Called the Willys Quad,the vehicle closely resembled the Bantam version and like it the impossible weight limit was broken.As a result a lighter version,the MA series,was developed.The army however was keen that a larger manufacturer than Bantam or Willys should tender for the contract ( something that has happened many times with military contracts ) and on November 23 rd 1940,12 days after the Quad had been delivered to Holabird,the third and final example was delivered there.This was the Ford Pygmy and,not surprisingly,it resembled the Bantam and Willys entries though under the bonnet was a Fordson tractor engine,the only suitable unit Ford had at the time,which was mated to a Model A gearbox.But whereas the two earlier entries had featured externally mounted headlamps the Pygmy's were integral with the radiator grille and when the bonnet was raised they could be hinged to shine on the engine.The Ford was designated the Model GP (General Purpose),the historic phoenetic rendering of which was the factor in the coining of the word 'Jeep'.
With a trio of designs to consider,the army authorities ordered improved versions from all the three manufacturers.In March 1941 Bantam was awarded a $1,750,000 contract for a further 1500 units of an improved version of the original model 40 BRC (1940 Bantam Reconnaissance Car ) which,like the earlier version of the vehicle was Continental-powered.
Linear Mode
