Why the Ford Jeep is the Greatest Vehicle Ever Made -- Jay Leno's Garage

[geargeek]

Jay Leno takes a deep dive into the "original dune buggy"—his authentic 1942 Ford GPW. While many associate the Jeep solely with Willys, Jay explains the fascinating history of how Henry Ford, a noted pacifist, was tapped by the government to mass-produce this legendary 4x4 using the Willys patent.

In this episode, Jay discusses:

The Ford-Willys Collaboration: How Ford’s manufacturing genius allowed them to stamp out grilles and bodies to meet the government’s desperate need for speed.

The "$100 Jeep" Legend: Jay recalls the famous ads in the back of Mechanics Illustrated where veterans could buy surplus Jeeps still packed in original Cosmoline for just a hundred bucks.

Battlefield Engineering: A look at the "bulletproof" 134 cubic inch flathead motor, the blackout lights for nighttime convoys, and the brilliant folding headlights that double as work lights for repairs in the field.

Off-Road Prowess: Why this 2,400-lb vehicle feels more at home on the dirt than on the bad roads of Los Angeles.

A Veteran’s Legacy: Jay shares a personal story about Senator Bob Dole and reflects on the brave soldiers who protected the world in these simple, mechanical machines.

Whether you call it a GPW or a Jeep, this 1942 Ford is a classic example of American ingenuity that helped win WWII.

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[aermtr]

Another reason I won’t be offended the next time someone tells me “nice Jeep” to my Bronco.

 

[Oldhippie]

Old buddy of mine was given a gpw when he was discharged… ran the rubicon in it with us back in the day…

 

[BigFootie]

Thanks for posting! My father was a Jeep driver in Europe during WWII.

 

[MilesTeg]

I never liked Leno's Garage after I watched him lean/brush his riveted jean self all over someone's brand new restored/painted car. You could watch the guy visibly cringe but he was too polite to tell Leno to GTFO his paint with those rivets, hah!

 

[shadowfax]

That pop up headlight for working in the engine bay is too cool!

 

[Steve_In_29]

Ford marked everything possible, to include bolts with the Ford logo.

 

[Oldhippie]

Ford marked everything possible, to include bolts with the Ford logo.

yeah the early ones even had the ford script on the tailgate…rare collectable…government made them stop the advertising…

 

[ThunderFlash]

My father-in-law grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and his dad bought two of those Jeeps, one still in its crate. He also bought a surplus half track! How cool would it be driving half track around as a kid! Crating is why the windshields folded. Take wheels off and fold the windshield and the crates could be way more compact.

 

[mdainsd]

I have a '42 Ford (GPW) and a 44 Willys(MB). Been trusty favorites for decades.

And this Ford Military I enjoy quite a bit. This one a M20.

 

[Figmo]

"Ya know, if you had one of these, a couple a Hershey bars and some nylons...you were all that"

And that still holds true to this day!

 

[mkennedy009]

The true Ford Jeep is the M151, drove around in one in the 82nd before we got the HUMVEE:

WIKIPEDIA

 

[Sojourner]

Yup, the M151 series was a nice improvement. Many miles racked up in one (a M151A2). Would go anywhere and you could pretty much beat it to near death. Loved it!

 

[ThunderFlash]

The true Ford Jeep is the M151, drove around in one in the 82nd before we got the HUMVEE:

WIKIPEDIA

Crazy....did they engineer a solution to having mirrors without doors? Knowing the government, that was probably a $62.5M contract to engineer a solution and another $1B to refit the fleet.

Edit: To be fair, the MIL spec probably called for mirrors that were Hubble telescope quality and mounts that could with stand a 20mm round.

 

[userdude]

Leno is getting OLD.

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