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THE JEEP STORY ® 1 A WINNING BALANCE

THE JEEP brand ® 6 WAGONEER

Eaglemoss Inc. Build the WIllys MB Jeep® Design Manager: Caroline Grimshaw 315 West 36th Street is available by monthly subscription. New York, NY 10018 www.build-willysjeep.com Packaged by: Milanoedit srl, www.milanoedit.com Eaglemoss Ltd., US CUSTOMER SERVICE Premier Place, For questions about the collection, Researcher/writer: Roberto Bruciamonti 2 & A Half Devonshire Square, replacements and substitutions, London, EC2M 4UJ, UK or to cancel, pause or modify Photography credits: © NARA (p.1), your subscription, please call © Bruciamonti (pp.2, 3, 4, 5), 144 Avenue Charles de Gaulle, our US Customer Service team © FCA (pp.6, 7, 8, 9) 92200 NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, at 800-261-6898, or email us at France [email protected]

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A WINNING BALANCE ▲ The contract included a 90-day It was the combination of various factors (or 4,000-mile/6,437-km) guarantee, provided the vehicle that enabled Willys to beat off its rivals. was regularly maintained.

he supremacy of Willys over its rivals extant government contracts in process at

during the trials for winning the contract the time, so producing the Jeep® wouldn’t to supply the first Jeep vehicles to have any impact in terms of slowing down the T ® the government was mainly attributed to supplies of any other military equipment; it the superiority of the “Go Devil” engine. In also helped that the engine was produced in- reality, however, the quality of its engine was house using existing machinery. Lastly, Willys- just one of the reasons for the success of the Overland was practically the only major US car Willys 4x4: we shouldn’t overlook the fact that manufacturer to have historically focused its the manufacturer was a major player in the production on economy cars. industry at the time, although it was a far cry Naturally, we are talking about American from the size and capacity that Ford could economy cars, which were quite different count on. Furthermore, Willys didn’t have any from European models. Unlike Bantam, which

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had tried, ever since the end of the 1920s, to the overall body. This becomes obviously launch its British-style economy cars in the US apparent when observing photographs of as second cars, Willys-Overland’s production the Willys Quad prototype: compared to its carefully focused on what had the potential adversaries, the Willys vehicle focused on for becoming the car of the American working practicality and reliability and not on elegant class. This car would lines – these qualities be cheap to buy and would undoubtedly run, with limited cubic The manufacturer was a major prove more useful to capacity compared to player in the industry, although soldiers engaged in war normal US standards, zones, than car design but not to the extent that it was a far cry from the size elements. Another very performance, reliability, and capacity that Ford valid reason for this and durability were was the fact that, in compromised. could count on. order to assemble the The experience vehicle, Willys was able gained by the manufacturer’s technical to simply modify the elements which were departments in designing this type of car already in production and were available in its was brought to bear on research efforts warehouses – in particular, those used on the

for the Jeep® , in particular in developing Willys commercial sedans in the second half the structure, the suspension system, and of the 1930s.

The Willys MB chassis had a classic structure, even for the period – it was based on steel longerons and crossbeams.

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The same chassis structure was

later used for all of the Jeep® CJs and is still used on today’s JLs.

The Jeep® vehicle’s entire structure was at that time. In particular, it had a rather dated developed according to these principles, timing system with side valves, a characteristic hence why the military’s request to commence that was vital for limiting the vehicle’s height the mass production of vehicles wouldn’t and enabling it to remain within the stipulated call for the acquisition limits laid down by the of new machinery or military authorities. the opening of new The Willys Jeep® The “skeleton” of production lines. In the Jeep was provided was a very modern vehicle, ® fact, the Willys Jeep® by a sturdy structure was, at least from a and highly logical. with longerons and technical standpoint, a crossbeams, a solution very modern vehicle, and still used on the most

highly logical, but was constructed according recent Jeep® Wranglers. It was robust but to very traditional designs and methods. light, and made using steel components with Even the “Go Devil”, the power and torque thicknesses and sizes that were compatible

of which put the Jeep® head and shoulders with the machines already being used to above its rivals, wasn’t exactly state-of-the-art produce the chassis of other Willys-Overland

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vehicles. The suspensions, with a solid at the Willys-Overland plant or at the factories double-axle and four longitudinal leaf springs, of its usual suppliers – with only limited had a very classic shape and incorporated forming depths required, they were very telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers (called simple to manufacture. “aeronautical” in those days). The hydraulic The MB had a three-gear transmission component could be adjusted to adapt (T-84, produced by Borg-Warner), with a the response of the shock absorbers to transfer case (Dana-Spicer Model 18) which suit the types of terrain the vehicle would enabled the vehicle to operate as a rear-wheel predominantly be used on. drive on normal roads, or as a four-wheel During the drive when off-road development of the or on surfaces where vehicle from the Its structure and the thickness the holding was poor. prototype through to of the sheet metal panels Thanks to the two-speed the finished article, the reduction transmission,

shape of the Willys Jeep® remained largely unchanged. normal and creeper, the

body underwent a series Jeep® was capable of of radical modifications, climbing fully loaded – but its structure and the thickness of the sheet and with some power left to spare – up terrain metal panels remained largely unchanged. with a gradeability of up to 60% (30°). It could Indeed, for the final version of the body also drive at walking pace (2 mph/3.5 km/h) used on the MB, every single one of its for a full day with no jerking or issues, and components could be easily produced either then still be able to reach top speed (in excess

The identification number on the Willys chassis was inscribed on a label positioned at the top end of the left longeron.

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The Jeep® MBs included a dedicated plate to support the machine gun.

of 62 mph/100 kmh) and maintain it without than either of Willys’ competitors). It also issue for up to 100 consecutive hours. performed well in terms of braking distance

Overall, the future Jeep® offered the best and fuel consumption, it had a satisfactory balance compared to its rivals, and it was turning circle of 19.4 ft (5.9 m), and the testing this feature, together with the superiority of personnel particularly appreciated the driving its engine, that led to position of the Willys. the decision to place In addition to the the order for the first The overall rating engine’s superiority, batch of vehicles with for the Willys MB there were other aspects Willys-Overland. The in which the Willys Rifkind Report included was the highest. vehicle proved to be far a comparison between better in comparison to the three models via those of the other two a series of rankings, and it showed that manufacturers. There were quite a number of the overall rating for the Willys MB was the complaints about the rival vehicles, including highest: the Toledo manufacturer’s 4x4 imprecise steering, power problems when scored maximum points for off-road mobility, climbing very steep inclines, limited legroom, climbing ability, and maximum speed (the awkward position of the controls, and prototype was at least 10 mph/16 km/h faster mediocre performance.

5 THE JEEP® BRAND WAGONEER

WAGONEER ▲ Extreme comfort The Wagoneer model combined technical and excellent on-road ability with effortless elegance. performance set the Jeep® Wagoneer apart.

owards the end of the 1950s, the significant success on the international market,

Jeep® Station Wagon was starting sales in the US were starting to slow down. T to show its age, both mechanically A further update to the Station Wagon, and aesthetically. It continued to take its production of which commenced in 1946 (and inspiration from the classic styles and lines remained available in the car manufacturer’s derived from the look of the Willys MB, but US catalog listings until 1965), was rejected in a series of additions and modifications over the initial phases of development. Indeed, it the years had rendered its lines ragged and was this process that highlighted the need for a little over-elaborate. This, together with a completely new model, one that was more the appearance of new competitors, meant powerful, more imposing, and offered more its style was becoming increasingly less load capacity and improved performance appealing to the public, particularly in the US. so as to satisfy the “modern” needs of Indeed, although the model was still enjoying American families.

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And this was how the Jeep® Wagoneer separated from the body and a reduction was born, the forefather of a family that would transmission with creeper gears. The go on to rewrite the history of 4x4s – a family Wagoneer paved the way for what was to

which, for the majority of Americans, would become the best-loved Jeep® of all time,

remain a genuine icon in the Jeep® universe the Cherokee, introduced in 1974 as a cheap for decades to come. Its array of superior alternative to the Wagoneer. For many years qualities enabled it to quickly become a big the Wagoneer was flanked by its pick-up favorite for large families version, the Gladiator, and for those living in with which it shared the remote locations. It also The Wagoneer became look of the front section became a status symbol a status symbol as well as much of the for the more affluent, mechanics: the two who enjoyed the fact for the more affluent. models actually went into that its excellent on-road development at the same performance was matched by its unparalleled time, in 1959. The prototype of the Wagoneer, load capacity and superior comfort. It was according to its designer Bob Sheaves (who

still, to all intents and purposes, a Jeep® : a was working in the Jeep® R&D center at the highly practical vehicle capable of crossing time), was built in March 1960, whilst the a plowed-up field or wading across a river Gladiator prototype came along three months without too many issues. It was practically later. The first Wagoneer was introduced the first luxury off-road vehicle to ever hit to the public in 1962, with the intention to the market. launch it onto the market the following year. Under the body, the Wagoneer concealed The manufacturer advertised it as the station

strong links to its Jeep® forefather, with a wagon with the most capacious trunk and the longeron and crossbeam-based chassis biggest tailgate in its wheelbase category.

In 1974, the luxury Wagoneer was joined by the cheaper, but equally versatile, Cherokee.

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Right from the very beginning, the overdrive as an option). An interesting, and Wagoneer was available in both the two- and somewhat peculiar, feature for a vehicle that four-wheel drive versions, the former with was purported to be a family station wagon independent front suspension and the latter was the possibility of equipping it with a with a solid double- power take-off. The list axle. Initially, there was The first Wagoneer of options also included just the one engine, a snowplow as well as the 3.8-liter, straight six was introduced to the a reinforced bumper cylinder “Tornado”, with public in 1962. with push bars, similar an overhead camshaft to those used on police timing system and vehicles. The unladen capable of generating 140 bhp at 4,000 rpm. weight, for a four door all-wheel-drive model, The engine could have an automatic or was less than 4,000 lb (1,800 kg). This was manual transmission (in this case, three quite low for a vehicle offering such incredible forward gears and one reverse gear, plus sturdiness with a 110 in (2.79 m) wheelbase and a total length of approximately 189 in (4.8 m). A model with a low compression engine was introduced in 1964 – which enabled the use of lower quality fuels that were available outside the United States – but it only enjoyed moderate success. In 1965,

Jeep® presented it as “the only all-wheel-drive family car which looked as stylish and behaved as elegantly on the road as a modern sedan”. It came with variable flexibility suspension, power- assisted brakes, power steering, and automatic transmission (GM). The all- wheel-drive and reduction transmission could be activated via a simple lever,

◀ From the 1960s,

advertisements for the Jeep® station wagon started to introduce the concept of all-wheel-drive vehicles improving road safety.

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The full size Cherokee remained in production until the early 1990s, with sufficiently powerful engines to match the size of the vehicles.

and a traffic light-style warning system with by AMC in 1970 only resulted in a few minor large lights ensured the driver was always adjustments to the Wagoneer series, with reminded of which drive option was selected. each model getting the same radiator grille as The list of options was extended, and those used on the top-of-the-range versions. included the 5.6-liter V8 “Vigilante” engine, In 1972, the line up of engines included a which could generate 250 bhp at 4,700 rpm. 4.2-liter, 110 bhp straight six cylinder and two Still in 1965, the series was expanded even V8s (optionals) of 304 cu in and 360 cu in, further with the addition of the Super offering 150 and 175 bhp respectively. Wagoneer, a model whose look remained A moderate restyling gave the Wagoneer almost entirely unaltered right up until the a more modern look, with more sophisticated 1991 Grand Wagoneer. interiors and improved After 1965, Jeep seats offering a more ® After 1965, started streamlining its elegant finish and

vehicle range, reducing Jeep® started streamlining better ergonomics. In the number of models its vehicle range. 1973, in response to the it had on the market. permanent all-wheel- The less successful drive being used on product lines were eliminated, leading to the Range Rover, the Wagoneer offered, for the discontinuation of the two-wheel drive the top of the range model with a 5.9-liter Wagoneers in 1966, as well as a general V8 engine and automatic transmission, reduction in the number of economy models the possibility of having the Quadra-Trac included in the range. However, a new full permanent all-wheel-drive, with or without optional version of the Wagoneer was added, reduction transmission. The Cherokee made costing over US$6,000 (in a period when the its appearance in 1974, as a cheaper, two-door average sedan would set you back a little version of the Wagoneer. The Wagoneer’s

more than US$2,000). The acquisition of Jeep® radiator grille was also modernized and the

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Quadra-Trac was also made available for efficient engines, with the introduction the six-cylinder engine models. In 1975, the of electronic ignitions and modifications Wagoneer series included a version powered to automatic transmissions, and a slightly by the 6.6-liter V8 AMC 401 engine, as an increased demand for manual transmissions.

alternative to the 5.9-liter engine. However, during the early 1980s Jeep® In the second half of the 1970s, the was carefully looking into the possibility of model only underwent a number of slight substituting the large Wagoneer with a more modifications, with just a few new important compact model derived from the Cherokee features added in 1979: the introduction XJ that had an all-welded unit structure. of disc brakes and the Chrysler TorqueFlite This model became a reality in 1984 with automatic transmissions to replace those the introduction of the Wagoneer XJ, which made by GM. Customers becoming resulted in a tendency to enhance the “full increasingly more aware of environmental size” Wagoneer even further. This led to it issues resulted in the development of more gaining in both weight and prestige, but it also meant that it continued to guzzle quite a lot of fuel. In 1987, Chrysler took over AMC and the Grand JEEP® WAGONeeR SJ (1963) KEY SPECS Wagoneer range, by which time it had come to the end BUILT: 1963–1991 of its road, with no further significant updates being MAT NUFAC URERS: Kaiser Jeep Corp.; ® implemented. It was just American Motors Corp; the aesthetics that received Chrysler Jeep Corp a new makeover each year, NET WEIGHT: 3,731 lb (1,692 kg) being careful not to change GR Oss WEIGHT: 4,500 lb (2,041 kg) it too much because its clientele was highly loyal DIM EnsIONS: 1 83.5 in (466 cm) (approximately 60% of x 75.5 in (192 cm) buyers already owned MAXIMUM SPEED: 89 mph (143 km/h) a Grand Wagoneer). However, its production FU : EL CAPACITY 20 gal (76 l) soon came to an end; RANGE: 240 miles (380 km) in 1992 there was no longer ENI G NE: L 6 SOHC 6-cylinder a Grand Wagoneer listed 230.5 cid (3.8 l) “Tornado” in the catalog. A model with the same name did make POWER: 140 bhp at 4,000 rpm it back into the range TORQUE: 210 lb/ft (29 kgm-285 Nm) in 1993, but its set-up at 1,750 rpm was based on the Grand WHEBA E L S : 110 in (279.4 cm) Cherokee, an all-welded unit model whose structure TASNR N MIS IO : 3-speed x 2 speed transfer was derived from the 1984 Cherokee.

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