Jeep honors 75th anniversary of Willys MB with 75th Salute concept vehicle
Darn shame Jeep isn't making a few of these for the general public.
Man, Jeep knows how to throw a party. It's been celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Jeep Wrangler, which started life as a military vehicle, the Willys MB. Now, it's built a concept that includes some rugged throwback elements, and it's left me wondering how I can buy a concept that won't be made available to the public.
The underpinnings are quite modern. It's based on the Wrangler Sport, so it features a 3.6-liter V-6 engine, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. It's sporting a set of 16-inch steel wheels and 32-inch, non-directional military tires. There's also a rear-mounted spare tire, steel bumpers and tow hooks.
The most notable changes, though, are the missing B-pillars and doors. The low-back canvas seats are solid throwbacks, as well. It's all draped in an olive drab paint job with commemorative badges, because what Jeep product isn't complete without superfluous badging?
Sadly, they're not making these for the general public. Then again, if you're really hell-bent on a military-spec Jeep, why not head to the classifieds and pick up a bona fide Willys? Sure, it's going to rattle your spine to pieces, but what's the fun of living in the past if you're not actually living in the past?
