Proto-Jeep: 1940 Ford GP-No. 1 Pygmy added to National Historic Vehicle Reg

[tuolumnejim]

I honestly thought that all the prototypes would have been sent to the scrap pile during the war years.

Link

In 1940, well before Pearl Harbor, the United States Army was on the hunt for a versatile multipurpose light vehicle. A number of automakers built prototypes in an effort to win a sweet production contract, and this proto-Jeep — Ford GP-No. 1 Pygmy, aka Numero Uno (OK, we just made that up) — was one of them. It has just been added to the National Historic Vehicle Register in recognition of its significant contributions to automotive history, to say nothing of its role in the Allied war effort.

Of the three hand-built contenders to be tested (the first prototype was supplied by American Bantam and another by Willys-Overland), this is the only survivor. So it’s amazing that it exists at all, let alone in this highly original state. And with just 1,100 miles on its odometer (a fancy art deco job apparently pulled from the Ford parts bin), it looks great — right down to the “No 1 JEEP” painted on its flank.