During the second world war the US Army recognised the need for a fast, lightweight all-terrain vehicle. In 1940, the Army put out a tender to automotive companies to create a working prototype (fitting army specifications) within forty-nine days.

The company that eventually won the battle of the prototypes was Willy’s Truck Company with their MB model.

Nicknamed “the Jeep” the vehicle was adopted with great success on the battlefield US General Dwight D. Eisenhower is quoted as saying that, “America could not have won World War II without it”. Although I’m sure he meant to say that the Allies wouldn’t have won without it!

After the end of the war the jeep went continued its success being adopted by the US Postal Service for a time and being sold commercially well into the modern era. Although if you look at the jeeps around on the road today, they don’t much resemble Willy’s original model.