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THE JEEP STORY ® 1 THE WINNING CONCEPT

THE JEEP brand ® 6 JEEP® STATION WAGON

© 2020 US CUSTOMER SERVICE Editorial Manager: Phil Hunt Eaglemoss Inc. For questions about the collection, Design Manager: Caroline Grimshaw 315 West 36th Street replacements and substitutions, New York, NY 10018 or to cancel, pause or modify Packaged by: Milanoedit srl, your subscription, please call www.milanoedit.com Die-Cast Club® 2020 our US Customer Service team at 800-261-6898, or email us at Researcher/writer: Roberto Bruciamonti All rights reserved [email protected] Photography credits: © FCA YOUR COLLECTION (pp.1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10),

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THE WINNING CONCEPT

▲ The strength of the Jeep® MB The United States successfully implemented was in its simple concept: an extremely robust, inexpensive, the concept that inspired the Jeep® MB. and efficient vehicle.

he modernity of the Jeep® MB didn’t lie designed to be produced quickly and in in advanced solutions for the vehicle’s large quantities. None of the lightweight T mechanics, solutions which in reality, reconnaissance and liaison vehicles used by the when volume production started, were other warring armies could boast the kind of actually quite well-established. What was winning combination of elements such as those

extraordinarily advanced about the Jeep® was which contributed to the success of the Jeep®. its overall concept. So much so that the brand’s name, despite It was super-efficient, reliable, and being trademarked, is still commonly used extremely sturdy. It was also easy to repair, today to refer to lightweight off-road vehicles. quick to produce and inexpensive (the The all-wheel-drive, which many say was

unit price ranged between US$800–900, the decisive advantage of the Jeep® over depending on the contract), and it was its competitors, wasn’t actually a state-of-

1 THE JEEP® STORY THE WINNING CONCEPT

the-art solution for the 1940s. It cannot, on that it was first employed to enable heavy its own, explain the worldwide success that vehicles to be used for industrial and military

the Jeep® enjoyed, simply because this type purposes, enabling trucks and tractors to of drivetrain had already reached a level operate in remote locations as well as to tow of technical maturity in the early years of artillery pieces. The leap from these types of the 20th century that could be considered heavy vehicles to the first off-road vehicles more than satisfactory. Ferdinand Porsche, a that carried passengers was relatively smaller, young designer at Lohner at least from a technical in Vienna, had already standpoint. applied the 4x4 concept The all-wheel-drive concept The first genuine to the Lohner-Porsche was of major importance to example of a vehicle around the end of the designed specifically 19th century – this was the off-road sector. for off-road came from to guarantee the heavy Paul Daimler, the son hybrid a level of mobility that matched the of the founder of Daimler Motoren expectations of its upper-class owners. At Gesellschaft (DMG). In the early 1900s, the the beginning of the last century (1903), the German Imperial Colonial Office asked the Dutchman Spijker even applied the all-wheel- company to design a motor vehicle able drive concept to sports vehicles. to cover long distances off-road, whilst The all-wheel-drive concept was of major simultaneously providing the levels of comfort, importance to the off-road sector. It was here versatility, speed, and reliability that motor

A Lohner-Porsche Mixed Hybrid from the end of the 19th century, one of the first all-wheel-drive vehicles.

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An early 1900s Daimler Kolonial, the first vehicle to be designed specifically for off-road use.

vehicles had already been offering for a an impression of power and sturdiness. number of years. In addition, the stringent requirements The project, called simply Daimler of its special purpose didn’t impact too Kolonial, culminated in the construction of a negatively on its looks.” The price the German sturdy all-wheel-drive car with a 156 in government paid for this vehicle was DM (400 cm) wheelbase, an axle track of 55.2 in 34,750 and, following intense testing in (142 cm), minimum Germany, the model was height from the ground then sent to what was of 12 in (32 cm), overall Even for the time, called German South length of 193 in the Kolonial’s dimensions West Africa (the region (490 cm), and a that approximately total height of were noteworthy. corresponds to Namibia approximately 118 in today). The mechanics (300 cm). The vehicle’s operational weight was were based on a 415 cu in (6.8 l), four-cylinder approximately 3.6 tonnes. Even for the time, petrol engine capable of generating 35 bhp the Kolonial’s dimensions were noteworthy. at 800 rpm and the vehicle, as was the norm One press article declared, “this Mercedes at that time, came supplied with an extensive certainly doesn’t stand out for its light and range of spare parts and, incredibly, even a elegant build, but at first glance it conveys driver-mechanic.

3 THE JEEP® STORY THE WINNING CONCEPT

During the First World War, motor vehicles approximately US$1,840 – more than twice

had to endure extremely uneven terrain. the price of the Jeep® MB. However, since operations during that war Other lightweight 4x4s were also were largely static, the need for lightweight produced in Germany. One example was the vehicles to be able to travel significant standardized lightweight off-road vehicles distances from tarmacked roads was of developed through a joint military project secondary importance. This was despite the between BMW, Stoewer, and Hanomag, which fact that the ability to quickly move one or had a 50 bhp, 2-liter engine, independent more machine guns together with all the four-wheel suspension and permanent all- necessary equipment along combat lines wheel drive with three locking differentials. was starting to gain a certain appeal among They were a splendid example of German the military hierarchy of the Allied armies. A automotive technology, and though they number of attempts were made to develop a were beautiful and elegant during parades, suitable vehicle, particularly with Ford’s two- they were not terribly well suited to the wheel-drive Model T, which was equipped austere conditions of war. Their cost did not with machine guns and hence became a help either, which was in the order of 6,000 patrol car. A 4x4 was actually derived from the Reichsmarks per unit, around US$5,220 –

Model T in 1914 – developed by the American more than the price of five Jeep® MBs. Jesse Livingood, it remained available until Incidentally, up until the beginning of 1928, but only enjoyed limited commercial the 1940s, even in the US it was considered success. to be impossible – as well as financially and Some lightweight 4x4s were developed militarily implausible – to develop a military through the private initiative of car producers, truck which shared the MB’s extraordinary including the Tempo G 1200. This peculiar characteristics. It was thought that the 4x4 was powered by two twin-cylinder, 594 minimum payload would need to be half a cc engines, one connected to the front wheels and the other to the rears. The G 1200 was sold in more than 40 countries, around 1,153 vehicles with the standard arrangement and at least one hundred with specially designed bodies. Its initial price in 1936 was 4,100 Reichsmarks, which increased to 4,600 Reichsmarks in 1939, an amount that equated to

▶ A Tempo G 1200, a reliable vehicle even in the most extreme conditions – in this case, snow.

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A Willys “Quad” prototype, with a look that resembled a vehicle produced during the previous decades.

tonne, double that stipulated for the MB. 1930s. Looking at these solutions today, they The first lightweight, all-wheel-drive military seem like a combination of the powerfully truck that the US Army deemed suitable for innovative and incredibly imaginative.

their needs was a standard 1936 Ford pick-up It was only the arrival of the Jeep®, truck with adapted body; it was converted designed and produced using typically into a 4x4 by Marmon-Herrington, a company American methods and techniques, that which specialized in such showed the way, modifications. and represented the At that time, the The “Quad” prototype benchmark for the sector

Jeep® MB was still to was a rather old-fashioned- right through to the be developed, and beginning of the new designers in the off-road looking vehicle. millennium. However, at vehicle sector were still the very outset when it developing the technology. They proposed was being developed from scratch, even the solutions such as the “Belly Flopper”, which MB didn’t give any particular indications of was nothing more than a motorized platform how successful it would ultimately be. This for transporting a machine gun and its related was especially considering the initial look of equipment around the battlefield; it was the 1940 Willys “Quad” prototype, which was developed in the US in the second half of the a rather old-fashioned-looking vehicle.

5 THE JEEP® BRAND JEEP® STATION WAGON

JEEP® STATION WAGON

▲ A Jeep® Model After the war, the Jeep® successfully 463 Station Wagon, which entered followed the road to peace. production in 1946.

n 1943, the fall of fascism (July 25th) and a talented young industrial designer, and gave then Italy’s surrender and change of him the task of designing the body of what I alliance (September 8th) raised hopes of should have become the first post-war Willys- a quick end to the Second World War. This Overland sedan. was why, in the latter months of 1943, the So, during the first six months of 1944, management committees of American car the Willys 6/66 prototype started to take producers took their first steps towards what shape. This was an attractive sedan which they hoped would arrive quickly – the much- reinterpreted, with a modern touch, the styles awaited return to a peacetime economy, that characterized the Willys vehicles of the paving the way for the design of post-war pre-war period. Stevens still needed to put models. One of these was Willys-Overland. the finishing touches to the prototype when, Delmar “Barney” Roos, the company’s chief due to a change in management, the project engineer, contacted Brooks Stevens, was suddenly interrupted.

6 THE JEEP® BRAND JEEP® STATION WAGON

The affable and well-liked president Indeed, at that time it was common Joseph Frazer was replaced by Charles practice in the US automotive sector to Sorensen, a genius of industrial high-volume contract car body production out to third- production who was renowned as much for party companies. Those companies would his great expertise in the sector as for his already have been too busy handling orders difficult character and dogged determination. from the “big three” (General Motors, Ford, On taking the reins at Willys-Overland, one of and Chrysler) to be able to take any further Sorensen’s first moves orders from Willys. was to call Brooks Sorensen therefore Stevens to a meeting. Sorensen invited Stevens to invited Stevens to put Before stepping … give top priority to a new the 6/66 project on the into the office, Stevens back burner and give was sure that the project instead. top priority to a new meeting would bring project instead. He was his collaboration with to revive the practicality, the Toledo (Ohio) car producer to an end. versatility, simplicity of use, and sturdiness

Instead, after expressing his appreciation of the Jeep® MB and apply these attributes regarding the design elegance of the Willys to a civilian model. In other words, Sorensen 6/66, Sorensen clearly explained that, with effectively outlined the qualities that should his view of how the US industrial landscape bestow a modern sport utility vehicle. He would pan out during the immediate post-war asked Stevens to make this a reality, whilst period, the 6/66 model would have to remain being careful to “come up with a simple body an unfulfilled dream. design and not to exceed a forming depth

The Jeep® Station Wagon interiors were sober and stylish. The Willys-Overland logo is there for all to admire on the steering wheel.

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of six inches,” so as to enable the metal The style was simple and personal, and sheets to be produced in any factory capable the structure had many similarities with the

of producing “office furniture, shelving, or layouts of the Jeep® MB and the CJ-2A; the washing machines.” wheelbase of the chassis was increased to The task for Stevens was simultaneously 104.5 in (265 cm) and it had independent both very challenging and very stimulating. front suspension. The body included just two For reasons of practicality, the mechanics doors and a large tailgate – which was also needed to use many parts in common divided horizontally into two sections – and

with the Jeep® MB, but responsibility for this it was able to accommodate six or seven was given to Barney Roos – he was already people. The doors and sides included

involved in developing the first civilian Jeep® moldings to provide extra strength; these to be derived from the MB. looked similar to the wood paneling that was In January 1946, the unyielding Sorensen commonly found on prestige station wagons was replaced with a new president, James at that time. D. Mooney, from General Motors. Sensibly, The mechanics were similar to those of Mooney decided not to intervene in the the MB and CJ-2A: the engine was the “Go projects that were already underway, simply Devil” L-134, a 134 cid (2.2 l), four-cylinder asking the technicians working on them to engine that included a timing system with side proceed as quickly as possible with the plans valves and gear-driven camshaft. Capable of established by his predecessor. On July 11th, generating 60 bhp and 105 lb/ft (142 Nm),

1946, the much awaited Jeep® Model 463 it could operate at maximum power for at Station Wagon came into being. least 200 consecutive hours. The Station

The body boasted the wooden panels which were in vogue at the time. The tailgate was divided horizontally into two sections.

8 THE JEEP® BRAND JEEP® STATION WAGON

Wagon, initially at least, was a rear-wheel-drive and had a three-gear transmission WILLYS JEEP® SW KEY SPECS with overdrive, guaranteeing optimum efficiency and BUILT: 1946–1965 exceptional acoustic comfort at high speed. MANUFACTURERS: Willys-Overland Motors;

The maximum speed was Kaiser Jeep® ; IKA (Industrias approximately 65.2 mph (105 Kaiser Argentina); Mitsubishi km/h), more or less the same Motors; Ford Brazil

as the Jeep® MB. NET WEIGHT: 3,206 lb (1,454 kg) During 1946, 6,534 GROSS WEIGHT: 4,500 lb (2,041 kg) Jeep® Station Wagons were produced and they retailed DIMENSIONS: 176 ¼ in (447.7 cm) at US$1,495 which, together x 72 in (182.9 cm)

with the 71,554 Jeep® CJ- MAXIMUM SPEED: 65.2 mph (105 km/h) 2As (sold in 1946 at a list FUEL CAPACITY: price of US$1,146 each), 15 gal (56.78 l) suggested a very bright RANGE: 300 miles (480 km) future for the producer. ENGINE: Willys L-134 4-cylinder It wasn’t long before the 134 cu in (2.2 l) “Go Devil” model was a commercial success: 27,515 vehicles were POWER: 60 bhp at 4,000 rpm sold in 1947 (when the price TORQUE: 105 lb/ft (10.7 kgm- had increased to US$1,616). 142 Nm) at 2,000 rpm A commercial version had WHEELBASE: 104.5 in (265.4 cm) also been added to the series – the Model 463 panel TRANSMISSION: 3-speed, with overdrive wagon was an attractive van which cost US$1,358 per unit and had a tailgate made entirely of steel with no glass panels. and with a maximum torque increasing from The cargo space, accessible through a double 104.9 to 116.7 lb/ft (from 10.7 to 11.9 kgm) at swing door tailgate, boasted an incredible 713 2,000 rpm. The increase in maximum speed gal (2,700 l) of volume and an internal height was negligible, but the acceleration and agility of 50 in (127 cm). were much improved. The front profile of the 463 was also Staying in 1948, the Model 463 also used in the pick-up version (Willys Model became available in an all-wheel-drive

473 Jeep® Truck), which was launched in version. Initially developed at the request 1947 in a number of variants. In 1948, to go of the US Army, it had a front engine cradle alongside the “Go Devil”, a better performing and transmission derived from those used

engine was employed for the Willys Model right from the very beginning on the Jeep®

663 Jeep® Station Sedan: the 148 cid (2.4 l) Truck 4x4. In 1950, the entire Jeep® range,

“Lightning Six” L-148, generating 72 bhp with the exception of the Jeep® Universal,

9 THE JEEP® BRAND JEEP® STATION WAGON

underwent a small restyling at the front of the The Jeep® Station Wagon series vehicle in particular, where they were given remained in production until 1965, constantly a new angled radiator grille with chrome- undergoing a number of small mechanical plated horizontal contours. Also in 1950, all improvements along the way including a new

versions of the Jeep® Station Wagon and their 6-226 “Super Hurricane” engine in 1954, derivatives were given the new “Hurricane” replaced by the 6-230 “Tornado” OHC in engine, a development of the “Go Devil” with 1962. There were also some modest style a new F-head. This had mixed valves (inlet changes to the body, together with special valves within the cylinder head and exhaust edition versions such as the Maverick, or show side-valves within the engine block), capable cars like the incredibly elegant Harlequin. of generating 75 bhp at 4,000 rpm and a Around the middle of the 1960s, the model 112 lb/ft (155 Nm) torque at 2,000 rpm. was substituted with another milestone

For this reason, the six-cylinder “Lightning in the history of Jeep® production, the Six” engine also had to be upgraded to 161 Wagoneer – this was another sport utility cid (2.7 l), thus becoming the L6-161. This unit vehicle which went on to make an indelible stayed on catalogue until the following year, mark on the sector.

when it was replaced by the new F6-161 that In the 1965 Jeep® catalogue – last in which

featured a new mixed-valve cylinder head it appears – the Jeep® Station Wagon range similar to that used in the F4-134 “Hurricane”, (Series 6-230, with six-cylinder, 230 cid, 140 hence why the new engine became known as bhp engines) was basically available in two the “Hurricane Six”. main models. The first was a Panel Delivery van with a ½-tonne payload (US$2,377 for the two-wheel-drive version, US$2,973 for the 4x4 version) and the second was the Station Wagon, on sale at US$2,596 for the 4x2 version and at US$3,263 for the 4x4 (the four- wheel-drive version was officially called the Utility Wagon).

The Jeep® Station Wagon was also produced abroad under license for many years, from South America (Argentina and Brazil) to Japan. Its final Brazilian version (Ford Rural-Willys) remained in production until

1977, whilst the Mitsubishi Jeep® Wagon was only removed from catalogue lists in 1983.

◀ An old advertising brochure underlined how appealing the vehicle was to different sections of American society.

10 www.build-willysjeep.com