Although forever associated with Willys-Overland, the original Jeep military vehicle was developed by American Bantam, formerly American Austin. Designed to meet the US Army’s requirement for a rugged, go-anywhere, four-wheel-drive vehicle capable of surviving on the barest minimum of unskilled maintenance, Bantam’s prototype Jeep was up and running by 1940. The Pentagon, though, doubted the firm’s ability to meet the military’s post-Pearl Harbour demands, so the major contracts went to Willys and the Ford Motor Company. Produced by the million, the ubiquitous Jeep saw service in every theatre of the Second World War and continued in military service with armies worldwide for several decades thereafter. Capitalising on its success, Willys-Overland temporarily abandoned conventional passenger car production, concentrating instead on marketing ‘civilianised’ versions of the Jeep in the form of the Station Wagon, Station Sedan and Jeepster phaeton. A 134.2ci (2.2-litre) four-cylinder sidevalve engine was the only power unit at first, and then for 1948 Willys introduced a 148.5ci (2.4-litre) six together with the Jeepster phaeton, an open touring car that had been designed during WW2. Four-wheel drive had been a feature of the original military Jeep, which was still in production, and this form of transmission first became available on Willys-Overland’s civilian range midway through 1949. With the reintroduction of a conventional passenger car line-up for 1952 – the ‘Aero’ Willys – the Jeepster was phased out, though the ever-popular Station Wagon continued until the end of Willys passenger car production in 1955. Arguably one of the very first examples of the ‘Sport Utility Vehicle’, this Willys Station Wagon has the six-cylinder engine and four-wheel drive. Completely restored, the car comes complete with shovel and axe, and will be delivered with French Carte Grise. Probablement l'un des tout premiers exemples de "Sport Utility Vehicle" (SUV), cette Willys Station Wagon est équipée du six cylindres et de quatre roues motrices. Complètement restaurée, cette voiture est complète avec pelle et hache, et sera livrée avec sa carte grise française.
Although forever associated with Willys-Overland, the original Jeep military vehicle was developed by American Bantam, formerly American Austin. Designed to meet the US Army’s requirement for a rugged, go-anywhere, four-wheel-drive vehicle capable of surviving on the barest minimum of unskilled maintenance, Bantam’s prototype Jeep was up and running by 1940. The Pentagon, though, doubted the firm’s ability to meet the military’s post-Pearl Harbour demands, so the major contracts went to Willys and the Ford Motor Company. Produced by the million, the ubiquitous Jeep saw service in every theatre of the Second World War and continued in military service with armies worldwide for several decades thereafter. Capitalising on its success, Willys-Overland temporarily abandoned conventional passenger car production, concentrating instead on marketing ‘civilianised’ versions of the Jeep in the form of the Station Wagon, Station Sedan and Jeepster phaeton. A 134.2ci (2.2-litre) four-cylinder sidevalve engine was the only power unit at first, and then for 1948 Willys introduced a 148.5ci (2.4-litre) six together with the Jeepster phaeton, an open touring car that had been designed during WW2. Four-wheel drive had been a feature of the original military Jeep, which was still in production, and this form of transmission first became available on Willys-Overland’s civilian range midway through 1949. With the reintroduction of a conventional passenger car line-up for 1952 – the ‘Aero’ Willys – the Jeepster was phased out, though the ever-popular Station Wagon continued until the end of Willys passenger car production in 1955. Arguably one of the very first examples of the ‘Sport Utility Vehicle’, this Willys Station Wagon has the six-cylinder engine and four-wheel drive. Completely restored, the car comes complete with shovel and axe, and will be delivered with French Carte Grise. Probablement l'un des tout premiers exemples de "Sport Utility Vehicle" (SUV), cette Willys Station Wagon est équipée du six cylindres et de quatre roues motrices. Complètement restaurée, cette voiture est complète avec pelle et hache, et sera livrée avec sa carte grise française.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
