Throwback Jeep Models
Jeep models are a timeless tale of adventure. For over 75 years, Jeeps have been linked to freedom, adventure, authenticity, and passion. Those core values have been embodied in every Jeep’s DNA. Throughout history, Jeep owners have learned that going anywhere and doing anything has been a part of every drive, not just a slogan. The Jeep badge stands for more than a brand, it’s a badge of honor.
It all started back in the 1940s with the birth of an icon. The Willys Jeep made its debut to be a hero to thousands of Allied soldiers around the world. The equally heroic civilian Jeep vehicles of the 1940s firmly established the Jeep Brand as the undisputed leader in 4×4 technology.
The first civilian Jeep (CJ) came in 1945. Not only did it allow many people to drive by vehicle but it also allowed millions of U.S. farmers to have some work relief. According to Willys-Overland, there were 5.5 million farmers in the U.S., and of these, more than 4 million had neither a truck nor a tractor. The rugged and versatile CJ-2A was marketed by Willys-Overland as “The All-Around Farm Work-Horse”. It could do the job of two heavy draft horses, operating at a speed of four miles per hour, 10 hours a day, without overheating the engine. The CJ-2A “Universal” was to serve agriculture and industry all over the world in a thousand different ways.
This laid the foundation for the mighty Jeep brand of today. Throughout the 1950s, the rise of recreational vehicles helped launch Jeep Jamborees and took the original freedom machine to new heights in sales with a portfolio of seven models.
The 1960s was the time for the Jeep Wagoneer. It had unparalleled refinement and innovation. This allowed the Jeep brand lineup to grow to 14 models for work, play, recreation, and luxuriously capable transportation.
In the 1970s, we saw the introduction of the first full-time 4×4 system. The sporty 2-door full-size Cherokee (SJ) sweeps the 4×4 of the Year awards. Jeep had six models to help elevate sales to all-time highs.
The all-new Jeep Cherokee (XJ) helped revolutionize the 4×4 market in the 1980s. These XJ Jeep models are still highly desirable today. The mighty XJ introduced many industry firsts, including the first compact 4-door SUV, first UniFrame construction, and first full-time 4×4 system with shift-on-the-fly capability.
The 1990s were wonderful to the Jeep brand. The All-New 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ) set a new industry benchmark thanks to its unique balance of on and off-road capability. The super-capable Wrangler (TJ) with its new coil suspension was introduced in 1997. In 1999 the new Grand Cherokee (WJ) was marketed as the most capable SUV ever. Sales soared to 629K units for the decade.
Even into the modern era, Jeeps are unmatched. The 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was the most capable vehicle ever to come from Jeep and the Rubicon name still soldiers on today as one of the best Jeep models you can buy today. The four-door Jeep Wrangler took the industry by storm in 2007 with capability and features that consumers could not get enough of!
Customers still can’t get enough when it comes to Jeeps! In 2016, worldwide sales reached 1.41 million which is the highest point in Jeep’s 75-year history. If you want to be a part of the legendary Jeep family, we’d love to welcome you in with a new Jeep from Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Norman, Oklahoma!
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