Interesting Facts About WWII Military Jeeps
Today, one of the most popular vehicles for off-road enthusiasts and SUV lovers is the Jeep. Though there are many variations of Jeeps on the consumer market, nothing will ever outshine the appeal and triumphs of the original version. Here are some fun and interesting facts about WWII military Jeeps that you probably didn’t know.
Sport “Jeeping”
In 1953, Mark Smith gathered a group of Jeep enthusiasts to trek along the Rubicon Trail. The civilian market was small, so the trail ride was a big hit among Jeep owners. The rides are well-known staples in the Jeep community and have a new name: Jeep Jamborees.
The Ford Amphibious Jeep
When the military found an excellent use for their Jeep on land, Ford came up with the idea of a model that traveled by land and water. In theory, this was an advanced innovation, but unfortunately, the plans failed to come to fruition.
Ford managed to produce 13,000 amphibious vehicles before the project stopped altogether. The vehicles were too heavy to meet their needs. However, the Soviet Union eventually picked up the idea and used amphibious vehicles in river crossings.
Keyless Concept
A button to start a vehicle seems like an advanced technology only found in specific makes and models. But the technology dates back to the first Jeeps. The 1941 MB variation had a push-button start, and the button was easily findable on the floorboard of the SUV, which did not come with keys.
Variable Vehicle Components
Another interesting fact about WWII military Jeeps was the original designs did not house doors, and the top was cloth. This allowed the vehicle to be lighter and more manageable for accessibility purposes. The windshield was also an afterthought, and when Willys saw Ford’s original prototype, they decided to add a windshield that was also removable.
There are many facts to know about historical wartimes. If we go back and visit the periods, we can learn that much of what we do, use, and enjoy today came to us as innovations for hard-fought battles.
