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DIGITAL MAGAZINE 6 Jeep, the Jeep grille and related logos, vehicle model names and trade dress are trademarks of FCA US LLC and used under license by Premium & Collectibles Trading Co ltd. ©2021 FCA US LLC. CONTENTS THE JEEP STORY ® 1 THE TESTS THE JEEP BRAND ® 6 CJ-3B © 2021 YOUR COLLECTION Editorial Manager: Phil Hunt Eaglemoss Inc. Build the WIllys MB Jeep® Design Manager: Caroline Grimshaw 315 West 36th Street, is available by monthly subscription. 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THE JEEP® STORY THE TESTS THE TESTS ▲ The tests conducted on the pre- The Camp Holabird trials really put the series models called for teamwork prototypes through their paces. and effort from everyone involved. o paraphrase an old adage, prior to ton vehicle could have on the battlefield. 1940 the US Army had time but had no The initial order was for Bantam to produce T money, whilst after 1940 it had money 70 pre-series vehicles, so that they could but no longer had any time. This was why, be evaluated by the operational units. Even after a very sluggish start, the development of before this order was completed, a number the Jeep® advanced at great speed, so much of the initial specification parameters were so that the various phases often overlapped. amended – these were considered to be After just a few days of testing on the unrealistic in relation to the technical know- Camp Holabird test tracks, all the US Army how of that time or only achievable to the branches with an interest in the Jeep® detriment of the vehicle’s reliability and (infantry, cavalry, and artillery) quickly started sturdiness. The extensive list of faults suffered to realize the incredible potential this quarter- by the prototypes and the pre-series vehicles 1 THE JEEP® STORY THE TESTS is testament to just how severe the tests were. the president of the American Bantam Car However, the comments made by the military Company, Fenn, who broadly described the technicians suggest that the breakages characteristics of the final model. Following and breakdowns to the chassis, engines, this meeting, Hoag sent a report to his Army drivetrains, and bodies were considered Chief of Staff, stating: “The vehicle will have a normal in view of the brutality of the tests, maximum speed in the order of 65 mph (105 which were specifically designed to highlight km/h), a maximum height of less than 40 in any issues before the (102 cm), it will be able vehicles were employed The extensive list of faults to accommodate four in combat situations. people and tow a 37 The repairs and suffered by the prototypes mm (1.45 in) gun. The modifications that the is testament to just how severe manufacturer could, with Bantam prototype a modest investment underwent during its the tests were. in equipment and very short operational machinery, soon be able life offer some insight into just how exacting to produce 20 per day and, by reorganizing the military tests were. We know that the its production, could increase this to 50 units Bantam Scout Car was delivered to the US per day within a maximum of 45 days. The Army’s QMC in Holabird at 4.30 pm on unit price, in this case, could be as low as Monday September 23rd, 1940, driven there approximately US$600.” by Ralph Turner, followed by Fenn, Probst, and The tests were carried out by the 23rd Crist in the latter’s own car. The preliminary QMC’s E Company, which at the time was operations, together with measurements The tests that the competitor prototypes were subjected to, for example this Willys and checks, were Quad, were anything but a walk in the park. conducted on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th, and the vehicle was presented to a committee of high ranking officials who had come down from Washington especially. On that occasion, one of these officials, Lieutenant Colonel Earl S. Hoag, had an interesting meeting with 2 THE JEEP® STORY THE TESTS commanded by Captain Eugene Moseley. took about three weeks to evaluate the Jeep® Sergeant Lawrence H. Ross’s team was called prototype, stretching from September 27th, to carry out the field tests, and the sergeant 1940, through to October 16th.” described the operations as follows: “My The US Army’s reports, particularly those team consisted of me and another six drivers. detailing the Bantam’s list of repairs and the We took turns driving, sometimes even for pictures taken at Camp Holabird, show that eight hours at a time, after the initial days on the various routes of testing, the wide, around the testing “We took turns driving, elegant one-piece ground depending on sometimes even for windshield, which was the timetables stipulated hinged at the top of for each of the different eight hours at a time.” the firewall, already vehicle groups. The had worrying cracks tests ran continuously, 24/7, but in general it on its right-hand side. For this reason, the was difficult to maintain this sort of rhythm testing team decided to remove it before it because every five, maximum six days, a potentially shattered and posed a danger to major fault would occur, which required one the crew. Subsequently, one after the other, or two days of repair work to be carried out the issues just kept coming: the camshaft and by the manufacturer’s personnel who were dynamo pulleys broke, water had infiltrated stationed at Camp Holabird. In the end, it the carburetor, and it became clear that The square body requested by the US military is perfectly evident from this rear view of a Bantam BRC-40. 3 THE JEEP® STORY THE TESTS ◀ The 1,500 vehicles from the first three series built were employed on a range of field trials, like this Bantam BRC-40. a list of suggested improvements for the subsequent model, the Bantam prototype was still able to drive all the way back to the manufacturer’s headquarters in Butler on its own four wheels. Once again, it the ignition system wasn’t protected from was driven by Ralph Turner, who had also water being projected by the cooling fan, made himself available to military officials often causing problems. The parking brake throughout the tests and took charge of every broke, the intake manifold cracked, the single one of the necessary repairs. cooling system was considered inadequate, The prototype’s adventures didn’t end the headlight supports came off, and the with the Camp Holabird tests: indeed, oil pan ruptured twice due to impacts with whilst driving back to Butler, it collided rocks protruding from with a telephone line the ground – the same maintenance truck. The rocks that also, on one The US Army was impact was so strong it occasion, completely well satisfied with caused serious damage ripped off the muffler. to the front axle, as well The engine supports, the new vehicle. as the prototype’s entire the rear leaf spring front section. When it suspension supports, finally arrived back at the and the front camshaft coupling all broke. factory, the decision was made to dismantle Once the tests were completed, it also the vehicle and recover all the parts that were became apparent that the central sections of still usable. Legend has it that these parts the two chassis longerons were cracked. were used to complete one of the remaining Despite all this, at the end of the tests and 69 Bantams from the first series (Bantam MkII after a grueling 3,410 miles (5,488 km), the US or Bantam BRC-60) ordered by the US Army Army was well satisfied with the new vehicle. through the initial contract. After a final inspection conducted by military Soon after the destiny of the “mother technicians on October 28th, 1940, to draw up of all Jeep® vehicles” was set, Willys (on 4 THE JEEP® STORY THE TESTS November 11th A column of Bantam BRC-60s. or, according to The manufacturer built 69 of other sources, on these vehicles after the prototype the 13th) and Ford performed well in testing. (on November 23rd) delivered their prototypes to Holabird personnel for testing. From a faults and breakdowns standpoint, the results were comparable to those of the Bantam: for example, the “Go Devil” engine, which ended up being the decisive factor in helping the Willys prototype emerge as the and maneuverable, and the Willys vehicle best candidate, suffered an irreparable fault was the most powerful and most closely during the initial testing phases. In order to adhered to the performance requirements continue with the tests, the engine had to laid down by the military. Ford’s offering was be substituted with one taken from a sedan the most advanced from an industrial design being used by the manufacturer’s personnel, standpoint and had a body that most closely who were at Holabird to provide assistance matched the US Army’s specifications.