The origin of "Jeep"

[Mike Kelly]

Many theories

[Paul Singleton]

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

[maple_leaf_eh]

Jeep - Just Enough Essential Parts

[Mike Cecil]

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

[James P]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Jeep - Just Enough Essential Parts

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).

[Mike Kelly]

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.

[Mike Cecil]

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

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

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'.