American armored jeep Willys MB COBI 2296 - World War II 1:35

You know that:

• In 1941, 3 companies, American Bantam, Willys-Overlan and Ford Motors, competed for a government contract for the US Army.
• The competition was eventually won by Willys Overland Motors Ltd. as they offered a price of only $739 and thus began the glorious era of the Jeep.
• The car's designer was Karl Probst, who came up with the basic concept and design in two days.
• Willys was able to begin mass production on the 73rd day after the project was approved. Such flexibility is unthinkable in today's automotive industry.
• While Willys was supplying cars to the US Army, American Bantam and Ford were receiving orders from the Soviet Union and Great Britain.
• The demand for off-road vehicles was so great that Willys' capacity was insufficient even after repeated increases, so some production was transferred to Ford's factories under the Ford GPW brand.
• The car's headlights could be swiveled towards the engine compartment for repairs.
• President Eisenhower once said , "it is one of the three weapons that decided the war in favor of the U.S."
• In total, over 647,925 were produced in various versions.
• The United States delivered more than 75,000 vehicles to the Soviet Union.

Technical parameters:

• length 3.36 m, width 1.57 m, height with roof 1.77 m
• weight 1 050 kg
• power unit 4-cylinder petrol engine Willys L134 GO DEVIL with 45 kW
• number of gears 3 forward and 1 reverse + reduction
• fuel tank capacity 68 l
• range 480 km
• fuel consumption 14,1 l/100 km
• speed 105 km/h 
• wading distance 0.53 m
• number of seats 1 + 1
• number of seats for patient transport 1-2
• main weapon 12.7 mm Browning M2HB machine gun

From the memoirs of Sergeant John Smith:

"Willys was my best friend at the front. He could get me anywhere, and he never let me down. Riding in him was exciting and liberating."