1940s WILLYS JEEP PROMOTIONAL FILM -- THE JEEP FAMILY OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES 76174

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For more information on the "Farm Jeep" visit the website www.FarmJeep.com
Willys, the “World’s Largest Manufacturer of Utility Vehicles,” presents the “Jeep Family of 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles and Special Equipment,” a circa 1954 black-and-white film promoting Jeeps produced for civilian use. Following the success of Jeeps during World War II, the film opens with an explanation of how the vehicles soon their way to civilian use. Some of the vehicles seen in this film are used by construction companies, farmers, firefighters, and even at airports to tow aircraft and move cargo trailers and plow snow. At mark 02:49 the film introduces other types of Jeep equipment, such as a generator that turns the vehicle “into a mobile source of electric power to operate saws, communication equipment, motion picture equipment, flood and spotlights. And indeed any electrical equipment that must be moved around over bad terrain or in bad weather.” Scenes also capture telephone company repair crews, oil field crews, plus local and state road crews and construction companies. A Jeep is shown at a cemetery at mark 04:03 moving sand, shrubs, and burial equipment around the grounds in addition to lifting memorial markers. The viewer learns about variable engine speeds beginning at mark 05:55 with an up-close look at an engine and a discussion of its power, as well as various ways that power can be tapped for various operations. As it continues the film touts the Jeep rotary cutter (mark 07:45) as high brush is cut down, a hammer mill (mark 08:15), and a trencher (mark 08:30). There are forklift attachments, front and rear winches, as a front winch is shown a dead tree from the ground (mark 10:10). The sales pitch rolls on at mark 11:42 showing some Jeep steel tops including the half-cab, master, and standard top - “each one designed for a special purpose but all three designed to stand up in rough hard service year after year.” Mark 12:00 begins an explanation of the vehicle’s 4-wheel drive capabilities, meaning that the vehicle “can go anywhere to do its job” including remote camping and hunting spots, while by mark 13:48 there’s a look at a Willys sedan delivery vehicle as grocery store employees are shown loading items into the back, and the Willys pick-up trick at mark 14:52. Other models are shown hauling grain and livestock, as well as an ambulance (mark 17:00).
Jeep is a brand of American automobiles that is a division of FCA US LLC (formerly Chrysler Group, LLC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The original Jeep was the prototype Bantam BRC. Willys MB Jeeps went into production in 1941 specifically for the military, arguably making them the oldest four-wheel drive mass-production vehicles now known as SUVs. The Jeep became the primary light 4-wheel-drive vehicle of the United States Army and the Allies during World War II, as well as the postwar period. The term became common worldwide in the wake of the war. The first civilian models were produced in 1945. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover. Many Jeep variants serving similar military and civilian roles have since been designed in other nations. Willys-Overland and Ford, under the direction of Charles E. Sorensen (Vice-President of Ford during World War II), produced about 640,000 Jeeps towards the war effort, which accounted for approximately 18% of all the wheeled military vehicles built in the U.S. during the war.
From 1945 onwards, Willys took its four-wheel drive vehicle to the public with its CJ (Civilian Jeep) versions, making these the first mass-produced 4x4 civilian vehicles. In 1948, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission agreed with American Bantam that the idea of creating the Jeep was originated and developed by the American Bantam in collaboration with some U.S. Army officers. The commission forbade Willys from claiming, directly or by implication, that it had created or designed the Jeep, and allowed it only to claim that it contributed to the development of the vehicle. However, American Bantam went bankrupt by 1950, and Willys was granted the "Jeep" trademark in 1950.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com

[@jgg204]

back when Jeeps were really Jeeps. now they're $35,000 vehicles with faulty electronics

[@piobmhor8529]

Had a buddy of mine who dragged an old Willy out of his dad’s barn. He bought it from Crown Assets after WW2 for the farm. It was a sadly neglected old piece of junk, that my buddy saw as a diamond in the rough. He refurbished it over a couple of years and even licensed it as an Antique Vehicle. What a beautiful marvel of engineering. What fascinated me was the brilliance in it’s simplicity. My buddy was not an engineer or scientist, just an average guy who grew up on a farm. Too bad today’s Jeeps are overpriced toys for yuppies.

[@ghostgutarist5234]

This called Time Less Design. Whoever designed the jeep should get a nobel for it.

[@huntsbychainsaw5986]

Back before the jeep became an expensive toy for offroad enthusiasts, mall crawlers, and college girls alike.

[@backtothebasics6595]

The good ol days. All a man needs is a Jeep and a Wheel Horse garden tractor, well a decent woman an good whiskey also...

[@jamesellis5549]

after looking at these I just feel all we have today is useless junk.All those implement options,a factory dump bed.

[@andrewrife6253]

God weeps when he sees modern jeeps

[@xmo552]

I know we're all Jeep people here, but alot of these attachments were also made for the Model T. The T was the Swiss army knife of its time.

[@RadioWNEW]

Great film, but its from at least 1953, not the 40's

[@what4888]

Oh, ok now i got it . Forgot at the beginning it stated clearly this was a Jeep(r) promotional film and not necessarily funded by the military and taxpayers .

[@TrailRecon]

Great film! They need to bring back some of those Jeep accessories!

[@bgarr99]

I'm still impressed and envious 70 years later

[@Ferr1963]

18:46

[@nongkringthaihomestead]

Simply fantastic!

[@microbusss]

a few of the equipment made for the Jeep would often break them in half literally!

[@carlosvitela9622]

I may not be a jeep guy but these jeeps where badass work horses on the farm, ranches and offroad.

[@zacharygraham5965]

I parked one of these in my office 3 years ago and I'm still receiving a paycheck. Thanks Willys!

[@ptbentley2000]

Wish they still made these

[@w00_die]

19:13

[@pasqualeparente9776]

I I would love to see the PTO come back as an option on a basic Jeep with a diesel engine.