Since we're on the topic of of nomenclature, I want to throw this out there.... Keeping in mind I am a through and through "Jeep Guy" even though it wasn't always in MV's. Keeping in mind i'm not debating just MV's here.
What makes a "Jeep" a "Jeep"?
I have continually read that the M151 line is not a "Jeep". What makes it not a "Jeep"?
Is it because of who manufactured it?
There are a few other vehicles out there that have been endowed with the title "Jeep" that have never physically had Jeep scripted into the Body. There were many other "Jeeps" that were not built by Willys, Kaiser or the Jeep Corporation that are still "Jeeps". I realize much of this was to do with the war effort and was contracted to other production lines. There are plenty of Ford "Jeeps" rolling around out there that don't even raise an eyebrow.
My 76 "Jeep" CJ-5 rolled off an assembly line owned by AMC, the same parent company that built both of my 74 M151A2's. In this case, for the A2 anyway, it was built by a company that built "Jeeps" and owned the rights to it. Had the M151 ever been sold to the public in civillian form by AMC, i'm sure it would have been under the "Jeep" product line.
I just find it entertaining how some (not speaking directly about this forum) are very emphatic about the M151A2 not being a Jeep. Other than rumour, urban legend, hearsay or the big fish story that grew, what was the legitimate reason for the M151A2 not being considered a Jeep?
If it is not because of the manufacturer, is it because of the vehicle itself?
The M151 is an open top, 2 door, 4 seater, 1/4 ton Utility Vehicle. So technically, it has all of the same characteristics as the earlier "Jeeps" including the M38A1 which was in service during the same timeframe. It does have a Uniframe and Independent Suspension, which is remarkably different than the other "Jeeps", but one could argue that can't be the sole reason for why its not a Jeep.
Another arguement could be that brand names and vehicle type may have crossed paths here. The M715 is also a "Jeep" but shares none of the characteristics of other "Jeeps" as its a 5/4ton truck, but has "Jeep" scripted into its tailgate. So if the term or title "Jeep" is not determined by its legal brand name, who has the last word as to what is and what isn't a Jeep?
I'm not trying to aggrevate anyone on here, I just find it interesting when people say that the M151 is not a Jeep. If this is in fact the case, maybe there are a few other "Jeep" platforms in the MV community that aren't "Jeeps" either.
So, someone put this to bed for me.
As a final parting shot, when I registered my M38A1 for the road, the DMV called it a 1967 Kaiser, 2 Door, Convertable, Utility Vehicle on the registration. Seems they didn't think it was a "Jeep" in the legal sense either
Scotty B