Comparing Bantam and Willys Jeeps

Come along for the ride as master Jeep restorer, Duncan Rolls with his 1941 Bantam Reconnaissance Car Series 1 and Jeep Collector, Peter Ferris, with his 1944 Willys MB, compare their vehicles, to include a brief drag race!

[@flaircraft]

The most exciting drag race I was ever in was between two incredibly slow cars. My Mercedes 240D vs. my friend's diesel Ford Escort. His girlfriend acted as flag girl. We lined up. She got between our cars and raised the flag... it dropped. I jumped off the line like a scalded turtle (my 240D was an automatic, so I power-braked in Low before the start.) His Escort was a manual trans so couldn't match my launch. But he had the same horsepower and weighed about 700 pounds less. After several seconds he caught up to me, and then started pulling away with authority. I was giving the Benz all she was worth vainly trying to keep up. My heart was racing and palms sweating and since we'd been at it for so long I knew we were at risk of getting major speeding tickets if we got caught. I checked my speedometer and we were going... 40mph. Hey, the longer the race takes, the more time you get to enjoy it.

[@alejmonzon]

Great cars, race, story!

[@justine_rolf1997]

Those jeeps were also the ancestors of the Jeepneys here in the Philippines. The production of the jeepneys was pioneered by Sarao Motors (founded by late Leonardo Sarao)

[@michaelbenardo5695]

But today's Jeepneys are purpose-built transit vehicles built by Mitsubishi, and aside from Jeep-like frontal styling, have absolutely nothing in common with a Jeep.

[@Naltddesha]

Nah

[@maximilienrobespierre7927]

Also fun fact: the Soviet jeep clone, the GAZ-67, was created based on a photo of a Bamtam Jeep that the People's Commisar of Medium Machinery showed to the head designer of GAZ and said "I want that thing, you have a month and a half"

[@user-cx1jm9ij6f]

Это не факт : - Бантамы поставлялись в Россию по ленд- лизу .

[@ryansharpe3564]

Great video!

[@conceptalfa]

Great, thanks!!!👍👍👍

[@shanehumphries2392]

to much fun

[@unionboliviana9969]

Vamos bantam

[@TractorDog]

Jumps like a Willys in four wheel drive....

[@tomford5416]

hillclimb challenge ?!

[@user-cx1jm9ij6f]

Бантам - отец Джипа.

[@edsonkidwell2522]

Sure they copied bantam it was greenest first

[@rvn6815]

Jeep copied bantem 40

[@slygun451]

There is NO SUCH THING as a "willys jeep" there are Bantam Jeeps produced by Willys & Ford. I can't repaint the Mona Lisa and tell people I created it...NEITHER CAN willys...Ford was so JEALOUS that they stamped their logo on every part to distinguish "theirs" from BANTAMS. If Bantam had the manufacturing capabilities they would never have needed either of the other companies. KARL PROBST was a GENIUS & everyone else was a thief.

[@g.n.b.3351]

You are wrong about why Ford stamped parts with the letter F. Ford did that to ensure they would not be charged for repairs to the Willys versions under the warranty period. That was the only reason.

[@slygun451]

@@g.n.b.3351 They we’re never sold to the public and they were under MILITARY contract so they had spare parts and MILITARY MOTOR POOLS but nice try.

[@nealesmith1873]

The “modern” high fenders were on the Bantam! Amazing!