Jeep-by-Jeep: History of Jeep, and a Collection of their Iconic Cars

Jeep has passed from carmaker to automaker like a cursed idol, leaving a trail of dead firms in its wake. Let's take a look at the iconic cars that Jeep has given to us over the years.

Highlights

► Jeep, one of the world's most renowned brands recently announced an all-electric SUV, Jeep Avenger.

► Jeep has been passed from carmaker to automaker, leaving a trail of dead firms in its wake.

► Historical and Iconic Cars like Jeep CJ-2A, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Renegade, Jeep Compass and their history.

Jeep is one of the world’s most recognizable car manufacturing brands. You'll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't know what a Jeep is or can't identify a Wrangler as one, whether they'd be from Manhattan, London, rural Australia, deep in Germany's Black Forest, or from India's Hardoi. It's more than just a brand name; it's become a byword for any rugged-looking off-roader. It was easier said than done to get to this stage. Jeep has passed from carmaker to automaker like a cursed idol, leaving a trail of dead firms in its wake.

Jeep... Beginning!!

Jeep MA/MB: First Jeep for Military Purposes

Jeep was developed in response to the American Army's demand for a vehicle capable of replacing both the horse and the motorbike as a general-purpose mode of transportation. Indeed, one popular theory concerning the origin of the Jeep name contends that it is derived from GP, an acronym for general purposes. Others point to Eugene the Jeep, a Popeye comic strip character. The name stuck, no matter where it came from.

The American Bantam Car Company of Butler, Pennsylvania, created the off-roader. It began by producing licensed reproductions of British-built Austin vehicles. When the government initiated a bidding procedure for a tiny, four-wheel-drive military vehicle in 1940, the company was in financial trouble.

American Bantam improvised a prototype that outperformed the Army's design parameters. Officials were concerned about the tiny automaker's ability to produce the necessary number of vehicles, so they hired Willys-Overland and, eventually, Ford to create what became the Jeep. Ford literally attempted to stamp its own mark on the Jeep design by branding as many elements as it could with an "F" to distinguish their Jeeps from those built by Willys. Willys kept the design rights after the war and attempted to give the Jeep a civilian second life.

How it Became a Civilian Jeep?

CJ-2A Jeep

Willys transformed its military Jeep (dubbed the MB) into the CJ-2A. "CJ" stood for "Civilian Jeep," and Willys continued to produce these repurposed military vehicles for many generations over the next four decades. The CJ was later supplanted by the Wrangler, which still fills a similar role today.

Jeep Pickup: 1947-1965

Willys, on the other hand, did not stop there. It aimed to build an entire Jeep car lineup, signaling the start of Jeep's shift into an independent brand. In 1946, it introduced the long-lived Station Wagon, a pickup in 1947, and the Jeepster, a compact convertible designed to seem more like a regular vehicle. The idea of more car-like Jeeps would be revived decades later with the introduction of Jeep's first crossovers.

Jeepster: 1950

Just as the first Jeep outlasted American Bantam, the Jeep brand outlasted its parent. Willys was purchased by Kaiser in 1953, which was also responsible for another significant World War II vehicle, the Liberty Ship. Following the war, Kaiser entered the automobile industry. In 1963, it ditched the Willys moniker entirely, becoming Kaiser-Jeep. The Wagoneer, a more refined alternative to the CJ, was offered the same year. The Wagoneer, with its fully enclosed station wagon-like body, was one of the earliest forerunners of the modern family SUV.

How AMC & Chrysler came into the Picture!

Jeep Cherokee Chief: 1984

Just as the first Jeep outlasted American Bantam, the Jeep brand outlasted its parent. Willys was purchased by Kaiser in 1953, which was also responsible for another significant World War II vehicle, the Liberty Ship. Following the war, Kaiser entered the automobile industry. In 1963, it ditched the Willys moniker entirely, becoming Kaiser-Jeep. The Wagoneer, a more refined alternative to the CJ, was offered the same year. The Wagoneer, with its fully enclosed station wagon-like body, was one of the earliest forerunners of the modern family SUV.

Jeep Wagoneer: 1963-1984

Two major Jeep models were introduced in the 1980s. The first was the XJ-generation Cherokee, introduced in 1984. Jeep's first really modern SUV, the XJ, helped propel the brand even farther into the mainstream. The XJ was produced with minor modifications until 2001, when it was replaced by the Liberty.

Jeep Wrangler (YJ): 1987-1996

While Chrysler was quietly prepared to take over, Jeep was finishing up a replacement for its long-serving CJ, which had spawned a slew of modifications since its launch. The off-roader with direct ancestry to the WWII-era Willys was simply too unrefined for modern tastes, so Jeep started from over when building its successor, the original Wrangler (YJ). It was more refined than its predecessor, yet it retained its off-road capability. Users could still remove the doors, remove the top, and fold the windshield down.

The YJ appeared to be a nice package, combining the style and off-road ability of the CJ with some modern conveniences, but Jeep purists originally ignored it. They were especially critical of the YJ's square headlights, which were eventually replaced by more typical round lights in succeeding versions. As of July 2020, it will be in its fourth generation.

The boom in SUVs!!

Jeep Grand Cherokee: 1992-2004

Chrysler made a wise decision in acquiring Jeep. The 1990s witnessed a surge in interest in SUVs, and Jeep was poised to capitalize on its experience and capitalize on the public's enthusiasm. It debuted the Grand Cherokee in 1992, replacing the decades-old Grand Wagoneer. As the 1990s came to a conclusion, things began to fall apart.

Jeep Compass: 2007-Present

In 1998, Chrysler combined with Daimler AG and began to prioritize trucks and SUVs over fuel economy and overall quality. Jeep's first car-based crossovers, the Compass, and Patriot were universally derided, while the huge Commander became a white elephant after the 2008 crisis and petrol costs skyrocketed. During this time, Jeep introduced the first-generation Grand Cherokee SRT, a tremendously fast hot rod that completely ignored off-road capability in favor of on-road performance.

Jeep Patriot: 2008

During the economic downturn, one of the most hit industries in the United States has been vehicle manufacturing. As a result, Chrysler severed connections with Daimler and filed for bankruptcy. The company then went on to secure an unexpected partner in Fiat. However, the merging of the two corporations provided significant benefits to both. This new company is now known as Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). The business concluded that the moment had come to reintroduce the Cherokee as a crossover vehicle. Furthermore, they collaborated to create the Renegade, a new small vehicle. At the 2017 New York Auto Show, FCA debuted the 707-horsepower Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, startling the world with its revolutionary design while also displaying their relationship. This clever, raised Jeep captivated car enthusiasts worldwide.

Jeep Renegade: 1977- Present

Jeep discontinued production of the XJ-based Comanche pickup truck in 1992. So, when the first Jeep truck (the Gladiator) returned in 2018, Jeep fans were overjoyed. The Gladiator, based on the fourth-generation Wrangler, made its début at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. This vehicle has four doors and a variety of engines, including a turbodiesel V6. Jeep now sells about a million automobiles per year, and experts predict that this figure will continue to climb.

The Upcoming Jeep Prospects... What's Next?

Upcoming Jeep Avenger: an all-electric SUV

Jeep intends to reintroduce the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer nameplates for two SUVs based on the Ram 1500's basic architecture. Wrangler fans will be overjoyed to learn that the vehicle will receive a slew of improvements. A plug-in hybrid powertrain, for example, will allow the car to drive on electricity alone for short distances. A naturally aspirated, 6.4-liter V8 engine with 450 horsepower is also available. Jeep Avenger, all-electric SUV is also on the works. Jeep continues to keep fans on their toes. Who knows what they'll think of next?