The Jeep legend began in November 1940, in the early days of World War II, just a year before the United States entered the war. A small, four-wheel-drive prototype, the Willys "Quad", was delivered to the US Army. The Quad was the father of the MB, CJ series, and Wrangler. Willys refined the Quad and built 1,500 units of the Willys MA model, many of which were used in WWII. Our 1940 Jeep Willys Quad model is handmade out of iron. It features many intricate exterior parts such as fenders, convertible top, wheels, grills, headlights, spare tires, and a U.S. Army decal hood. For the interior, it includes seats, steering wheel, stick shift, and small details on dash. Only two of these Willys Quad prototypes were made. A must-have for the collector and enthusiast!
In June 1940, with World War II on the horizon, the U.S. Army solicited bids from 135 automakers for a 1/4 ton "light reconnaissance vehicle" tailored to Army specifications. Only three companies responded - Bantam, Willys, and Ford - but, within a year's time they collectively produced the template for the vehicle known worldwide as the "jeep." The first Willys MB Jeeps were produced in 1941, making it the oldest off-road vehicle ever made, and the first civilian models were produced in 1945. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second oldest 4-wheel-drive brand. Many Jeep variants serving similar military and civilian roles have since been created in other nations.
