Custom Motorcycle Driveline

Jeep's 70 years of history propel it into future

It was July 1940 when the United States military put out word that it was looking for a new workhorse to replace the modified Ford Model Ts and motorcycles still being used by the U.S. Army.

The new "light reconnaissance vehicle" had to meet very specific requirements:

-It had to be able to carry 600 pounds and weigh less than 1,300 pounds, although the Army later revised this to 2,150 pounds.

-Its wheelbase - the centerpoint of the front tire to the centerpoint of the rear tire - had to measure less than 75 inches.

-It must be less than 36 inches tall.

-The driveline must be smooth running up to 50 mph and possess four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case.

-The body must be rectangular-shaped, have a fold-down windshield and be furnished with three bucket seats and blackout and driving lights.

Of the 135 manufacturers asked to bid on the project, three responded: Willys-Overland of Toledo, Ohio; American Bantam of Butler, Pa.; and Ford Motor Co. from Detroit.

Each company produced prototypes, with Bantam building its vehicle within a remarkable 49 days. The company, a spin-off of American Austin, already built diminutive cars and trucks, so adapting them to Army specs was easy.

In a move that could be termed "dirty pool," the government turned over Bantam's blueprints to Willys and Ford to aid their prototype development.

So it's no surprise that Willys-Overland's Quad and Ford's Model GP (also known as the Pygmy, it was powered by a Ford/Ferguson tractor engine) looked a lot like the Bantam.

With prototypes delivered to the Army in the summer of 1940, each company received approval to build 70 sample vehicles, which were delivered to the Army in November. Four months later, the Army requested another 1,500 from each auto manufacturer.

Ultimately, the Army selected the Willys Quad, and named Willys the primary manufacturer, although Ford also built them under license. American Bantam, having built 2,643 Jeeps, was deemed too small to produce a significant number of Jeeps.

Instead, they produced the Jeep's trailers used by Willys and Ford Jeeps.

Of course, the vehicle wasn't known as the Jeep. The Willys Quad became the MA, and later the MB; only later it was it named Jeep.

Two theories have emerged, neither proven. Some claim that the name came from the slurring of the letters "GP," the military abbreviation for "General Purpose." Others say the vehicle was named for a popular character in the "Popeye" comic strip named "Eugene the Jeep," who possessed magical abilities.

Gypsy Biker Bed Rolls at Cyril Huze Blog – Custom Motorcycle News

Riding to Sturgis? Don is an old school biker dude who makes a kickass bedroll called the Gypsy Biker Bedroll , which has seen the most hardcore mofos through long road trips. Don often tells people that the Gypsy Biker Bedroll is “a little past comfortable…

According to Don, his Bed Rolls are not made for the rider who has an itinerary and hotel reservations. The Gypsy Biker Bedroll is made for the dude who is following the wind and living the life. ” He has no tent. He has no sleeping bag.He and the wind somewhere, a cold beer waiting to be turned into piss ...

Don looked waterproof protection and settled on a 10 oz cotton canvas. He folded the sheet in half and set the bottom and half on one side with copper rivets hand-driven. For the rest aside, he snaps attached to the money close. He found a couple of Mexican-style blankets and placed inside the folded tarp. Coiled, sleeping bag Gypsy Biker is about 8 "in diameter and 24" long. When held, a sleeping bag is 4 'by 6'. That’s enough room to get the rest of your gear inside in case it rains. Some Sturgis travelers might find this useful! I am Don Wood . (thanks J.

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