the origins of the jeep
The name given to the jeep has no precise origin , it seems to come from the 1930s and designates a small fantastic animal capable of becoming invisible.
Eugéne the jeep was created by EC Sugar for the King Features Syndicate Inc. and made popular in 1937 in a "Popeye" comic book, since then he becomes a lucky animal.
We could find the name of jeep on certain vehicles, prototypes or agricultural machinery during the following years and at the end of 1940 the American army owned a tractor of the same name.
While the prototypes of the companies Batam, Willys and Ford bore names such as Bug, Blitz buggy, Midget Puddle jumper or Peep, it is a testman from Willys to whom he is asked what his model is called who referred to him as the name "jeep".
The press doing the rest, this name became known to the general public.
In 1938, the American army sought to acquire a light vehicle , fast and able to navigate through any terrain, making obstacles. This role was previously insured ^ by the horse which had its limits of transport and efficiency.
The Batam company, a small firm that painfully sold small English Austin under license, was aware of the needs of the army and immediately offered to take up the challenge . Batam lives in this project a way to revive the firm and make profiles, it Prenat them before proposing to the army to lend civilian vehicles for states majors and in May 1938 the latter seduced commanded 3 roadsters Austin, d others were provided in 1939 to the Pennsylvania National Guard for field assessment . The Quatermaster Corps ultimately judged that these tests were inconclusive for military use.
Batam does not give up and at the same time the Willys firm took an interest in this project and contacted the army so the firm proposed to build a "mosquito" vehicle.
On June 19, 1940, an important meeting took place in Butler at the Batam factory, bringing together soldiers, engineers from the firm and those from the Spicer firm which manufactures the transmissions. This meeting made it possible to determine the characteristics of the future vehicle and they must be respected.
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Four-wheel drive.
Maximum wheelbase 80 inches (2,032 m).
Maximum lanes 47 inches (1.194 m).
Maximum weight 1308 pounds (590 kg).
Payload 600 pounds (272 kg).
Ground clearance 6 1/4 inches (16 cm).
Engine torque 12 mkg.
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The military decided to build 70 vehicles for testing in a record 75 days for a budget of $ 175,000. The call for tenders will be sent to 135 manufacturers likely to build this vehicle.
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To these 135 manufacturers, only 2 responded , American Batam Co and Willys Overland Inc.
Batam hired Karl KProbst engineer who designed the plans for the prototype in five days respecting the most of the criteria except the weight of 840 kg instead of 590 required when a Willys unable to obtain in time the transmission elements discussed on time and request 120 days for manufacturing instead of 75.
Batam launches production of his vehicle BRC Quater Your General Purpose Vehicle.
Equipped with a continental 4-cylinder engine of 45 bhp, it weighs 920 kg much more than the 590 kg imposed.
The windshield is in one folding piece and the hood is not provided .
The second version of the Batam the MKII has rectangular wings, the headlights are protected and a hood without a central arch. The firm launches the manufacture of 1,500 vehicles on November 14, 1940.
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A second 40 BRC version , flat hood, half recessed headlights.
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Willys, who had been excluded from the initial contract, decides to manufacture its prototype on its own funds.
Inspired by the plans of Batam, the "Quad" strongly resembles the Batam and has additional reinforcements , rectilinear wings.
The tests were not conclusive, breakages occurred, engine, side members, transfer shaft failure ... the weight of 1100 kg too important.
The military particularly appreciate the Go Devil engine with a higher power than the Batam engine.
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The industrial capacity of Ford strongly interested the government, the firm develops two prototypes named "Pigmy".
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Also inspired by the plans of the Batam, a prototype was made by Ford himself and another by the bodybuilder Budd Company Body, Ford and the army services.
Model with flat hood and integrated headlights .
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Ford will make changes such as the windshield frame made of tubular chassis .
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Ford, like Willys and Batam, won an order for 1,500 vehicles each at the end of 1940.
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Draconian testing begins for the 40 BRC Batam, the Willys Quad and the Ford Pigmy. the worst tests await these prototypes 24 hours a day. All the parts being disassembled to check for wear.
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Production began in November 1940 at the three firms, the 40 BRC in Batam, the Quad from Willys renamed the Willys MA and the Pigmy from Ford renamed the Ford GP.
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During 1941, the Quatermaster Corps declared that the Batam firm did not have the industrial capacity to provide significant production and was therefore eliminated from the market.
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Production ceased in December 1941 after the manufacture of 2605 BRCs which were used mainly in Africa and Russia. It will produce 1/4 Ton trailers for jeep and 1 Ton trailers for larger vehicles.
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In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.
Sources: - The guide Robert Séjourné and Christophe Chevalet.
- Internet.