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.

The jeep was the most famous military vehicle of World War II, and its name has become synonymous with a whole class of military and civilian all-terrain vehicles. The jeep originated in a prewar US Army requirement for a simple, inexpensive, and robust vehicle for basic utility chores. Its simple design proved to be adaptable to a host of military tasks including use as a scout vehicle, battlefield ambulance, communications vehicle, and staff car. This book, covering “the savior of World War II”, focuses on the design and development of this versatile vehicle used on nearly every front of World War II.

DIVThe definitive, fully illustrated celebration of an auto manufacturer that paved its own way by going off-road./divDIV /divDIVFew American vehicles, or vehicles made anywhere else in the world for that matter, are as universally iconic as the Jeep. From olive drab WWII military relics to the beloved Wrangler with its rear-mounted spare tire, open-air design, and telltale roll cage, the Jeep is a true classic. In Jeep: The History of America’s Greatest Vehicle, automotive writer Patrick R. Foster chronicles over 70 years of Jeep vehicle design and production. Beginning with the Jeep as a crucial component of the American World War II fleet, Foster expertly recounts the corporate shifts, financial struggles and successes, close calls, and—above all—the enduring machines that have carried Jeep from the early 1940s to its triumphant role as a modern-day embodiment of American perseverance. Three hundred color and black-and-white historical photos complement his expertly written narrative of Jeep’s entire history, reminding us that sometimes, the road less traveled was just waiting for the right truck./div

By taking gardening jobs, catching bats and thieves, diving for bricks in a swimming pool, and inciting the interest of some helpful friends, a young boy makes his daydream of owning a jeep come true.

All the thrills of off-roading started with the Jeep, and they keep on coming. A celebration of off-road Jeeps and the people who drive them, this book features the vehicles, personalities, events, and maneuvers that make up the Jeep universe of competitive and recreational off-roading. The fact-filled, photograph-packed book explores the joys of Jeep ownership, history, restoration, modification, off-road competition, events, clubs, and more. It includes information on popular accessories and performance enhancing modifications, the different generations and styles of Jeeps, off-road events and the professionals who compete in them. With color photographs of some of the most beautiful custom and restored Jeeps from around the country, The Joy of Jeep takes readers to the edge of this soul-stirring activity and shows why Jeep is America's favorite off-road vehicle.

An American classic! This new book is a detailed, highly illustrated look at the legendary World War II era Jeep. Detailed text discusses Jeep planning, development and production, then moves into its World War II variants, specialized equipment, accessories and use by other Allied forces. Nearly 200 high-quality color and war-era photos show the Jeep in its many functions. Up-close, detailed images show the differences between variant types. This book is a concise reference for the Jeep enthusiast, historian and restorer.

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."Project Management in History: The First Jeep" tells the story of the American Bantam Car Company, which dared to meet the challenge to build the prototype in the impossible timeframe of 49 days. The "¼ ton truck 4x4 light project," as the effort was titled by the Army, represents a textbook case of entrepreneurship and project management that holds lessons for today's business leaders and project managers. Contemporary leaders face a similar environment of rapidly changing technology, volatile economic circumstances and turbulent international relations, forces that assailed the U.S. Army throughout the interwar period.

The complete and fully detailed history of the conception, promotion, financing, design, fabrication, delivery, testing, procurement and production of the first jeeps by the American Bantam Car company for the United States Army. The 400 page book contains hundreds of photos which cover the prewar period when this most significant of American automobiles was created and produced. As much an exciting story of compelling characters as it is the first complete history, a reader will recognize many names in both the public and private which went on to fame in WWII. The book can also be seen as a near text book concerning the practical difficulties in industrial design and procurement, involving as it does the difficulty of innovators satisfying a customer with a design. A careful reader will see the dramatic transition from the ?old America? of the post Civil War era into what we like to call the ?modern times? of the post war era, just now ending. One will see the beginning of Eisenhower's ?Military-Industrial Complex'. Primarily however the book is an inspirational story of a small band of men in a tiny company, struggling for survival which accepts a gigantic challenge and succeeds brilliantly, only to be overwhelmed by the giant government and corporate interests of the time and since forgotten.

1993 revised edition, of the 1986 study of the WWII version of the famous jeep. Over 150 rare photos and original line drawings carefully document the provenance, history, manufacture, repair and restoration of Willys MB and Ford GPW military jeeps. You won't want to miss this!!