Jeep - From Bantam To Wrangler

There are vehicles designed for respectable journeys along smooth roads, vehicles intended to impress the neighbours, and vehicles whose designers apparently assumed that roads might not exist at all. The Jeep belongs firmly to the last category, a wonderfully uncompromising American invention that began life as a military necessity and somehow became a global symbol of freedom, adventure and the pleasure of getting thoroughly stuck somewhere inaccessible.

In Jeep – From Bantam to Wrangler (2000), Bill Munro traces the remarkable history of one of the world’s most recognisable motor vehicles. Published by Crowood, this fascinating account follows the Jeep from its hurried development during the Second World War to its evolution into the civilian off-road machines that continue to inspire extraordinary loyalty among enthusiasts.

The story begins in 1940, when the American military required a lightweight, versatile reconnaissance vehicle capable of surviving the considerable inconveniences of modern warfare. The American Bantam company helped pioneer the original design, while Willys-Overland and Ford subsequently became central to its production. The resulting Jeep was compact, rugged and astonishingly capable, possessing all the refinement of an agricultural implement but considerably greater enthusiasm for climbing hills.

During the Second World War, the Jeep became indispensable to Allied forces, carrying soldiers, equipment, supplies and occasionally senior officers who would probably have preferred something with more comfortable upholstery. It served as transport, ambulance, communications vehicle and general-purpose mechanical workhorse, establishing a reputation for versatility that few military machines have ever matched.

Following the war, the Jeep made the unlikely transition from battlefield equipment to civilian transport. Farmers, explorers, outdoor enthusiasts and people living in places where conventional roads were more of an aspiration than a reality discovered that its formidable off-road abilities remained extremely useful.

Munro charts the development of the Jeep through successive generations, from the utilitarian civilian CJ models to the increasingly sophisticated Wrangler. Along the way, the vehicle acquired more comfortable seating, improved engines and a growing collection of conveniences that might have astonished its original military designers. Nevertheless, the distinctive grille, upright appearance and stubborn determination to conquer difficult terrain remained central to its identity.

Naturally, Jeep ownership has always attracted a particular sort of enthusiast: someone who regards a muddy hillside not as an obstacle but as an invitation, and who considers spending an entire weekend recovering a vehicle from a swamp to be a thoroughly enjoyable recreational activity.

Condition: Very Good. This is a previously owned copy dating from 2000, displaying only modest signs of age and handling. Unlike a hardworking wartime Jeep, it should require no replacement transmission, extensive welding or careful investigation into seventy years of improvised mechanical repairs.

Published by Crowood in 2000. ISBN: 9781861263193.

Offered by Crappy Old Books, where we appreciate vehicles designed to go almost anywhere, particularly when their history can be enjoyed without acquiring a tow rope, recovery winch or a comprehensive collection of waterproof clothing.

An excellent addition to any collection of military vehicle history, American automotive engineering or classic four-wheel-drive literature. Particularly recommended for Jeep enthusiasts and anyone who admires a machine capable of crossing deserts, climbing mountains and surviving wars, yet now frequently employed on the equally demanding expedition to the local supermarket.

Keep browsing: See more Transport books Other books by Bill Munro