History Of The Jeep Brand
The Jeep brand has a long and storied lineage. The history started decades before World War II and the brand has seen a multitude of owners. In the section below, you will find some notable milestones of the brand's existence.
| Year |
Event |
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1950
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Willys Engineering develops a prototype vehicle known as the X-98.
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1950
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Willys develops the CJ-4 prototype. Only one of these vehicles produced. The vehicle is still in existence.
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1950
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Willys develops the CJ-4M and CJ-4MA (long-wheelbase) military prototypes. These vehicles are similar to the CJ-4 prototype but are outfitted with a snorkel, blackout lights, etc.
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1952
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The M38A1 begins production. This vehicle is designed to carry a rear-mounted 105mm or 106mm recoilless rifle.
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1952
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The Willys Aero compact car begins production.
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1953
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The BC Bobcat lightweight combat vehicle prototype is developed. This vehicle never goes into production.
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1953
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Kaiser buys Willys-Overland and changes name to Willys Motor Company.
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1953
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The CJ-3B goes into production. By 1968, over 155,494 are sold. Over 50 years later, this vehicle is still in production today, under license, by Mahindra of India.
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1954
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CJ-5 debuts at the start of its three-decade run. 603,303 units are produced over this time period.
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1954
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The M170 begins production. This vehicle is outfitted as either field ambulance or a six-man troop carrier.
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1955
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The USAF DJ is produced for non-combat maintenance and delivery work for use at US military bases.
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1955
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The CJ-6 is introduced. Based on the CJ-5, the vehicle features a wheelbase that is 20" longer. Only 50,172 units are produced.
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1955
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The DJ-3a debuts as a two-wheel drive version of the CJ-3a. This vehicle is used for postal delivery and a surrey-topped version is developed for use as a tour vehicle.
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1955
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The CJ-3B long-wheelbase vehicle begins production under license by several manufacturers around the world. This long-wheelbase vehicle is never produced in the United States.
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1956
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Production of the FC-150 truck begins.
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1957
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Production of the FC-170 truck begins.
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1958
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Production of the FC-170 DRW (dual rear wheel) truck begins.
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1959
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The M151 begins production under a joint effort of Jeep, AM General, and General Motors.
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1960
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The M606 is developed from the CJ-3B. Heavy-duty options are added to make the vehicle suitable for military use.
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1963
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Company changes name to Kaiser-Jeep Corporation.
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1963
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The J-Series Wagoneer debuts. Larger than the Willys Wagon, this vehicle is the first four wheel drive SUV featuring an automatic transmission.
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1964
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The CJ-5A and CJ-6A Tuxedo Park editions begin production.
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1965
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The Gladiator J-Series pickup debuts as a replacement for the Willys Pickup.
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1965
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Kaiser-Jeep discontinues production of Willys wagons and trucks, retiring the Willys name with the line.
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1965
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The DJ-5 replaces the DJ-3a model for use as a delivery and tour vehicle.
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