Universal Jeep History

"Universal Jeep" (also "Jeep Universal") was a name used by Willys for its 1/4-ton CJ utility vehicles through much of the 1950's and 60's. It seems to have been used in advertising for the CJ-3A, CJ-3B and early CJ-5, and dropped by American Motors when they purchased Jeep from Kaiser. But it's also a handy term to use for any of the 1/4-ton open-body vehicles built from 1941 to the present, to help differentiate them from the various other vehicles that shared the Jeep name.

Pictorial History of the Universal Jeep -- the spotter's guide.
Willys Production Figures 1945-61 -- serial numbers for all models.
The Universal Jeep, 1942-1986: A Timeline -- dates of production.
Jeep Grilles 1940-2001 -- front clip variations.
Kaiser-Willys Jeep Family Tree -- Hubert Cossard's drawing.

Building Jeeps at The Parkway Plant -- pages of history, photos, and demolition.
On the Trail of Jeep History -- Toledo, Butler, and Camp Holabird.
Spring Midwest Willys Reunions -- photos of the annual event.
Civilian Jeeps, 1948-2001 -- photo taken on Labor Day, 2001.
Jeep Buyer's Guide Photo Gallery -- companion to Jim Allen's reference book.

New Universal Jeep Designs, 1949-53 -- variations of the CJ-4.
Jeep Prototypes Timeline 1948-53 -- the evolution of the CJ-3B and CJ-5.
Discovering the Lost CJ-4 -- the surviving prototype.
Jeep Designers at Work -- some oddball Jeeps that didn't get the go-ahead.
Willys Engineering Dept. Calculations -- for the CJ-3B and CJ-4.

Siblings of the CJ-3B -- other 50's and 60's models.
From Broadway to Halfmoon Valley Road -- the story of a near-mint CJ-3A.
Las Brisas: Birthplace of the Jeep Gala -- origins of the pink Jeep.
Kaiser Jeeps Made in Canada, 1959-69 -- history of the Windsor factory.
UN Jeeps in Lebanon, 1980 -- the Dutch M38A1.

Soft Tops for Willys Jeeps -- history and current options.
Rear Seats: CJ-2A through CJ-5 -- find the right seat.
Tailgate Construction, Dating and Authentication -- CJ-2A through CJ-5.
Early Civilian Jeep Taillights -- all the round taillights.
80" Wheelbase CJ Frame Progression -- flatfender frame changes 1945-1965.

Early Civilian Jeep Hardtops -- a detailed series.
Sometimes Jeep Myths Aren't So Mythic: The Case of the Jeep Steps
To Upgrade or to Restore? -- what is "truth" in restoration?
Police Service Jeeps -- from WWII to Rubicon.
Preproduction Civilian Jeeps -- DVD and book reviews.

Also on The CJ3B Page, see:

Elsewhere on the web, see highlights of the History of Willys-Overland Motors, and Jeep Heritage at Jeep.com.

The Classic Willys Mailing List at yahoo.com is a sources of answers to technical or historical questions.

Last updated 30 January 2011 by Derek Redmond redmond@queensu.ca
http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/UniversalJeeps.html
All content not credited and previously copyright, is copyright Derek Redmond

	Pictorial History of the Universal Jeep -- the spotter's guide. Willys Production Figures 1945-61 -- serial numbers for all models. The Universal Jeep, 1942-1986: A Timeline -- dates of production. Jeep Grilles 1940-2001 -- front clip variations. Kaiser-Willys Jeep Family Tree -- Hubert Cossard's drawing.
	Building Jeeps at The Parkway Plant -- pages of history, photos, and demolition. On the Trail of Jeep History -- Toledo, Butler, and Camp Holabird. Spring Midwest Willys Reunions -- photos of the annual event. Civilian Jeeps, 1948-2001 -- photo taken on Labor Day, 2001. Jeep Buyer's Guide Photo Gallery -- companion to Jim Allen's reference book.
	New Universal Jeep Designs, 1949-53 -- variations of the CJ-4. Jeep Prototypes Timeline 1948-53 -- the evolution of the CJ-3B and CJ-5. Discovering the Lost CJ-4 -- the surviving prototype. Jeep Designers at Work -- some oddball Jeeps that didn't get the go-ahead. Willys Engineering Dept. Calculations -- for the CJ-3B and CJ-4.
	Siblings of the CJ-3B -- other 50's and 60's models. From Broadway to Halfmoon Valley Road -- the story of a near-mint CJ-3A. Las Brisas: Birthplace of the Jeep Gala -- origins of the pink Jeep. Kaiser Jeeps Made in Canada, 1959-69 -- history of the Windsor factory. UN Jeeps in Lebanon, 1980 -- the Dutch M38A1.
	Soft Tops for Willys Jeeps -- history and current options. Rear Seats: CJ-2A through CJ-5 -- find the right seat. Tailgate Construction, Dating and Authentication -- CJ-2A through CJ-5. Early Civilian Jeep Taillights -- all the round taillights. 80" Wheelbase CJ Frame Progression -- flatfender frame changes 1945-1965.
	Early Civilian Jeep Hardtops -- a detailed series. Sometimes Jeep Myths Aren't So Mythic: The Case of the Jeep Steps To Upgrade or to Restore? -- what is "truth" in restoration? Police Service Jeeps -- from WWII to Rubicon. Preproduction Civilian Jeeps -- DVD and book reviews.