer base than the venerable Wagoneer, marketing gurus coined an expression to define the newcomer: Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). These three words have never left our automotive lexicon!

10 A long C.V.

To underline its 2nd generation (1984), the Cherokee abandons ladder construction in favour of a monocoque body, another first. The public loved this idea, which gave the comfort of a car to a “truck”. Rivals take notes.

The Cherokee’s popularity is such that when the time comes for the 3rd generation (2002 vintage), Chrysler launches the Grand Cherokee while its famous little brother becomes the Liberty in North America (but keeps the Cherokee name elsewhere in the world). Then begins its period of compact SUVs, until the Compass/Patriot duo makes it into the even smaller one in 2007.

A year later, the fourth generation was greeted, still under the Liberty name, while Dodge entered the fray with a twin brother named Nitro.

With the 5th generation (2014) begins the crossover period: the Liberty name is retired, the Cherokee name is revived and the vehicle is slightly enlarged to justify the arrival of the Jeep Renegade.

11 Signature visuelle (boni !)

The famous seven-bar vertical grille that makes a Jeep’s front grille as recognizable as a Rolls-Royce’s was originally new, based on Ford’s original design for its GPW. To better cook a hamburger says the legend…

[robertkstone]

Barrett-Jackson Hidden Gems: 1955 Willys Jeep Pickup

When you hear Barrett-Jackson, what jumps to mind are probably the big dogs. Superbirds, Cobras, Ford GTs, so many Dodge Demons an exorcism is necessary, and whatever the current lump of mega-horsepower iron from Detroit is going to get auctioned off for charity, no doubt going for crazy big money. This year’s star car is the all-new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. My prediction? Seventy billion dollars. And all that stuff is cool, man. It’s cool.

But what I love about Barrett-Jackson are the hidden gems. Especially the understated, possibly forgotten, sometimes even orphaned brands. Like Willys! Everyone forgets that at one point in time Willys was the second largest car company in America. Almost no one forgets that during World War II, Willys, Bantam, and Ford combined to build 653,558 of the ​1⁄4 ton, 4×4, Command Reconnaissance Vehicle aka GP aka G503 aka Jeep.

After the war, Willys trademarked the name Jeep and began building a civilian version of its MB called the CJ. The plan was to sell the Jeep to farmers as an inexpensive alternative to a tractor. Thing was, America survived WW2 in great shape and farmers had money to spend on tractors. In 1946, Willys introduced both the Wagon and the Pickup Truck and would go on to sell over 500,000 of them over the next two decades. Initially, the 4WD, 1-ton Pickup came with the WW2 remnant 63-hp L134 2.2-liter I-4 engine, known to G.I.s as the Go-Devil engine. This gave the Pickup a top speed of 42 mph.

In 1950 the Go-Devil was replaced with the Hurricane engine, netting 9 additional ponies. 1950 also saw the introduction of the V-shaped grille that had five horizontal slats. In 1954 the Super Hurricane engine was introduced, a 3.7-liter inline-six that—depending on who you ask—made either 105 or 115 horsepower. The Willys trucks could now cruise at 60 mph. Two of the horizontal bars were pulled from the grille, in my eyes a huge improvement. All had three-speed manual transmissions (with synchros on second and third!) and a Dana 18 transfer case. The front axle was a Dana 25 and the rear was a Dana 53.

This particular Willys Pickup is desirable for three reasons, two of which are pretty amazing. The first not so amazing reason is that I just love the way it looks. Cute, low-key, and honest without being cheap, sort of like VW Beetles from the early 1950s. The second, much more important reason is that the odometer is sitting at 2,138 miles. Yup. I have no idea how so few miles have accrued over the last 65 years, but here we are. The final reason is that the VIN ends with 00001. Meaning that this Pickup, built in 1954 as a 1955 model is the very first Willys to feature the Super Hurricane, as well as the first 1955 Wagon or Pickup to be built. I’m thinking for a Willys collector, this is pretty close to the holy grail. Pretty cool, no?

Barrett-Jackson ushers in a new year of high-octane auction action during its 48th Annual Scottsdale Auction, featuring some of the world’s most coveted collector vehicles and authentic automobilia collectibles, January 12-20, 2019, at WestWorld of Scottsdale. As in decades past, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions will be the epicenter of Collector Car Auction Week and entertain thousands of automotive enthusiasts with interactive exhibits, entertainment, and activities. Check your local TV listings to see it live on MotorTrend Network and download the app for exclusive, live coverage.

 The post Barrett-Jackson Hidden Gems: 1955 Willys Jeep Pickup appeared first on Motortrend.

from PerformanceJunk WP Feed 3 http://bit.ly/2AMXO8s via IFTTT

[mwsa-member]

The Original Jeeps by Paul Bruno

MWSA Review Pending  

Author's Synopsis The spring and summer of 1940 witnessed the resounding defeats of the French army and British Expeditionary Force at the hands of modernized German troops, designed to take advantage of the latest advances in technology. These included mobile vehicles and tanks used in formation to blast through enemy lines, as well as combined ground and air tactics. The evacuation of the British from Dunkirk and the final defeat of their French allies in June 1940 left only a thin line of English fighter planes between that island nation and total defeat.

Meanwhile, leaders of the United States Army, decimated by demobilization after World War I and budget cuts during the Great Depression, knew they were completely unprepared for this new type of mobile warfare called “blitzkrieg,” a German term meaning “lightning war.” Though experts in the U.S. Army had worked from the end of World War I to develop a combination light weapons carrier and command and reconnaissance vehicle, no perfect model had yet been developed by 1940. In June of that same year, the Army compiled a list of requirements for a revolutionary new truck to replace the mule as the Army’s primary method of moving troops and small payloads.

The Original Jeeps tells the story of the American Bantam Car Company, Willys Overland-Motors, Inc. and the Ford Motor Company, the three firms who dared to meet the challenge to build pilot models of this extraordinary new vehicle. The efforts by these automotive pioneers represent an astounding story of grit, determination and never-say-die courage that inspires, and ended in the creation of a legend: the Jeep.

ISBN/ASIN: 978-0-578-72175-0

Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 241

[alencar07-blog]

JEEP

Its saga began in the late 1930s, when hostilities began to heat up in Western Europe. In the summer of 1940, the US Army had a need for a general purpose vehicle to replace the traditional sidecar bikes, which should be lightweight, manoeuvrable, robust, reliable and extremely agile with the ability to overcome difficult terrain and obstacles, and space to transport men and armaments. The order made for 135 manufacturers stipulated a delivery time of a prototype of this vehicle in only 49 days and a total of 75 days for the delivery of 70 vehicles. The original specifications of the government were the following: vehicle with traction 4x4 in stamped steel of easy manufacture; capacity for three passengers and machine gun (model .30); maximum weight of 600 kilos (then changed to 625 kilos); payload of at least 300 kg; engine power of at least 40 hp; maximum speed of at least 80 km / h; among other features. Only three companies accepted the challenge. Ford, Bantam and Willys-Overland worked hard until each one had produced 1,500 models for field testing. Ultimately, it was the Willys-Overland model, called QUAD (named for its 4x4 system), which gained first-place approval (especially at a low price of just $ 738.74), with a few improvements adapted from the models presented by Ford and Bantam.

Thus, after much controversy, the JEEP began its journey officially on July 23, 1941, when Willys-Overland, located in the city of Toledo, Ohio, was founded in the early 1900s. American army through an initial request of 16,000 vehicles to produce the Willys MB during World War II. The first model had a front grille made of welded steel bars, which looked more like a grille. Therefore, these models became known as "Slatt Grill" and were manufactured 25,808 vehicles, leaving approximately 200 units today. It was not long before the vehicle conquered the troops on the battlefield. Famous correspondent Ernie Pyle said: "I do not think we could continue in the war without JEEP. He does it all. It is like a faithful dog, as strong as a mule, and agile as a kid. It charges twice as much load as it was designed and goes away. "

The vehicle was used by all American military personnel and large numbers were also sent to the Allied Forces of Canada, England, Australia and New Zealand. The JEEP was so versatile that new uses for the vehicle and its various parts were always being found. The vehicle served in all World War II theaters, acting as a machine gun carrier, reconnaissance vehicle, rescue car, battlefront vehicle, ammunition carrier, barbed wire distributor and even taxi. The vehicles carried the wounded safely and carried 37 mm anti-tank guns to the shooting areas. The testimony of this success can be attested by the fact that during the war period, more than 600,000 vehicles were produced. Or by the statement of General George C. Marshall, US Army Chief of Staff during the conflict, who called JEEP "America's greatest contribution to modern warfare." The sturdy and simple JEEP 4x4 became the soldier's best friend - second only to his rifle. One MB was even awarded a medal and sent home.

With the end of the conflict, the company began to develop a version for civil application, that could be used by families and mainly in the aerial of the agriculture, in the arduous works in farms. It was then that in August of 1945 the first civilian version, baptized of CJ2A (abbreviation of Civilian Jeep) was launched in the American market at the price of US $ 1,090. The launch announcements proclaimed: "A power plant on wheels." The civilian version had a rear door, a side-mounted steppe, larger headlights, automatic windshield wiper, external fuel tank cap, more comfortable seats, better dampers and other details not available in its military predecessors. The CJ-2A was marketed by Willys-Overland as "The Versatile Farm Workhorse". He could do the work of two heavy draft horses, operating at a speed of four miles an hour, ten hours a day, without engine overheating.

In 1949, the CJ3A model, similar to the CJ2A, was officially launched, but with a more robust transmission and transfer box, as well as an integral lower-case windshield and double bottom-mounted wiper blades. The owners of Willys-Overland already said at that time "that the JEEP of the future will be constantly evolving and will continue to evolve as new uses are found for it ". This has been proven over the years to this day. In April 1953, Willys-Overland was sold to Kaiser Motors for $ 60 million. Two years later, the new owner introduced the CJ-5 model, which has the JEEP design best known to all and would be produced until the 1980s. Constant improvements in engine, axles, transmissions and seat comfort have made of the CJ5 an ideal vehicle for the general public.