Bantam BRC-40 Jeep

The full story of the development of the original Army Jeep of World War II is on the linked page. See the Bantam BRC-40 page for more details on this prototype jeep. See also the photos of the Checker-built Bantam BRC-40 jeeps.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the Bantam BRC-40 jeep at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup:

Bantam BRC-40 built by Checker Cab, photographed at Camp Holabird, MD, 11 June 1941. The Checker built units had four wheel steering.

Bantam BRC-40 jeep in a cargo net as it is loaded onto a ship for transportation to the war zone. This image is a frame grab from the short film Autobiography of a Jeep made in 1943 by the Office of War Information (OWI).

Bantam BRC-40 prototype jeep in tests, Ft. Benning, GA, 2 May 1941. Original caption: Blitz Buggy Scales a Hill -- The Army's tiny midget cars are called upon are called upon constantly to travel over rough terrain, and this little Blitz Buggy is no exception as it climbs over a steep hill in a routine exercise. The heavily treaded tires help it get over the rough spots.

Bantam BRC-40 prototype jeep demonstration on rough terrain, Fort Myer, VA, 21 April 1941.

Britain's King George VI inspects a Bantam BRC-40 prototype jeep, with machine gun installed and Sten gun on the hood, circa early 1940s. Markings appear to be British, not U.S.

Original nomenclature: Car, Bantam, 1/4 Ton, 4x4 Light Reconnaissance. This BRC-40 was photographed during Army testing, 5 May 1941.

Bantam BRC-60 Jeep in Photos

Bantam BRC40 4x4 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle.

Bantam BRC-40 with 4 wheel steering.

Bantam BRC-40 undergoing Army testing towing unidentified trailer.

Bantam BRC-40 with .50 cal. anti-aircraft machine gun, Ft. Riley, KS. From Field Artillery Magazine, June 1941.

Loading a Bantam BRC-40 onto a ship, USMC, New River, NC, 1941.

Bantam BRC-40 with DR-5 drum mounted on RL-31 frame attached. The DR-5 drum carries two miles of W-130; Five miles can be carried. Photo: Field Artillery Journal, July 1941.