Although there have been many Jeep books, this is the first complete history of the Willys-Overland passenger cars, civilian trucks (as well as civilian and military Jeeps) along with the corporation's history. Illustrated with rare and unusual factory photos and period ads, the Willys-Overland saga begins in 1903 when the Standard Wheel Company began making Overland cars. Soon after, auto dealer John North Willys was forced by circumstances to rescue the failing Overland company. By 1916 Willys had become the second-best selling car in the world. Prospering in the '20s but then bankrupt a decade later, the firm crawled back from the edge in time to win the all-important Jeep contract that ensured Willys would survive. Even after Kaiser Motors bought Willys in 1953 its products were still branded Willys until 1963 when the name was phased out. The final new Willys Jeep introduced - the Wagoneer - became a legend in its own right. Also covered are the pre-war coupes modified into high-powered racers.

An American classic! This new book is a detailed, highly illustrated look at the legendary World War II era Jeep. Detailed text discusses Jeep planning, development and production, then moves into its World War II variants, specialized equipment, accessories and use by other Allied forces. Nearly 200 high-quality color and war-era photos show the Jeep in its many functions. Up-close, detailed images show the differences between variant types. This book is a concise reference for the Jeep enthusiast, historian and restorer.

DIVThe definitive, fully illustrated celebration of an auto manufacturer that paved its own way by going off-road./divDIV /divDIVFew American vehicles, or vehicles made anywhere else in the world for that matter, are as universally iconic as the Jeep. From olive drab WWII military relics to the beloved Wrangler with its rear-mounted spare tire, open-air design, and telltale roll cage, the Jeep is a true classic. In Jeep: The History of America’s Greatest Vehicle, automotive writer Patrick R. Foster chronicles over 70 years of Jeep vehicle design and production. Beginning with the Jeep as a crucial component of the American World War II fleet, Foster expertly recounts the corporate shifts, financial struggles and successes, close calls, and—above all—the enduring machines that have carried Jeep from the early 1940s to its triumphant role as a modern-day embodiment of American perseverance. Three hundred color and black-and-white historical photos complement his expertly written narrative of Jeep’s entire history, reminding us that sometimes, the road less traveled was just waiting for the right truck./div

This volume presents a cross-section of the most common transport vehicles produced and used by the German army. Tanks plus auxiliary vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, vans, ambulances, trucks and tractors made it possible for the troops to keep moving. These lightly armored or unarmored vehicles--aka "soft skins"--operated behind the front lines, maintaining supply lines, connecting armies with their home bases, and ultimately determining the outcome of battle. Beginning with the development of military vehicles in the early 1930s, this volume discusses the ways in which this new technology influenced and, to some extent, facilitated Hitler's program of rearmament. Nomenclature, standard equipment, camouflage and the combat roles of the various vehicles are thoroughly examined. Individual vehicle types are arranged and discussed by the following classifications: cars and motorcycles; trucks and tractors; half-tracks and wheeled combat vehicles. Accompanied by well-researched, detailed line drawings, each section deals with a number of individual vehicles, describing their design, manufacture and specific use.

The jeep was the most famous military vehicle of World War II, and its name has become synonymous with a whole class of military and civilian all-terrain vehicles. The jeep originated in a prewar US Army requirement for a simple, inexpensive, and robust vehicle for basic utility chores. Its simple design proved to be adaptable to a host of military tasks including use as a scout vehicle, battlefield ambulance, communications vehicle, and staff car. This book, covering “the savior of World War II”, focuses on the design and development of this versatile vehicle used on nearly every front of World War II.