Everywhere you go, you are bound to see a Jeep vehicles on the road at some point, given their popularity and hard-to-miss exterior features. A major reason why Jeep Wranglers are so desirable is because of the modifications you can make, such as going with a hardtop, soft top, or no top at all. If you recently became a Jeep owner or are aspiring to become one someday, there some things you might not know that make the vehicle even better. Keep reading to discover some cool facts you didn’t know about Jeep.
The First Jeep Was Designed in 75 Days for War
When the U.S. Military was looking for a lightweight vehicle during World War II in 1940, Bantam, Willys, and Ford all responded to the call and each designed a war vehicle quickly. The design for Willy’s “Quad” was eventually heralded as the winner and the iconic blueprint for future vehicles was designed in just 75 days. The Jeep was eventually turned into a vehicle for civilians later on in the 40s, but its legacy began on the battlefield.
How the Jeep Name Came to Be Remains A Mystery
There are few vehicle names more well-known than the Jeep, but the origins of the name remain a mystery to this day. The initial Jeep vehicle was called the “Quad” for its 4×4 system that could handle off-road terrain with later models called the Willys MB and MA.
Some believe the Jeep name derives from GP, which stands for general-purpose vehicle, while others think it comes from the Popeye character, Eugene the Jeep. Some also believe the term Jeep was coined as military slang during World War II. There’s also a popular theory that Jeep stands for Just Enough Essential Parts. To this day, how Jeep earned its name is still murky, but it’s stuck ever since.
Jeep is A Part of Fiat-Chrysler
Because of how popular Jeep is, many believe that the American vehicle is its own company. However, Jeep has had many owners in the past since it was first created by Willys-Overland. Today, Jeep is owned by Chrysler, but due to a recent merger with the Italian automobile manufacturer Fiat, Jeep now falls under the Fiat-Chrysler umbrella.
Ford Is Responsible for the Iconic Grille
One of the most distinctive Jeep features is the grille stationed at the front of the vehicle, but it was a contribution from Ford first. The design of Ford’s war vehicle was known as the “Pygmy” and featured the flat front grille first, but has since become a staple of a Jeep vehicle. Today, a Jeep grille can be replaced with several cool designs to choose from while still maintaining its recognizable shape.
A 1996 Jeep Wrangler Doesn’t Exist
Another cool fact you didn’t know about Jeep is that a 1996 version of the Wrangler is hard to find, namely because it doesn’t exist. From 1987 to 1995, Jeep Wrangler models featured square headlights instead of the rounded ones we’ve come to know. However, the Jeep Wrangler eventually returned to its round headlight routes with the TJ, which arrived in 1997. So, no 1996 Jeep Wrangler model was ever made.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
