The origin of "Jeep"

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

As I understand it, the pressed metal jeep grill was designed and first manufactured by Ford, the design/production rights later sold to Willys.


Mike

Ah I see.

Post 1945 Willys didn't return to making sedans until 1952 with the Aero model. You would think that Willys would have had been given a huge impetus with the sole ownership of the "Jeep" brand but they were taken over by Kaiser in 1953, then changed again to AMC ownership in 1970. The 1950's Aero model Willys car package was was sold to Brazil and built in Brazil between 1960 and 1971 !