The origin of "Jeep"
 

Many theories

Jeep?
 

I thought that Jeep was derived from GP for general purpose vehicle. I had heard about Eugene the Jeep from Popeye cartoons also.

Jeep - Just Enough Essential Parts

Meaning of GP
 

Paul,

I think you will find that GP was the Ford code for:
G = Government
P = 80 inch wheel base


There is a copy of a US Army document with the Ford ID list & explanation that supports the meaning of 'GP' in Cowdrey' All American Wonder, Vol 1, p 23.



Of course, that does not provide any explanation of the origin of the popular name 'jeep'.


Mike

Once you figure out the origin of the word 'Jeep' with respect to that little American car (many have tried but I don't think it's been pinned down yet), work on the origin of 'OK'.

That or Just Empty Every Pocket for a first time restoration...............actually in this day and age a Jeep restoration is a snap (and not all that expensive to do).

Trademark
 

During WW2, there was some dispute over the "Jeep" trademark too. Bantam and Minneapolis Moline put up a case but Willys ignored the findings of a 1943 Commission and continued to advertise using "Jeep" as their own brand, even being reprimanded for doing so. Willys copyrighted the word "Jeep" in 1945 and were awarded the Trademark officially in 1950. To confuse matters, the Comic book character "Eugene the Jeep" was also given a trademark in 1936.

Also, some dispute arose over the iconic Jeep grill shape , I think Ford claimed it as their own design feature at one time.

As I understand it, the pressed metal jeep grill was designed and first manufactured by Ford, the design/production rights later sold to Willys.


Mike

Cars
 

Ah I see.

Post 1945 Willys didn't return to making sedans until 1952 with the Aero model. You would think that Willys would have had been given a huge impetus with the sole ownership of the "Jeep" brand but they were taken over by Kaiser in 1953, then changed again to AMC ownership in 1970. The 1950's Aero model Willys car package was was sold to Brazil and built in Brazil between 1960 and 1971 !

To complicate things further, there was also a class of small aircraft carrier in WW 2 called a "Jeep"

And the term is still used for a dolly used to support a heavy trailer.

I wasn't there, but I've also herd it alleged that in WW 2, the word was army slang for any small, insignificant piece of equipment, or a new recruit.

more
 

Hmmm

"Willys-Overland civilian engineers collaborated with U.S. military experts in producing ' the fighting Jeep"

Not a word about Bantam in this 1942 Australian advert

Nor Ford ...


Mike

Ireland
 

At least the Irish stopped the patent

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...earchTerm=Jeep

more
 

Adelaide advert

Jeep
 

Seems that advertisers had jumped onto the " Jeep" bandwagon as these 1945 adverts show

O.K. let's shift a little bit. I understand the T214 Dodge WC was referred to as "Beep" (big jeep) Comments gentlemen? (staying away from "Blitz buggies)
On Jeep grills. I am of the same understanding as Mike, That Ford built the first pressed grills and that all previous Jeeps had "slat" grills. Also the first batch of Fords were built on Willys chassis. So If you like the first pressed grills were fitted on Willys chassis, but were Fords. Clear?

more
 

Yes , Dodge were also referred to as "Jeeps" , but from what I found in the newspaper reports they were the 1/2 Ton models. 3/4 Ton model Dodge "Beep" yep that is true.

Jeep stories

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...earchTerm=Jeep

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...earchTerm=Jeep

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...earchTerm=Jeep

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...earchTerm=Jeep

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/a...earchTerm=Jeep

Big news in Echuca, a Jeep passed through the town in June 42
Attachment 120643


LHD rules
Attachment 120665


Attachment 120689