Willys Quad Army Jeep

As the design competition for the jeep went forward in 1940, Willys created the Quad, the first ancestor of all the jeeps Willys ultimately built during WW II and afterward.

A Willys Quad prototype jeep climbs the U.S. Capitol steps in Washington, DC, February 1941. Photo: Washington Daily News
A Willys Quad prototype jeep climbs the U.S. Capitol steps in Washington, DC, February 1941. Photo: Washington Daily News article "Jeep Creeps Up Capitol Steps".

Today in WW II: 21 May 1942 Sinking of the Mexican tanker Faja de Oro by German submarine U-160, off Key West, precipitates Mexican declaration of war against Nazi Germany.   

Willys-Overland Quad Prototype Jeep

hoto of Willys Quad Jeep, delivered to the Army 13 November 1940. The bumper markings are USA QMC on the left and 1/4 4X4 QUAD on the right
Photo of Willys Quad Jeep, delivered to the Army 13 November 1940. The bumper markings are "USA QMC" on the left and "1/4 4X4 QUAD" on the right.

The full story of the development of the original Army Jeep of World War II is on the linked page. Additional photos are found in the Military Jeeps section of the Military Vehicle Charts.

Willys-Overland built five Quad jeeps as pilot models for the Army design competition in late 1940, a very successful design with much better performance than the first Bantam or Ford Pygmy pilot submissions. The Vice President of Engineering at Willys-Overland was Delmar G. "Barney" Roos. He designed the Willys Quad engine and led the production team during the intense competition with Bantam and Ford for the Army contract. Two Quads were delivered to the Army at Camp Holabird, MD, one with four-wheel steering, on 13 November 1940.

The Quad looked a lot like the Bantam BRC-60 because the Army had provided Willys with Bantam's blueprints (on the basis that the design belonged to the U.S. Government). But the Willys 60hp "Go-Devil" engine, newly designed by Roos, made it more powerful than the competitors. The Quad was also too heavy by hundreds of pounds and a redesign was required.

Reducing the weight of the Quad led to the next evolution of the jeep, the Willys MA which borrowed many features from the Bantam and Ford designs. No Quads are known to have survived and even photos are rare.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the Willys Quad at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup.

Willys Quad Specifications

Engine 134ci 4 cal L-head side valve "Go Devil"
Horsepower 60bhp @ 4000rpm (Other sources say 62-65 bhp)
Torque 105 pound-feet @ 2000 rpm
Transmission 3 speed synchromesh Warner Gear T84
Transfer case Spicer Dana 18 two speed (same as Bantam)
Gear Shift Mounted on steering column
Axles Spicer Dana 4.88:1 23-2 rear, Dana 25 front (same as Bantam)
Wheelbase 80 inches
Weight 2,423 lbs. (Other sources say 2,418 to 2,520 lbs.)

Recommended Books With More About the Willys Quad

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