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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6 WWII Jeep Collection Contone, Switzerland eBay

May 29, 2011 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, GPW (Ford MB), MB • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE:  The price reached $75,000, but did not reach the reserve.

“The collection is in Europe, Switzerland; i sell only the complete collection!!!!”

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180673847711+&viewitem=&clk_rvr_id=236136795109

–Jeep Ford GP 1941 , serial nr.16585, Delivery date: 11.18.41 to restore with 2 Engines

–Jeep Willys MA 1941, Replica Body from Czech Republic on MB Frame, complete with Willys Americar Engine

–Ford GPW,original Script Body, Date of delivery: 4.17.42, running conditions with British Airborne Kit

–Willys MB, original Script Body, Date of delivery: 6.3.42, new conditions, With original NOS T1 Air compressor and Defroster kit

 

–Ford GPW,Date of delivery, March 43,Running conditions,With original complete Braden Winch and Superflex Engine Heater

 

–Willys MB, Date of delivery, 1945, last series, With original Tow Bar and Deep Water Fording Kit, running conditions.

 

 

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The Bantam BRC-40 T2 & T2E1

October 17, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: These images come from the War Wheels website. There’s a longer discussion no why changes were made to the gun placement.

Here’s what’s likely a 1941 image from warwheels.net of the Bantam BRC-40 T2 with the 37MM Gun on it mounted in the middle of the vehicle:

There were some problems with the T2, so the gun was moved to the back for version 1 of T2E1.

The army preferred this location, because a 2nd version of the T2E1 was developed that lacked a standard body (many more photos here):

Finally, there was also reportedly an anti-tank Willys MB version called the T21 with a75mm mounted in the rear, but I haven’t been able to verify it.

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1944: Mayor Heine buys the first Jeep for Civilians

September 2, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old News Articles, Women & Jeeps This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE 3: Cblynch posted an update to this information on g503.com site.  He notes that Randy Withrow in Alabama owns the below GP and also owns all the original photos.  Apparently, the woman driving the GP died a few years ago. (Thanks Simon).  Also, you can see an additional photo from Bergs yard in this thread. Finally, to GP1942 from G503, I’m glad you are enjoying the content, but please add a link saying you found the info at ewillys when copying and pasting it into other sites.

UPDATE 2: After further review, and based on Lindsay’s comments, I would say that the first BRC is a BRC-40.  The TWO jeeps in front of that are BRC-60s (made after the original BRC prototypes and before the BRC-40).


UPDATE:  A reader named Lindsay was kind enough to provide an update to this story:

Lindsay writes, “An interesting note about the article with the mayor that purchased the GP in 1944. That vehicle was tracked down by Ken Hake years ago and restored several years later. The 3 smaller photo’s at the bottom bottom right is a photo of Bergs Jeep parts in Chicago note the first one is a Bantam BRC 40 the one in the front of that is a very early “round nose” BRC of which only one still exists and belongs to the Smithsonian. This proves that round nose BRC’s were released and sold to the public. I sure would like to find one of those in a barn.”

The military started selling jeeps to civilians in 1944.  By all accounts, Mayor Heine, of Lucas Kansas, and his family were the very first purchasers of a Military jeep for civilian use.  Here is a Life Magazine Article about the Heines and the related images from the January 4, 1944, issue of Life Magazine (page 24 & 27).  I bet they wished the jeep came with a top and a heater!

NOTE:  The jeep below is a Ford GP

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Fred Heine would late purchase an early CJ-2A, as captured in these press photos that landed for sale on eBay in 2014:

This is a second press photo of a photo sold two months ago. The caption is the same, though it has slightly different marks.

“1945 Press Photo Hutchinson Kansas Fred Heine buys Jeep for farm, H Woodring”

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For comparison, here is what the photo and caption from October 2014 looked like:

1945-09-29-first-jeep-buy1

1945-09-29-first-jeep-buy2

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Is this possibly a GP or MA Body? California City, Ca **SOLD**

August 24, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, GPW (Ford MB), MB, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE:  This appears SOLD, but was listed at $800.

I could be wrong, but the slopes and cut of the passenger and driver’s sides look very similar to a Willys MA, thought maybe a Ford GP as well?.  This has been hacked up a bit, but it’s worth a look.  Check out what appears to be an emergency brake as well.

“Clear title has orignal old style pink slip non op for 20 years but probably off dmv record now… 4×4 ran when parked 10 years ago”

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Santa favors the Willys MA over the Red Sleigh

July 23, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Library Collections, Old Images • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE:  Brendan noted that this is indeed a LOC image. Here is a link to this image and others http://www.history.army.mil/photos/Holiday/wwii.htm.

I suspect it was just easier to stick the tree in the MA rather than his sleigh?  It’s a great pic.  I found this during an image search, but I could not locate the source.  It looks like a Library of Congress type of image.  If anyone knows of the source, please let me know so I can properly credit it.

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1940 Camp Holabird Photos from Life Magazine

April 13, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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There are some new Bantam and MB testing photos at Life Magazine.  There are some great closeups of the Bantam.  Note the first pic — I believe that is the first ‘jeep’ ever stuck in the mud; it surely wasn’t the last!  All six of these photos were taken by David E. Scherman in 1940.

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Bantam BRC-40 Columbus, Oh eBay

January 3, 2010 • CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Thanks to Jim sending the link on this.  Obviously, this is a rare event.

“1941 Bantam Reconnaissance Car (BRC-40).  Restored – starts, run, drives great.  The vehicle was originally purchased  and restored by a pretty well known figure in the Bantam Auto Club circle sometime in the late 80’s/early 90’s.  I have a one page letter from this person detailing his efforts to obtain and restore the vehicle (which I will give to the buyer).   It passed through a few owners until my purchase in 2001.  Over the years I have upgraded/corrected various pieces and parts.  It comes with a few spare parts, manuals, and a top.

The vehicle is 99%+ complete and accurate.  The body tub is original – ie. not a reproduction like many others out there.  The items that I believe are incorrect (or missing) are:

The choke and throttle knobs are the not the early “bulls-eye” type – although I have what I believe to be one correct replacement.

The oil pan does not have a skid plate – although I have a correct, original oil pan with skid plate that needs to be cleaned up and attached.

The rear tool box lid locks are incorrect.

The reflectors are of the King-Bee type (as used on the FORD GP) and I believe should in fact be Triflex SR-71s.

When I purchased the vehicle, it had a reproduction windshield frame.  It was a pretty accurate copy, but a reproduction nonetheless.  I sold it to another BRC-40 owner and acquired an original frame a few years back.  It needs some work (arms straightened, etc and needs the latches to the cowl when in its upright position), but it’s in pretty nice condition.  In fact, it has most of its original paint.

The front bumper is an OK reproduction, but I acquired a much better replacement from Ken Hake which has the correct rivets and hand crank guide.

Lastly, in the spirit of full disclosure, I am not sure the front leaf springs are correct/original.  They may be correct, but again, I am not 100% sure. Lastly she needs a good bath – she has sat in my barn with my other vehicles for the past nine years and has collected a coating of dust and dirt.  It was near freezing when I took the photos – I put a new battery in her and she started right up.  Lastly, after sitting for nearly nine years, the brakes are a bit mushy.  I’ll see if I can rectify this prior to sale (no promises).”

View some of the pics on eBay or many pics here.

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