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/

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Smithsonian Museum Bantam Postcard

November 8, 2012 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Museums, Postcards This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: This post card was for sale on eBay in 2012.

Even the Smithsonian didn’t get the ‘original jeep’ correct as evidenced by the postcard below.  To their credit, this Bantam BRC-60 just might be the next best thing.  I compare all three Bantams here.

For comparision, here’s another good shot of a BRC-60:

And this is the original Bantam BRC — Jeep #1.  The round fenders and scalloped side are two of the biggest differences:

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The Four Wheel Steer Bantam in Pop Mechanics

October 19, 2012 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Magazine • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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I spotted this brief note about the four-wheel-steer Bantam BRC-40 on page 167 of the May 1946 issue of Popular Mechanics.  Why it appeared five years after it was built seems a little strange.  I can’t imagine the army keeping this model top secret for any reason.  Maybe they needed some filler for the issue?

Here is a link to the Google page that shows the whole article

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Ford GP Grille Poughkeepsie, NY eBay

August 30, 2012 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Here’s a rare grille.

“From a recent find of parts hidden away many years, This is a used and abused original front grille from a Ford GP as pictured. It’s used, it’s been repainted many times. His minor dings, see photos, will clean up for a beautiful front grille.”

View all the information on eBay

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Part II of the Don Prine Story

August 27, 2012 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Magazine This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Part II of the Don Prine ‘Old Man’ Story can be read in the September issue of JP Magazine. It has also been published online at this address:  http://www.jpmagazine.com/featuredvehicles/154_1209_the_old_man_and_the_jeep_part_2/

Here’s a picture Marty took during the interview.  Don Prine is on the left, Christain Hazel in the middle, and Herm Tilford (Herm the Overdrive Guy) on the right.

View more pictures of the meeting here:  http://www.pnw4wda.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2630

You can view Part 1 of the Don Prine Story at JP Magazine

 

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