The Willys Jeep is the iconic vehicle of World War II. It is considered the ancestor of modern 4×4 vehicles.
It was created in 1941 to meet the US Army’s need for a lightweight, rugged, agile, four-wheel-drive vehicle to replace motorcycles and modified Ford Model Ts.
The design timeframe was set at just 49 days.
Willys-Overland won the final contract, though Ford also manufactured the vehicle under license (as the GPW) to help meet the massive demand.
600,000 units were produced between 1941 and 1945.
The Willys Jeep also became a symbol of the Liberation. On June 14, 1944, General de Gaulle traveled through liberated towns in a Willys Jeep to greet the crowds.
The image of the Willys Jeep is thus forever etched in the history of the Liberation of France.
















