THE JEEP TURNS 80.
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https://www.foxnews.com/auto/jeep-turns-80-heres-why-july-15-is-its-anniversaryJeep turns 80: Here's why July 15 is its anniversary
American icon has endured
By Gary Gastelu | Fox News
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Jeep is celebrating its 80th anniversary today, although the brand didn't exist for a few more years.
The Willys MB contract was signed on July 15, 1941. (Jeep)
July 15, 1941 marks the day that Willys-Overland signed its contract with the U.S. War Department to begin production of the Willys MB for the military to use during World War II.
Ford also built a version of the truck, which it helped engineer, and was awarded a patent for it in 1942, but Willys-Overland and its successor companies have kept the style of vehicle in continuous production through today's Jeep Wrangler.
The 1945 CJ-2A was the first "Jeep" sold to the public. (Jeep)
Willys-Overland filed a trademark application for the name Jeep in 1943 and started selling "Civilian Jeep" CJ-2A, models in 1945, but it would be 1950 before the trademark was finally approved. The automaker has fiercely protected it through legal channels to keep it from becoming a generic term for an open-top SUV ever since.
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The 2021 Jeep Wrangler 80th Anniversary Edition celebrates the start of the compamy (Jeep)
As it has for all of its major anniversaries, Jeep is offering a lineup of limited edition 80th Anniversary versions off all of its models that feature unique trim and commemorative badging.
The brand was recently named the most patriotic of all companies in a survey of U.S. consumers.
Gary Gastelu is FoxNews.com's Automotive Editor covering the car industry and racing. Follow @foxnewsautos
