Guest post from Bay King Chrysler
While the origin of the Jeep name still remains a popular topic of debate, its’ record of performance is unquestioned from both testimonials from those who used it during World War II to the proud Jeep owners of today.
Bay King Chrysler has not forgotten the great legacy of the Jeep or Wrangler, as we now call it. What better way to honour this legacy than to build it into our foundation….literally. We are thrilled to announce that we have acquired an original 1943 Willys MB Jeep that is on display in the floor of our new showroom.
This incredible vehicle was built for WWII, and still boasts the original serial number and allied markings. This piece adds integrity to the dealership, and shows just how far the automobile industry has come. It acts as a reminder for where the Jeep started off, and how even though the exterior has definitely changed, the functionality and value of the vehicle has remained the same.
As you can imagine, getting the Jeep safely down there was no easy feat. First, we had to drain all of the vehicles fluids- this vehicle could not be emptier if we tipped it upside down. We then used a local towing company to bring the vehicle into the dealership, and slowly….very slowly, lower it onto a bed of rocks and rubble within our foundation. We then placed triple-paned glass over top (similar to that used for the glass floor in the CN tower), so that this beautiful piece of machinery can be admired from directly above.
The Jeep is a rugged, versatile and nearly indestructible vehicle that was originally created to withstand the heat of the battle during WWII.So what exactly was it about this boxy machine that inspired such admiration? It revolves around the design and functionality of the vehicle. The design of the Jeep can be attributed back to 3 different companies, Willys, Ford, and American Bantam. All 3 actually submitted a design conforming to specific Army specifications for a vehicle to be used in the War. Willys ended up winning the bid to produce the Jeep, however, the war department did require a large number of Jeeps to be manufactured in a short time, so Willys granted the US a non-exclusive license to allow other companies to make them (allpar.com).