Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs Research Archives

Prior to the finalization of the MB Jeep, The American Bantam, Ford, and Willys all created pilot and prototype jeeps in an attempt to win Army contracts. Bantam built the very first jeep, the Bantam BRC. They also built the BRC-60 and BRC-40. Ford built the Pygmy, the Budd, and the GP. Willys built the Willys Quad and the Willys MA. Checker appears to have built one based on Bantam parts. Finally, are rumors of a jeep by York-Hoover, but I’ve never nailed down actual pictures. See this post: http://www.ewillys.com/2010/03/14/york-hoover-all-terrain-prototype/

To Top

1941 Photo of Mule Pulling Bantam BRC-60 on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Blake points out this is a Mule and not a horse.

Steve forwarded this interesting photo of a mule pulling a Bantam BRC-60 across a river.

“1941 Press Photo Horese-Drawn Jeep across water at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. This is an original vintage press photo. Horse-drawn Jeep at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.Photo measures 7.75 x 5.75 inches. Photo is dated 03-24-1941.”

View all the information on eBay

1941-03-24-brc-60-horse-pulling-1

1941-03-24-brc-60-horse-pulling-2

[fb_button]
 
To Top

1941 Photo of Ford GP in Leesville, LA on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

A good shot of a Ford GP.

“1941- Ford GP jeep leads motorcycle troops of the 66th Regiment of the 2nd Armored Division over a road constructed beside a bridge that was “destroyed” by Red forces during maneuvers north of Leesville.”

View all the information on eBay

1941-09-10-leesville-manuevers1

1941-09-10-leesville-manuevers2

[fb_button]
 
To Top

1942 Photo of Bantam BRC-40 on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Another version of this sand dune photo is available on eBay. Another was sold in 2014 (see end of post).

“1942 Press Photo West Point Military Academy Jeep Jockeys in Army Maneuvers. This is an original press photo. Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 07-31-1942.”

View all the information on eBay

1942-07-31-bantambrc40-jeep-jockeys1 1942-07-31-bantambrc40-jeep-jockeys2

Here’s a similar press photo that was sold in 2014.

Continue reading

[fb_button]
 
To Top

1940 Bantam BRC Photo eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is a great press release photo taken a little more than a week after the Bantam arrived at Holabird for testing. Thanks to Steve for finding it.

One thing I noticed about the photo. See how the dirt from behind the front fender was thrown onto the side of the jeep. I’m wondering if the thing we’ve called the step on the sides was actually not a step at all, but specifically designed as a mud flat to stop that from happening. I just never thought about it in those terms before (maybe I’m just behind the curve on that??).

“1940- Bantam prototype #1 during testing at Camp Holabird Quartermaster Depot.”

View all the information on eBay

1940-10-03-bantam-brc1-holabird1 1940-10-03-bantam-brc1-holabird2

 

[fb_button]
 
To Top

WANTED: Ford GP Fuel Pump

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Josh had a shipping company destroy a Ford GP fuel pump, so he’s looking for another. He will pay up to $1,000 for AN ORIGINAL or NOS pump. Josh also deals in prototype parts, so if you have any you’d like to sell, contact him. He can be reached at joshua.roach@live.com.

ford-gp-fuelpump

[fb_button]
 
To Top

Set of 1941 Ford GP Manuals on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Books This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is pretty neat set of books. The price is already at $810 with 8 days to go!

“This auction lot consists of one original very, very scarce book called SERVICE SCHOOL FOR U.S. ARMY INSTRUCTORS ON Ford U.S. ARMY VEHICLES 1941 as published by Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan for instruction schools conducted at the Ford Rouge Plant in Detroit and Ford Traveling Schools conducted on American Army Bases.”

View all the information on eBay

1941-gp-manuals2

1941-gp-manuals

[fb_button]