Did you know Ford built Jeeps and gave it it’s iconic grill

[whiteox]

Of course, Ford has another side of the WWII story too. Make that money. Even sued the US after the war to reclaim loses from Ford factories bombed out in Germany and France.

Yes, my Great Uncle fought with Patton and told me decades ago that Ford made many parts/vehicles for the German war effort. He saw Ford plants everywhere over there. Henry was a true blue capitalist and made doe ray me where ever he could find it, politics be damned.
Tommy Bronc

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[BlueWaffle]

Ford recieving the grand cross of the German eagle in 1938, from a couple nazis.

He was the first american to recieve it.

Hitler really liked Ford, and Ford certainly held admiration for Hitlers efforts..

 

[Fordmanfrombirth]

Ford recieving the grand cross of the German eagle in 1938, from a couple nazis.

He was the first american to recieve it.

Hitler really liked Ford, and Ford certainly held admiration for Hitlers efforts..

IBM helped the Nazis

let’s not forget Time Magazine’s man of the year.

 

[KABQ]

Mahindra made CJ5s in India (with permission from Jeep) until 2010. And still sell them here in the US as a SxS. They got sued by Fiat even though the agreement wasn't violated since they aren't selling them as "motor vehicles," so Fiat had to go after the trademark of the seven bar grille (won) and flat top fenders (lost).

They certainly made some big changes and improvements over the CJ5, but the body is essentially visually unchanged.

 

[Taltyman]

Yes most of know. Why does it surprise you? A lot of people made "jeeps" during WWII. I have a rifle from WWII that was made by a jukebox company.

When I had my gun store I had one made by the typewriter company Smith Corona, wish I had kept it.

 

[bravely]

I was surprised the Ford was asked to help produce the Willy’s Jeep in WWII.


Enjoy with your Jeep buddies. Love it, but don‘t put ducks on your dash please.

My Army days "jeep" was a Ford

 

[Broncotrax]

I believe the oldest surviving example of any of these former GPW builders is a Ford.

 

[jmadsen]

Here is my 45 Ford GPW. My Grandfather purchased it in the late 60's its been modified in unfortunate ways back in the 70's 80's by family members. my uncle gave it to us in mid 80's. He drove it from St George Utah to Custer South Dakota.
I learned to drive in this jeep in the late 80's early 90's. I remember one winter in South Dakota it was our only running vehicle for a couple weeks in the middle of winter, that was fun. no heater; not that it would have helped much
my mom gave it to me in 97 after she moved to Cortez Colorado and I drove it home to Salt lake. rebuilt the transmission, painted it back to original color. drove it occasionaly for 16 years or so , then stored from not running great and engine froze up. rebuilt the engine a few years ago and now back in action again. my kids now 18 and 20 have been able to enjoy driving it a bit over the last few years. the still needs some love though.

Also found myself another project I dont need, a 45 MB that hasnt been butchered up, just needs re assembled (restoration)

 

[Donkeygyrl]

The greatest generation.

 

[Fordmanfrombirth]

Thank you for sharing the great story and wonderful photos. You are indeed blessed to have this gem kept in the family!

 

[Bmadda]

Ford produced B-24 bombers as well as Sherman tanks...built a huge assortment of war materials as one of the major manufacturers of "the sleeping giant". I believe "old man" Henry's admiration of the Nazis in thier early days is of public record...which he recanted, when war was imminent. Hard to imagine a time when we Americans all pull together? Post war IIRC there was a "derby" of sorts as to which manufacturer would retain the rights to manufacture a "civilian Jeep" (CJ). Willys Overland won the derby, as it was decided that Jeep production was essential to thier existence as a company. The rest, as they say, is history!

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