Episode Six: All Second World War jeeps were not created equal.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you for all the wonderful positive comments, all very much appreciated. For those few who seem a tad confused, and to save your need to post: Yes, we're all aware of Bantam's significant role in the history of the WW2 jeep. No, this particular video does not focus on Bantam but rather on the two jeeps that are physically featured in the video. Enjoy!

[@iamgermane]

For those looking to experience a "Willy's" Jeep try getting a Mahindra "Roxor" two-seater side by side. The Jeep lawsuit was settled and you can get the 2020 design now.

[@erichammond9308]

The grandfather of a friend of mine growing up had the second Willy's off the line post war, looked just like the 1942 (without all of the military accoutrements. You could paint it olive drab and pass it off as a WWII Jeep. That thing could go anywhere, but not quickly 🤣

[@BobBlarneystone]

I grew up 1 mile from the American Austin/ Bantam factory in Butler PA, and my aunt & uncle worked there. The story of the Bantam Reconaissance Car (BRC) is interesting, but Bantam simply did not have the necessary production capacity, and so the DoD leaked the plans to Willys (and there is some indication of some other supply chain skullduggery too). American Austin did receive a contract for utility trailers which they produced during the war. Hmm, maybe you could find a Bantam utility trailer to tow behind your GPW or Willys. Also, as early as 1932-33, American Austin tried to interest the Army in a lightweight recon/squad vehicle, and I found a photo of 4 soldiers in a Bantam pickup, and the caption mentioned that the 4 men could pick the vehicle up off the ground. Unfortunately, the Great Depression scuttled the proposal. Hmm, maybe you could find a Bantam utility trailer to tow behind your GPW or Willys.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

Batman had a Jeep?! Oh, Bantam. Lol.

[@Dylan_Mulvaney_OFFICIAL]

That's a nice silver Porsche you have sir.

[@conifergreen2]

Look, no lifts or huge tires.

[@steamgent4592]

Those are the jeeps for the men who are compensating they do it to pick up trucks as well.

[@xmo552]

No light bars

[@donteague614]

That's refreshing

[@wabbajack4461]

Don't ever think you are going to bore this community with details. More the better!

[@HinrikS]

Tell me about it. Never seen a video of his before, and my interests in Willys is basically "I think they're neat" and " These guys are the foundation of what became the Formula Offroad" but you'd better believe that i'm eating up whatever factoids i can get to be able to tell if a slat grille is all original/authentically restored or not. Formula Offroad. Fun fact: Even today, with the buggies custom built from the ground up, many builders paint Willys grilles on the front as a homage to their military surplus ancestors.

[@PoochAndBoo]

Anyone who is tuning in to watch this video is exactly the kind of person looking to learn more about those types of details.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you. I’m sure we can shoot more videos like this if you’re interested in details.

[@markforsyth2721]

Like a lot of equipment designed and manufactured during war, it is easier to see that the initial design and manufacturer was probably based on the capabilities of and equipment used within the initial manufacturer. The capital cost of buying a "Press" to stamp out the grill for the Willy's jeep would not have been justifiable given the initial low production run. Ford, when taking over production would have already of had a Press capable of making the Grill and would simple of had their "Machine Shop" make a different die to stamp it out. Excellent video by the way

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you. I’m sure you’re right re. the production of the slat grille. Fabrication has always struck me as beautiful art, but, by extension, typically not the fastest solution.

[@lomgshorts3]

The first vehicle I ever owned was a 1952 M-38 A1 (I believe) milsurp Jeep with the rounded windshield. I bought it in the crates, and under my uncle's supervision I put it together and rewired the 24V system to 12V. I ran two 12V batteries in parallel for extra cranking power. I obtained a rag top, then later built a hardtop from sheet steel. I kept the RT-70A radio because it was on the six meter Amateur Radio band and I used it for hilltopping comms. I had that Jeep for twenty years or more before I got bored with it, and in 1988 I stupidly sold it. I wish now that I had never parted with it as they now sell for over $10,000 in unrusted shape with the original glass windshield. I loved that Navy painted grey Jeep, and it took me places that most trucks could never go because trucks are too wide and too long for off road use. If you have a Jeep, keep it up, take care of it, and never sell it because you will regret it later as I have regretted selling mine.

[@piedpiper8355]

There was a guy in Georgia that had some earlier jeeps than these. Even had a Bantam prototype. Nice guy, pretty much gave a tour and let me go through his stock to find what all I needed. Had lots of nos parts. Visited him when I was rebuilding my T84. Ron Fitzgerald was a great help as well. Been out of it a while now, sold my GPW to put a down payment on my house.

[@larrysmith1568]

I had a 48 Willy's. I drove it to school in the 60s. Mine was a chick magnet, or maybe it was me. 😂

[@ThatBobGuy850]

Great story and video, Steve! Some time ago, a rich-but-dumb guy I was working for bought (for way too much money) what was purported to be an "all original" 1941 GPW Jeep. He did ZERO due-diligence. After a while, he wanted to sell it (and make a profit!), and so tasked me to come up with an ad and a price. Doing a little research, I quickly discovered that Ford put their little script "F" on just about every part on the vehicle. Lo and behold, I found precious few "F's." Most of the parts on the Jeep were repros, and some (front bumper) were not even correct. The data plate on the dash was an aftermarket restamp. I had to give my boss the bad news: He'd been had. His "all-original" Jeep was basically...you know...not. We put a cleverly-worded (but not dishonest) ad with pictures up on the internet, and people started contacting us from near and far. Savvy buyers knew the right questions to ask. Nobody bought it. My boss ended up just taking it up to his hunting camp and using it as a runabout. Last I heard, it was still there. Moral: Even rich guys who think they're very smart sometimes get taken by shysters.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, it is a market somewhat fraught with potential perils. Eighty-plus years is a long time and much can happen, be swapped, or replaced, or rebuilt in eight decades. My advice on military jeeps is buy them to keep.

[@Paladin1873]

I had a '54 Willys in high school and drove it all over the woods of north Florida in 1971. A few years ago I bought a '47 CJ2a and now do the same thing on my property in Montana. They must have built quite a few GO-DEVIL engines during WWII because that's what was put in my '47. In case nobody has mentioned it already, Ford gave Willys permission to use their 9-slot stamped grill until the war ended. The grill was so iconic by then that Willys wanted to continue using it postwar but Ford said no, so Willys came up with the 7-slot grill instead.

[@nlpnt]

The stamped grille also had to be redesigned for the larger 7" sealed beam civilian headlights.

[@buckshot4428]

I had a 57 Willys that was somewhat restored. It had 5:38' gears and top speed was about 45. Engine must have been 5,000 or 5,000 rpm. Scary drive as the brakes were very poor as most were.

[@Paladin1873]

@@buckshot4428 My '54 could get up to 55 mph, which is where the speedometer pegged, but it sounded like a Stuka in a steep dive. As for brakes, what are those?

[@buckshot4428]

@@Paladin1873 I grea up and still live ne fl. Willys offered a tremendous array of gear ratios so it's most likely you had something taller than mine. My Willys had taller tires too.

[@Paladin1873]

@@buckshot4428 I don't know what the gear ratio was, but it had the Hurricane engine with the tall hood and a hard top. My Dad had bought it the year prior so Mom could perform the census in the rural part of the county. That old CJ3B beast could go anywhere.

[@rosschirstopher]

Couldn't bore me to death! I could watch and listen to you explain every minor difference between the two

[@jimw1615]

I had a Jeep issued to me while deployed from Okinawa as an USMC Amtrack Platoon Commander in 1974-75. I didn't appreciate how special riding in "my own" Jeep was at the time. But it went everywhere, and it was great to have. Thanks for education!!!

[@mrstevematchett]

You’re very welcome. Thank you for your kind words.

[@newportpa67]

I drive my 42 Willys MB on, almost, a daily basis during the summer. In years past, I would be frequently approached by WW II veterans, who would relate their “Jeep stories .” Sadly, that no loner happens, as all of those heroes have passed on. I am so proud of my 82 year old “veteran.”

[@mikebailey1744]

Very much enjoyed your video. I purchased my first vehicle in 1967, a 42 Willys MB. Through life's twists and turns I was somehow able to keep my beloved Jeep, though life often demanded its sale to keep my domestic life afloat. With todays availability of accurate replacement parts I hope to do a frame up restoration soon. In the mean time I will continue to drive a piece of history that, as I drive, removes all the negatives of life.....

[@mrstevematchett]

Now this is exactly the quality comment that makes producing these videos worthwhile. Thank you for posting this. It’s evident from your words that you truly understand the value of these wonderful machines. Let me be the first to wish you all the very best with your restoration when that time comes.

[@jamess5154]

Never understand why the US military did not keep a small versatile vehicle like the jeep. The Humvee is nice but large and expensive so there are far fewer. My dad was the company clerk and radio operator situated in the middle of Guam at the main comm receiving station for the Pacific theater the last 6 months of the war. The unit had so many jeeps he had one assigned so he could go to the air bases on company business. He was very popular with all the rest of the men since he could get them out of the jungle and to civilization. Also my Uncle was an Army jeep acceptance officer who went to work for Post Office after the war when they were getting surplus jeeps.

[@donaldparlett7708]

My friend has a GPW serial #906 I was borrowing it for the National Military Vehicle show and guys were crawling all over it and they were all in agreement that it WAS serial#906 .

[@RJ-vb7gh]

I think it's important for WW 2 Jeep restorers to understand that during and immediately after the war, Jeeps were pretty much considered to be made from pretty much entirely interchangeable parts by the mechanics who worked on them. My father worked for the American Army in Germany immediately after the war and new parts were often harder to get than broken or damaged Jeeps. So parts were commonly swapped to make one working jeep from multiple damaged jeeps. The same was true of other military vehicles too where possible. Obviously, when new parts were available, they were used, but also with disregard to who made them. Expediency, fit and function were all that mattered. So.... it is very possible that you may find a Jeep that may not be factory correct, but was very much operationally correct. I mean that the way you find it is the way it actually served during and after the war. By restoring the vehicle to factory correct specs and parts, there is a good chance that you might be destroying it's actual provenance. In other words, the grill may have been replaced in Normandy and the gas tank may have been replaced in Hamburg before or shortly after the war ended. Historically the Jeep would have been "most correct" the day it left military service, not the way it left the factory. I'm not saying that finding a Jeep in pristine, as it left the factory condition wouldn't be nice. But I would tend to be suspicious that that Jeep either never actually saw service or has been restored after the war. I'm not suggesting that a mix and match Jeep is better than a factory correct one, but before you write off a Jeep that doesn't look right, consider that it might actually be a veteran that gallantly served it's country in the precise configuration you find it in. Just a thought to ponder.

[@jonathanlewis453]

Jeeps were seen as close to expendable but clearly many have proven their durability. Quite right. To anyone restoring a Jeep I would say research it and know what you have before restoring it. Some early Fords were built on contract purchase Willys frames. There were plants in Europe, systematically cannibalising and reconditioning Jeeps. They are photographed showing stacks of tubs, axles and so on. At this stage of the game, what is becoming genuinely rare and distinctive is an unrestored Jeep. Olive drab, depending on context, is like Levi’s Jeans. Voices are beginning so say that there is merit and social history in the proliferation of civilian adaptations, which are being discarded. If I were to do it again, I would restore the working parts. I would apply adaptations like indicators and stalk controls to make it congenial and safe and I would conserve the rest. It has become very expensive to restore a Jeep over 25 years and in some ways, a market which implies that you must have f stamps on your bolts and every last detail strictly correct, is missing the point of what breathtaking elegant simplicity makes this such a capable little truck.

[@RJ-vb7gh]

@@jonathanlewis453 Quite correct... of all of the Army Jeeps my father serviced immediately after the war that were returned to service... no one every said anything about historical correctness. The instructions were "Fix broken Jeep" and "use parts on hand". Still every Jeep he fixed was in fact historically correct... well just because what we call history was his actual job back then. By fixing and maintaining the vehicles people are now collecting he was making them more rather than less authentic. It would be nice if better records were kept or survived, but that wasn't a thing at the time. The simple fact is that by "bringing a vehicle back to factory specs" you might literally be deleting the vehicle's history or more likely overlaying a new generation of repairs on it. Moreover yes... my friend did various modifications on his Korean war Jeep to make it street legal. It was a fun car to ride in and do parades in. In fact at highway speeds on a warm summer day, it was a blast. And no, we never took it off road... it kept it's original spirit while still having a useful life decades after the military retired it.

[@scopex2749]

My buddy in the RAF had an original Willys. 4 of us used to share a house as we lived off base and we would take turns driving to the base - to share cars. Well tis was midwinter and when it came to HIS turn we had to travel to work his VERY BASIC Jeep with just a canvas tilt NO SIDES and no heater. So 4 airmen in great coats and flying jackets frozen going to work! Great video about the different types - great examples. Im still looking for a genuine LRDG/ SAS Jeep. I know some are around people have modded with twin Vickers and a browning but FEW original desert vehicles.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you. Much appreciated. Good luck with your search. I’m sure there are many jeeps retro fitted to that spec’ but I’m unsure how many genuine LRDG/SAS jeeps made it home, very few if any.

[@garyallsebrook3493]

I've had my (March) '42MB for over 15 years and I learned something new!

[@stephendoing2253]

You're not boring us! Love WW2 jeeps

[@mrstevematchett]

Then we’ll try to shoot more. Thank you.

[@lancenutter1067]

I bought what I thought was a 47 CJ-2A and when I got to working on it, found out it was mostly a 1945 GPW. All the parts had the Ford script on it. Was pretty cool. Had Willy’s engine in it, but was mostly the Ford Army jeep. Got it repaired to useable, had a lot of adventures with it, and sold it in the late 1990’s.

[@mikeks8181]

Those Two Jeeps look better than All the cars in the background!

[@gamersgrubs2952]

I been fortunate to see both the Ford and Willys MB Jeeps at Bantam JeepFest. Legendary vehicles

[@davebaker9128]

How about the fact that the American Bantam car company went bankrupt designing the jeep and our government said thanks, took all the tooling, blueprints, R&D documents, etc. And so this company exists no more, this goes on and on

[@noreenbedford7106]

Until Chrysler bought AMC Bantam finally came home .

[@seanmaccionnaith3458]

Thank you Steve. Excellent report. Nothing like an early Jeep.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you!

[@jimplatts6172]

The split rims support a flat tyre rendering the vechicle easier to controll in a combat situation. The well rims though easier to change the tyre would let the bead ride over the rim and clog up the drive shafts, brake lines ect.

[@billharpster7968]

Growing up it was commonplace to see one of these old jeeps on a farm or at a hunting camp. They rarely had license plates or traveled on the highway. Most were ordered from magazine ads. The saying was buy two because some were missing parts. They came in a wooden crate! 1950-1960’s

[@tsuunited5100]

Nice presentation, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Greatly appreciate your time in preparing and the excellent presentation

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you for your kind words. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.

[@calvinbass1839]

Cool stuff. Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed day.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you! You too!

[@Incorruptus1]

Best cars ever build. And I would choose it before any other. Thank you for creating, producing and uploading. Thank you very much.

[@mrstevematchett]

You’re very kind, thank you. Pleased you enjoyed it.

[@ntvypr4820]

I read or heard somewhere that the German army believed that each soldier being outfitted was issued a jeep!! there were so many of them. I found that amusing since they still used a lot of horses. Great video! My father was in WWII starting 2 mos after Pearl Harbor. He was put into the Army Air Corps and went on to stay through Korea and Vietnam beginning, 24 years in the USAF. I have a pic of him here on my desk posing next to his jeep, sometime in WWII in Europe, and he has just got himself a rabbit for dinner!

[@mrstevematchett]

Goodness! Thank you for this. Amazing. Exactly how online message boards should work. I’d be thrilled to see that photo if you wouldn’t mind sharing? [e-mail]. Only if you’re happy to share, obviously. I won’t post it anywhere. In all events, thanks for writing.

[@TheDisabledMechanic]

I also have a photograph of my grandpa standing next to his jeep and buddy in the European Theater during WWII.

[@Eremon1]

The image of the Jeep will always have a place in my book. Great little machines for their time. In many ways the father of Humvee.

[@cheftomsd]

Split rims were practical. Run over a nail, take rim apart and patch the tube or replace it. As long as the nail was removed from the tire it was a quick fix. I have a hand truck still made this way with split rims and tubes.

[@edgarw5919]

I do not know if the early Willys jeep from 1941 ever come to Australia. The one I have for about 53 years is a Willys MB Jeep from 1944. model. One of the best designed 4-wheel drive vehicles at that time. This design was the beginning of all basic 4-wheel drive vehicles in many Countries.

[@opera93]

Thanks…. Australia sounds great, still In my bucket list……to visit……actually just noticed Passport expired..and we just relocated to HELENA Valley MONTANA ……etc…

[@andrewd7586]

My late father was in the AIF in WW2. He served in the Middle East briefly but the majority in New Guinea fighting the Japanese. About 30 years ago, dad bought what is tagged as a 1941 Ford Willys Jeep. Yes a Ford Willys Jeep from a museum in Queensland. At some point it was converted to RHD. I still have it albeit in storage & it’s immaculate!

[@xj31]

Great video, I learned more about WW2 jeeps than I ever thought I would. So glad I stumbled across this channel

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you. Pleased you enjoyed it.

[@TheByard]

Way back in time my bother supplied all the WWII jeeps, White halftrack and Bedford trucks for the film The Eagle Has Landed. There were 13 jeeps used mostly hired in from owner collectors, who must have been very worried, but anything termed dangerous was carried out with production owned jeeps. Thats how I became involved as my neighbor had one sat at the bottom of his garden covered just with a canvas sheet. Well brother bought it and I transported it to the location in Maple Durham, near Reading UK. I stayed on a few as action driver and the most fun I had was driving the White half=track with a wooden look alike rear body housing the Brenn gun.

[@robertsnyder5149]

Weren't the larger ammeters gauges because some of the Jeeps were designated for radios. My M 38 A-1 jeep was 24 volt originally. The ood tube type radios required more power to run back then.

[@danielstickney2400]

That's possible but the army probably just standardized 50 amp gauges and used them for everything. WWII radio jeeps used dynamotors or PTO powered generators to power their radios.

[@mrstevematchett]

I don’t recall it being radio related but more a desire to improve the reliability of a rather lackluster 6V system.

[@dalegray934]

My uncle was a chapel in WWII. He was issued a Ford Jeep. The machine was not a good one and one day he "accidently" left it parked on a road being shelled. He was then issued a Willys Jeep, which he found to be a better.

[@FayazAhmad-yl6sp]

This jeep is the most beautiful creation of man in this world.

[@JamesGoetzke]

I live in Butler Pennsylvania. Actually the home of the Jeep made by Bantam. Every year we have the Jeep festival here in Butler. You would love it. 1940... but Bantam could not meet production. So it was outsourced. Also the original Bantam Jeep made in Butler Pennsylvania was under powered. They threw us a bone when the war started and we made the Jeep trailers which were important for the war effort. Again every year in Butler Pennsylvania we have the Jeep festival. Totally cool and war time Jeeps and Jeeps of all makes and years.

[@mrstevematchett]

I’m aware of the festival but have not yet visited, work always in the way, but hopefully soon. Thanks!

[@billkircher2310]

I live in Butler and you have it wrong. If the Bantam was underpowered, then why did the Russian government choose to get 1000 Bantam Jeeps? Yes, the Russian officials were at the Bantam facility in 1941. The first Bantam Jeep arrived at the Maryland Army testing facility in September 1940. It was promptly tested and passed all tests and was touring various military facilities when Willy's arrived in November 1940. The Willy's promptly blew 3 engines in their test vehicle, and it took a Bantam engineer named Harold Crist to tell Willy's why they were blowing the cam in their engines. The Ford Jeep arrived later in November and had an awful tractor transmission, not an automobile transmission. By the middle of December,1940 Bantam had delivered 60 more Jeeps. Early in 1941, Bantam's blueprint draftsman, named Carl Probst, worked his Detroit connections and created a deal with Checker Motor Company to build Bantam Jeeps to enhance their ability to produce in greater numbers than 20,000 a year. The Checker Cab Jeeps exist and photo documentation at the Army testing facility in Maryland can be found. Without a proven primary Jeep, the US Government gave a 1500 Jeep order to Willys and Ford in 1941. Bantam also received a 1500 Jeep order at this time. In June 1941, the military decided to have a Jeep testing trial and declared the Willy's a slightly better Jeep due to its engine producing more HP than the Bantam's Continental 40HP engine. The Russian officials were at this testing site and did not agree with this finding and demanded 1000 Bantam Jeeps as part of their lend lease agreement. Bantam Jeeps have been seen in the Candian military. The Japanese also had several Bantam Jeeps as these were sent to the Philippines and were captured after the fall of this island early in 1942.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@billkircher2310 - As well Willy's WWII Jeeps were made here in Toledo, Ohio, USA and Jeeps are still made here: The Wrangler military style and the Gladiator, latest name for a Jeep pickup truck... Liberty/Cherokee Jeep production recently moved out of Toledo... bigger Grand Cherokee made around Detroit... After a long battle, Jeep won patent rights for 7 slot grilles in USA... Jeep name apparently from "GP", Govt. Parts... easy to happen since there was also a cartoon character named Jeep earlier... Army had Ford 'jeeps' in Vietnam, they had IRS in rear with swing axles and rolled over if cornered very hard... With WWII over, 1946 Jeeps were sold with house/barn powering generators, welders, plows, sickle bars mowers, PTOs, trailer hitches, and 36" saw blades options as they sought a new market for Jeeps... Huge Jeep Fest celebration is here in Toledo next week...

[@billkircher2310]

@@BuzzLOLOL WAIT there is more! The American Bantam Company purchased Newgren, a manufacture of agriculture equipment . in July 1948 and began producing various farm equipment to be used behind a Willy's Jeep! American Bantam was used as the name for these different farm equipment that was produced in Butler, Pa. This lasted from 1948 into 1954.

[@billkircher2310]

The Russian officials were free to choose any Jeep. They choose the Bantam and these were built after the Jeep trials of June 1941. The Willys engine had more HP than what the Bantan used but evidence is lacking that Bantam's engine was inadequate. Funny that the largest stoch holder of Willys was the owner of Bantam!

[@jerryw5508]

Very good video Steve. Very interesting topic. I remember when i was about 8 years old a early twenties man worked for the City of Grand Rapids. He had a WWII jeep and was subject of a news article talking about the jeep and putting it together. This was back in 1964. I never seen the jeep in person but there was a photo of it. I have also seen some jeeps and other WWII in the Netherlands. The vehicles were grabbed up or purchased after the war ended. Imagen all the jeeps and trucks that were just left there. I would be interesting to me on some of the things the soldiers did with the jeeps when they were out in the field. I am sure there were some interesting inventions made.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you. I’m sure there were many field modifications made, the photos from June ‘44 and beyond show different solutions, especially in terms of storage.

[@topcat5988]

Thank you for taking the time to do this video! Wonderful content!

[@mrstevematchett]

You’re very welcome. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.

[@captainkirk1745]

I grew up and was very luck to do so, on a WWII surplus jeep. You could buy one, still packed in a crate, a disassembled jeep for $50.00! Guess who's dad wouldn't allow to "waste" my $ on one? It would be worth a small fortune now. Those old keeps were awesome!

[@bobkohl6779]

Restored a 44 GPW years ago. Loved it. Bantam actually made roughly 2,000 Jeeps

[@VWT5Alive]

Jeep = Just Enough Essential Parts 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@jacques-oliviernicolas226]

As far as I know, the original JEEP concept came from BANTAM who made prototypes before the United States entered WWII. But the U.S. military did not believe Bantam had sufficient industrial capacity to support sufficient production. So they relegated Bantam to making trailers and handed over the production of Jeeps to Ford and Willis.

[@michaelbdoherty]

Loved my '51 Willys Jeep. Was the first vehicle I drove to high school. Not a chick magnet lol

[@Dr_Kenneth_Noisewater]

Dude magnet though!!

[@kuntakinte4333]

Army recruiter magnet? 😮

[@theonlymadmac4771]

I loved my German Bundeswehr „Jeep“ ˋ57 DKW Munga F91/4. In contrast to your experience it was very much a girls‘ magnet

[@arcanondrum6543]

@@theonlymadmac4771 Volkswagen updated that and sold it as a "Volkswagen Thing" (and folks, search on that here on KZbin). It DID NOT catch on.

[@dmfraser1444]

The Ford shows that it was tweaked by a company with way more resources than Willys has. The fuel tank and grille have fewer parts. making for faster assembly. Plus it shows that Ford used some parts that were already in profuction for their cars and trucks. Maybe a heavier duty generator for example.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Except Willy's WWII Jeeps were made here in Toledo, Ohio, USA and Jeeps are still made here: The Wrangler military style and the Gladiator, latest name for a Jeep pickup truck... Liberty/Cherokee Jeep production recently moved out of Toledo... bigger Grand Cherokee made around Detroit... After a long battle, Jeep won patent rights for 7 slot grilles in USA... Jeep name apparently from "GP", Govt. Parts... easy to happen since there was also a cartoon character named Jeep earlier... Army had Ford 'jeeps' in Vietnam, they had IRS in rear with swing axles and rolled over if cornered very hard... With WWII over, 1946 Jeeps were sold with house/barn powering generators, welders, plows, sickle bars mowers, PTOs, trailer hitches, and 36" saw blades options as they sought a new market for Jeeps... Huge Jeep Fest celebration is here in Toledo next week...

[@pv4669]

Excellent video. I miss Steve on our U.S. Formula 1 TV coverage which he did for many years with Bob Varsha and David Hobbs.

[@PacoOtis]

Bravo! Excellently presented! My summer driver is a 1946 CJ-2A and I was with my parents when they bought it new. I don't remember it, but was told I was. I have left it absolutely stock and the critters love riding it as much as I do. Best of luck!

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you! Much appreciated.

[@ellisandrews440]

I often thought about buying one of these jeeps. You see I started driving at age 8 one of these army jeeps. My grandad ran an army camp in New Brunswick Canada after the war called Camp Utopia. I was the only child in the camp and had fee reign. On the weekends I drove a jeep which there was lots of. The only time I was caught is when the military police called provost caught me driving into the local town with an army major who at the time was dating my mom. He got into a lot of sh_t and could have been court marshalled if he was not a highly decorated hero. I have no idea what the model it was. This was 1952-53

[@AAE-cg1il]

Jeep is doing some retro stuff with styling as a salute to to the Willies era. This was a great watch……..thanks.

[@mrstevematchett]

You’re very welcome. Pleased you enjoyed it. Happy to do more WW2 jeep videos if the demand is there. Just don’t want to bore folks with stuff that I might enjoy but others don’t.

[@gravelydon7072]

@@mrstevematchett Its there. Dad courted mom in a 1946 Jeep. It had not only a PTO but also a hydraulic 3 point hitch. Which I still have. Court mom when home from the USS Missouri and used to mow on the farm when not by my grandfather. And yes, it had a heater that worked. Need that in Ohio in the winter.

[@benjaminrush4443]

Back in the late 1970's the US Government still had Jeeps stockpiled. Don't know years of production. Friend of mine told me you could purchase Jeeps for $100.00 each in their Shipping Crate. You had to purchase a minimum of 100 crated Jeeps - I think. Don't know about shipping costs. But we thought of buying and assembling them as a business. Thought that $1,500.00 at least could net us $150,000.00 - $10,000.00 & other expenses: Shipping/Transportation, Storage & Land, and Assembly Costs. At the time there were old, closed brick warehouses with adjacent rail service. So, we just 'Cracked-open' a couple of beers and pondered a potential business opportunity within Boston, MA. USA. Thanks for the Podcast.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you!

[@atlanticrf]

This is all incorrect.

[@davebaker9128]

Also, the Willys has round tubular crossmember, Ford used square tubes crossmembers

[@Dr_Kenneth_Noisewater]

I love these old jeeps so much. This was a great video for a casual Jeep lover.

[@mrstevematchett]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@studiovladosproduction5936]

Great video from you, thanks! It was helpful to recognise the differences

[@mrstevematchett]

You’re very welcome. Thank you for watching. I’m pleased it proved helpful.

[@andrewhammond1949]

Great presentation. I’ve restored a ‘44GPW and use it when weather permits. (I’m old and not as agile as I was)

[@mrstevematchett]

I’m with you all the way. We must all do what we can while we can.

[@TheExactlyatmidnight]

Wow one of the most iconic things about jeep, even to this day was started by Ford.

[@johngetty3839]

Great video. I've wanted to own a WWII version for a long time, but at my age that won't be happening. I at least got a chance to drive one in a parade once.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thanks! Very much appreciated. If you live in the Charlotte NC area we could go for a drive in one?

[@johngetty3839]

I appreciate the offer!

[@WardenWolf]

Not sure why this popped up in my feed, but that's super cool. The Ford version definitely looks superior overall, but the old Willys is cool, too.

[@mrstevematchett]

I like both but the GPW remains my fave.

[@galesams4205]

Jeeps were used in vietnam with mounted M-2 browning 50 cal Heavy MG mounted on a pipe with in back seat. These were used to trans port conveys inland alone with KING Cobra gun trucks with mounted quad 50's.4inf div. 1 calvery.

[@donteague614]

Neat tidbit of history. One may never had known that the classic Jeep grill is actually a Ford design. Imagine that. One might think Jeep lovers are in denial and might be cringing right now lol.

[@charliebrown5611]

My dad said everyone wanted the Willy's not the Ford's.

[@erikkunkle9574]

We have a 41 Willy at the Idaho Military Museum. It's fully restored and runs great.

[@mrstevematchett]

Have you driven it, or been driven in it?

[@jamesgoodman171]

AS ex R.E.M.E.plant and vehicle electrician on national service in Hong Kong 1955/56 worked on quite a few of them. Great fun to drive.

[@roberthuron9160]

My dad bought a CJ-3 to commute to the airport[Idlewild],and I think that was in the mid 50's,the differental was that the fenders were straight front,unlike the 60's onward version with the curvature! Willy's then was still making Jeeps,and just when Ford ceased making Jeeps,I don't know,but the grill was the Ford stamped one!! Thank you for the information,and since I was a war baby,12/44,I missed a lot of the intriguing sidebars! Thank you 😇 😊!

[@mrstevematchett]

You’re very welcome, thank you for watching.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Plus Willy's WWII Jeeps were made here in Toledo, Ohio, USA and Jeeps are still made here: The Wrangler military style and the Gladiator, latest name for a Jeep pickup truck... Liberty/Cherokee Jeep production recently moved out of Toledo... bigger Grand Cherokee made around Detroit... After a long battle, Jeep won patent rights for 7 slot grilles in USA... Jeep name apparently from "GP", Govt. Parts... easy to happen since there was also a cartoon character named Jeep earlier... Army had Ford 'jeeps' in Vietnam, they had IRS in rear with swing axles and rolled over if cornered very hard... With WWII over, 1946 Jeeps were sold with house/barn powering generators, welders, plows, sickle bars mowers, PTOs, trailer hitches, and 36" saw blades options as they sought a new market for Jeeps... Huge Jeep Fest celebration is here in Toledo next week...

[@upscaleshack]

Absolutely thrilled to learn that Steve is a fellow Jeep nerd. Watched Steve doing F1 broadcasts for years and really valued his technical knowledge and insider info and banter with David Hobbs. Long way from the current crop of F1 presenters.

[@philgiglio7922]

I still miss the insight Hobbs brought during races

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you, you’re very kind.

[@davidhayes4814]

Reminds me of those picture/puzzles …. “There are 10 differences between the two pictures, can you find them?” Quite fun.

[@russbilzing5348]

A buddy of mine had one of the Ford prototypes of the Jeep. It had the 4 cylinder overhead cam all aluminum engines in it. I told him I would give him $500 for it if he ever decided to get rid of it. When his family moved, his stepdad sold it and a lowered and frenched '49 Ford for $50 each to a junkyard. It like to have broke my heart.

[@mrstevematchett]

It lives on in memory.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Need a '51 Ford?

[@williampankratz600]

Some wartime jeeps were sold to the public for like $200 and I have seen a couple rusted out hulks on farms

[@eddiereyna2998]

Well since I served in the Army, our Jeep’s weren’t WWII models so their upgrades were a bit different. The Jeep is a rugged automobile and it is able to go places that the Hummers can’t . When I can , I’ll see about buying an ole school military Jeep and and go trekking across America and later return to Germany for some cross mountain trips as we used to do when I was stationed there several times. Great informative video Señor. PROBST!

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you! Going across America in a WW2 jeep sounds like a terrific adventure! Please send photos when it finally happens.

[@FLStelth]

Great video! Very informative and worded concisely yet precisely.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you!

[@robertsnyder5149]

I had a 1943 Ford Jeep. I had a chance to buy a 1941 "Overland Jeep" with said grille. The guy wanted $800.00 for it andit ran good. My mistake for not buying it. I saw quite a few differences in that Jeep.

[@giantgeoff]

My "Off the top of my head" answer was How long does it take to create sheet metal stamping dies. My ' 59 SW and 64 CJ as well as neighbor's 51 SW all had stamped grills. All from a time when the vehicles were brought to production along an industrial path. Willys was taking over production of a hand built design with a a severe time crunch because the enemy is very rude about not postponing the war. Willys built cars so you used any parts you have on hand like gauges, and then whatever you could get from whatever your suppliers could give you. Willys was a small independent producer, and Ford was #2 and could and did sometimes produce not only every part even from the actual raw materials. It was no problem for Ford to add a provision for a glove box or parking lights to the stamping die while they are being machined.

[@noreenbedford7106]

It takes hundreds of hours to make a die the first piece is worth thousands of dollars the last piece cost nothing this is what you call mass production I know this because I worked in a stamping plant.

[@DA-yf5dn]

Brilliant seeing you here Steve. It's been a few years since watching you with F1 and I wondered what you had your hand on now. I think "Motorments with Matchett" might be a good title.

[@mrstevematchett]

You’re very kind, thank you, seriously, thank you. It’s refreshing to read positive comments on any form of social media.

[@gorgonbazil2652]

Didn't find this boring at all! Great Vid...

[@mrstevematchett]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SteffiReitsch]

The stamped grille Ford came up with looks a lot better than Willy's slat grille, in my opinion. Just saying.

[@dampierstucco5778]

I agree however I wonder if the handmade ones were ever a lifesaver of some type bc of being stronger or the design?

[@SteffiReitsch]

@@dampierstucco5778 I seriously doubt it.

[@mrstevematchett]

It’s an iconic shape, that’s for sure.

[@tomppeli.]

Because I'm not very much in to the Willys, I think the early, slat-grilled Willys isn't as attractive as the ones with rounded, stamped grilles. But I must say, owning either type would be such a joy, I'd think. They don't make 'em like they used to, haha!

[@mrstevematchett]

No, they don’t! Thanks for watching with us!

[@bbb462cid]

Would you believe that my choice to get back into old cars was down to a WWII Jeep, or a C2 Corvette?

[@toldyouso5588]

I watched a YT video of a German team of 6 assemble that jeep in 3 minutes. That for me is the genius of it's design.

[@DD704Borie]

"What could go wrong with THAT in wartime?"

[@paulreaney-sygrove6751]

Brilliant I love jeep's thank you for making it so easy to spot the differences Bear Hull

[@wihamaki]

There's also Jeeps out there that were cobbled back together in WWII. Saw an example and the owner preferred to leave it 'incorrect'.

[@markmccabe934]

Thanks Steve for sharing this information! Forty years ago I've owned both versions as well and my Slat Grill was converted to the Ford grill from an earlier restoration but all the other trademark pieces remained.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you!

[@cowboywoodard2569]

After WW11..both my grandfather and my Father served in the war,on our Ranch here in Central Texas we had Jeeps (taught how to drive at the age of 6) ,Power Wagons and 3 command cars the hired hands used everyday for fencing, windmill repairs and the such.I saying as much they were tough as hell and boy i had huge biceps when steering the power wagons when backing up at a slow speed .now over the years most are gone thru reckless drunk deer hunters destroyed on of oower,wagons all are gobe and sold for parts,what,a shame my child hood memories are in tact the hell and toughness i witness howxthey get up bluffs and canyons,river crossings etc that today's junk could not do 😢

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Yessir, Willy's WWII Jeeps were made here in Toledo, Ohio, USA and Jeeps are still made here: The Wrangler military style and the Gladiator, latest name for a Jeep pickup truck... Liberty/Cherokee Jeep production recently moved out of Toledo... bigger Grand Cherokee made around Detroit... After a long battle, Jeep won patent rights for 7 slot grilles in USA... Jeep name apparently from "GP", Govt. Parts... easy to happen since there was also a cartoon character named Jeep earlier... Army had Ford 'jeeps' in Vietnam, they had IRS in rear with swing axles and rolled over if cornered very hard... With WWII over, 1946 Jeeps were sold with house/barn powering generators, welders, plows, sickle bars mowers, PTOs, trailer hitches, and 36" saw blades options as they sought a new market for Jeeps... Huge Jeep Fest celebration is here in Toledo next week...

[@Vile-Flesh]

Great video. I learned a few things about these nifty vehicles watching this.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you! Pleased you enjoyed it.

[@ggee7391]

Legend has it that a number of flat packed jeeps [and other surplus] were dumped in pit at RAF Sculthorpe in Norfolk England. The airfield is still under MOD ownership so maybe on day they could be recovered.

[@mrstevematchett]

I’ve been to Norfolk, surely nothing can survive eighty Norfolk winters?

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

When my dad was in the US Army during the early 1990s he was part of a crew that helped prep vehicles, which he described as looking like a cross between a Jeep and an HMWV for shipping south of the border. I wish I could see pictures of these things and know their specs.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

@@whybother1887 Thanks. I'll look into that and save some pictures so I can show the old man, next time I see him. I'll ask if they look familiar.

[@MrAdrianojujuba]

very nice buddy,I have a 1961 cj5 willys Jeep ,hugs from Brazil.

[@jb6027]

I ENJOYED THIS VIDEO VERY MUCH. THANK YOU!

[@mrstevematchett]

You’re very welcome, I’m pleased you enjoyed it.

[@Hogger280]

I noticed that the Willys ID plates were brass and installed with screws while the Ford plates are steel and riveted on!

[@sinistercharger]

Early Ford were Brass too

[@jonathanlewis453]

@@sinistercharger I suggest steel by 8/5/42. More than one production plant of course.

[@jonathanlewis453]

8th May 1942

[@safetymikeengland]

cool. First time I've ever heard split rim described as an advantage.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you for watching, pleased you enjoyed it.

[@edl617]

Low power, just fast enough. Dad said on Guam (1944) they head to the beach with almost a dozen guys in a jeep.

[@thinman8621]

WWII Jeeps and Harleys still in the crate have been "found" in warehouses for decades. Anybody ever known someone who actually bought one?

[@DIOSpeedDemon]

Great Video. Just a question: Which jeep had the better initial build quality? Just wondering, thank you. RH DSD

[@mrstevematchett]

They both seem remarkably similar in terms of build quality. If forced to pick, I’d say perhaps the GPW has the edge but there really is very little in it.

[@jameseastwood4984]

Super interesting that it was Ford that actually invented the Jeep grill style.

[@mrstevematchett]

I’m pleased you enjoyed it. The response has been so positive that I’m sure we’ll make more videos on the jeeps. I find ‘em fascinating.

[@nmmlo]

Thank you for sharing this very interesting video. I was amazed about the differences between the original Willis product and the Ford product made under license. One difference I had noted though years ago was the rims with and without nuts and wondered why was that. Now I know the explanation.

[@mrstevematchett]

You’re welcome! Glad you found it interesting.

[@richardoliver1468]

When did the ignition key get changed out to the switch ignition design??????? When I was in the Army from 72 to 92, none of our vehicles including the jeep had keys ignitions. It is very difficult to get a surplus military jeep as they cut the jeeps in half. That was done many years ago do to civilians flipping them. At one point in time, prior to completely switching over to the HUMMV, the Army installed roll bars on their jeeps.

[@mrstevematchett]

If memory serves, the keyless ignition switch was introduced in ‘43.

[@pcka12]

My uncle's driver killed himself that way in Germany post war

[@BuzzLOLOL]

More on that: Willy's WWII Jeeps were made here in Toledo, Ohio, USA and Jeeps are still made here: The Wrangler military style and the Gladiator, latest name for a Jeep pickup truck... Liberty/Cherokee Jeep production recently moved out of Toledo... bigger Grand Cherokee made around Detroit... After a long battle, Jeep won patent rights for 7 slot grilles in USA... Jeep name apparently from "GP", Govt. Parts... easy to happen since there was also a cartoon character named Jeep earlier... Army had Ford 'jeeps' in Vietnam, they had IRS in rear with swing axles and rolled over if cornered very hard... they weren't suitable for civilian use at speeds over 20 MPH... they had warning decals on them... military convoys back then were restricted to 20 MPH max... With WWII over, 1946 Jeeps were sold with house/barn powering generators, welders, plows, sickle bars mowers, PTOs, trailer hitches, and 36" saw blades options as they sought a new market for Jeeps... Huge Jeep Fest celebration is here in Toledo next week...

[@richardsolberg4047]

Later versions had rear swing axles and coil springs , the axle could fold under . A length of chain was welded between axle and frame as a fix.. Same problem as the Corvair .

[@memonk11]

I knew an old WWII vet who said the Willy we hell to start in the cold and the Fords would start right up.

[@bobjohnston8316]

At least some of the Ford Jeeps used the engine that Ford developed for the 9N farm tractor. It was adapted for the Jeep with minor changes such as adding a fuel pump. The tractor was gravity feed. I own a 1940 Ford type 9N tractor and also a 1947 9N. Yes, if you pull the choke out they start right up all winter long! I think that eventually Ford was pressured into installing the Willys designed Go Devil or Red Devil or whatever it was called engine for standardization’s sake. I’m told that the Ford engine was only in 1/4 of the WW2 Jeeps. And BTW, the Ford developed engine was half of a flathead V8. The pistons and valves and so on are interchangeable!

[@memonk11]

@@bobjohnston8316 Thanks for the info! I could never find an explanation before.

[@jeffbajczyk4756]

Nice video! Another minor difference between the GPW and the MB is that the doorway eyebolts (where the door safety strap attaches at the dashboard) are vertical on the MB and horizontal on the GPW. Your GPW has the one I could see in the video mounted vertically.

[@mrstevematchett]

Thank you for your kindness. Good eye! Yes, not sure how that happened. I’ll correct it. Actually, in Episode 7 (shot months before episode 6) they are mounted horizontally… Curiouser and curiouser, said Alice!

[@crusherbmx]

A friend of mine built an epic rock crawler out of a 48 Willys...pretty much just used the body...he used the original grill for a while but later on he made his own grill out of tubing, I thought it ruined the look, but it actually looks a lot like this 41 Willys.