Why the Ford Jeep is the Greatest Vehicle Ever Made -- Jay Leno's Garage

[JoKer]

Jay Leno takes a deep dive into the "original dune buggy"—his authentic 1942 Ford GPW. While many associate the Jeep solely with Willys, Jay explains the fascinating history of how Henry Ford, a noted pacifist, was tapped by the government to mass-produce this legendary 4x4 using the Willys patent.

In this episode, Jay discusses:

The Ford-Willys Collaboration: How Ford’s manufacturing genius allowed them to stamp out grilles and bodies to meet the government’s desperate need for speed.

The "$100 Jeep" Legend: Jay recalls the famous ads in the back of Mechanics Illustrated where veterans could buy surplus Jeeps still packed in original Cosmoline for just a hundred bucks.

Battlefield Engineering: A look at the "bulletproof" 134 cubic inch flathead motor, the blackout lights for nighttime convoys, and the brilliant folding headlights that double as work lights for repairs in the field.

Off-Road Prowess: Why this 2,400-lb vehicle feels more at home on the dirt than on the bad roads of Los Angeles.

A Veteran’s Legacy: Jay shares a personal story about Senator Bob Dole and reflects on the brave soldiers who protected the world in these simple, mechanical machines.

Whether you call it a GPW or a Jeep, this 1942 Ford is a classic example of American ingenuity that helped win WWII.

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[bill61]

Said the dead Pinto owner.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Very cool!!

 

[bill61]

I will give them this. Back then vehicles were made to last.

 

[johnchabin]

I had a 47 Willy’s CJ2A for years. I’m not sure how he fits in that Jeep… he’s a tall guy.

 

[Mud Pie]

I should save this video for when the next newbie Jeep owner says my Willys grill tat "has too many slots, there should be 7, you screwed up" and lets out an unknowing chuckle... I just slowly shake my head and say, "Wrong....."

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

I will give them this. Back then vehicles were made to last.

Naw, that's just nostalgia. If they were made to last we'd still see them, most have rusted into oblivion. Remaining classics are still around because of an owner who has a desire to spend a lot of time and money keeping them around.

Vintage tools - absolutely, vintage vehicles - not so much. Vintage tractors. . . .maybe?

 

[Lost1wing]

I picked up one of these because it reminded me of the old WWII era Jeeps. Mahindra was contracted to help build Jeeps back then. Several years ago, Mahindra started to produce the Roxor using a lot of the old blueprints. FCA got involved and put an end to the use of the slotted style grill. This is what it ended up looking like.

I

 

[Mr Miami]

I had a 47 Willy’s CJ2A for years. I’m not sure how he fits in that Jeep… he’s a tall guy.

Yea, a good friend of mine bought a CJ7 back in the 70's when we went to the dealer and realized the CJ5's were simply too small to crawl into. And we had just graduated from high school, not nearly the size of what we are today.

 

[Lunentucker]

I just came here to post this, but I see I'm late to the party.

 

[Janster]

Thank you for sharing!! That was awesome!

I’m amazed at how fast he was going in that thing…... and him talking about the brakes - I wonder how hard he had to press to get them to work? It seemed like they worked pretty good.

Of course people are going to wave…. You’re Jay Leno!!! Maybe it’s a normal ‘thing’ in California to see Jay Leno pull up beside you. I’d love to see him over here on the East coast!!

 

[Janster]

OK..So, school me a bit…..

I’ve heard so many people say (or online) that “You can’t get an original military Jeep because they cut them all in half”…. Is that BS? Or was there a previous generation that they didn’t want any consumers to have?

 

[Lunentucker]

The California bubble economy

 

[Mud Pie]

OK..So, school me a bit…..

I’ve heard so many people say (or online) that “You can’t get an original military Jeep because they cut them all in half”…. Is that BS? Or was there a previous generation that they didn’t want any consumers to have?

That was for the "Mutts", the M151 series Jeeps. I had those in 1979 when I was in the Corps, except we had the M151-A2 series. The original 151's (Viet Nam) were famous for roll-overs, the then-new independent suspension let them puppies flip over like crazy. Most 151's were cut in half before they were surplus out. The M151-A1 and A2's...not so much.

But still with the A2's, you didn't take turns at speed without sucking air between clenched teeth....

 

[NC_Overland]

Jay Leno is great and a very knowledgeable car guy. It kinda surprised me how much he didn’t know or misspoke about with that Jeep.

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