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1940 Willy’s MB/ Ford GPW — Volkswagen Kubelwagen

8 Май 2015 | Author: dima | Комментарии отключены

1940 Willy’s MB/ Ford GPW

History

Even though the had seen widespread mechanisation of the during World War I and the United Army had already used four-wheel in it, supplied by the Four Wheel Auto Co. (FWD), by the time War II was dawning, the United States of War were still seeking a cross-country reconnaissance vehicle.

As tensions were heightening the world in the late 1930s, the Army asked American manufacturers to tender suggestions to its existing, aging light vehicles, mostly motorcycles and but also some Ford T’s ] This resulted in several being presented to army such as five Marmon-Herrington 4×4 in 1937, and three Austin by American Bantam in 1938 1993). However, the U.S. requirements were not formalized July 11, 1940, when 135 automotive manufacturers were to submit a design conforming to the specifications for a vehicle the World War II manual TM 9-803 described as general purpose, personnel, or carrier especially adaptable for or command, and designated as 1/4-ton 4×4

Marmon-Herrington converted Ford 1/2 ton sometimes called the “Grandfather of the

By now the war was under way in Europe, so the Army’s was urgent and demanding ] . Bids to be received by July 22, a span of eleven days. Manufacturers given 49 days to submit first prototype and 75 days for of 70 test vehicles. The Army’s Technical Committee specifications equally demanding: the vehicle be four-wheel drive, have a of three on a wheelbase of no more 75 (later 80) inches

and tracks no more than feature a fold-down windshield, payload and be powered by an engine of 85 ft·lb (115 N·m) of The most daunting demand, was an empty weight of no more 1,300 lb (590 kg).

Only two companies entered: Bantam Car Company and Willys-Overland Though Willys-Overland was the low bidder, received the bid, being the company committing to deliver a model in 49 days and production in 75. Under the leadership of designer Probst, Bantam built first prototype, dubbed the Buggy” (and in retrospect Number One”), and delivered it to the vehicle test center at Holabird, Maryland on September 23, This presented Army with the first of what evolved into the World War II Army Jeeps: the Willys MB and GPW .