How Ford Helped Create Jeep

Okay, I know it’s going to be hard for some of you here to swallow, but yes, that iconic Jeep face that you’ve come to love and adore owes a lot of its beauty to Ford.

In a recent report, the guys at Jalopnik have taken some time to remind people of this fact, which most folks here probably wish weren’t true. And they went with a lead image that I can’t imagine anyone here would download as a screen saver…

As the story goes, the first prototype for the face was designed by American Bantam, but knowing that the company couldn’t mass produce it, the Army invited Ford and Willys Jeep to create their own versions.

Versions of all three of designs were eventually integrated into a final version that Willys took licensing credit for. But given Ford’s capacity to produce a lot of vehicles, they were also allowed to produce the Jeep.

According to Jalopnik, “One of the most noticeable contributions to the hybrid design was the adoption of the Ford’s flat hood and front end. While the final Jeep was being prepared for mass-production… Ford realized that the grille/front end could be built much more quickly and cheaply if they used a single stamped piece of steel instead of the iron fence-like construction of the prototype.”

Sound familiar?

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>

via [Jalopnik.com]

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