Military Classic Reloaded: The Jeep ‘GEIGER-Willys’ Limited Edition
Only a few cars manage to remain largely unchanged -
at least visually - long enough to become living classics. One such
vehicle is the Jeep Wrangler whose roots go back to the Willys Jeep that
was born during the Second World War.
In 1940, the US Army commissioned the development of a
small, rugged off-road military vehicle that could be built quickly and
cheaply. Built between 1942 and 1945, the Willys MB’s General-Purpose
or G-P designation was soon phonetically shortened to ‘Jeep’, a name
destined to become a household word.
However, this was only the beginning of a long and
impressive success story, and post-war the Jeep was continuously
developed for both military and civilian roles where foresters, farmers
and adventurous individuals alike also came to rely on its rugged
simplicity and good off-road ability. Prior to 1987 the civilian designs
were sold under the Jeep CJ name, with the first Jeep Wrangler
replacing it after that.
Based on the third generation Jeep Wrangler, whose
successor has just been announced, US car specialists, GeigerCars.de now
offer a unique limited edition series that takes its styling cues from
the original WW2 era Willys MB.
• 3.6-litre, 284 hp Pentastar V6 with 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.
• Period look of the original Willys Jeep with special olive drab paintwork.
• Exclusive limited edition series of only 10 copies.
For their Jeep “GEIGER-Willys” Limited Edition, Karl
Geiger and his team choose the US version of the classic, two-door
Wrangler, which comes with either a six-speed manual or automatic
transmission linked to its 284 hp / 209 kW 3.6-litre Pentastar petrol
V6.
Since the focus of this vehicle is the replication of
the original Willys Jeep image, the engine is untouched, the only
mechanical upgrade being an exhaust system with sound flap control.
However, to achieve the authentic WW2 US Army Willys
Jeep look, the Wrangler has to be completely disassembled for a bare
metal re-spray in olive drab paint, to which accurate reproductions of
period US Army logos and lettering are applied.
Serious off-roader will appreciate the robust Rugged
Ridge bumpers, the front unit sporting an integrated motorised winch. A
reinforced spare wheel carrier at the rear holds the 17-inch steel spare
wheel shod with a 265/70R17 all-terrain tyres just like the others.
This, and the green fabric top add to the WW2 period look of the
vehicle.
Last but not least, the interior has also been given a
makeover to replicate the Willys MB look, with seats covered with olive
green fabric. Only 10 copies of the GEIGER-Willys will be produced, and
are available from Munich-based GeigerCars as a complete vehicle for
68,900 euros.
Specifications, Jeep "GEIGER-Willys" Limited Edition
Engine: V6 Pentastar gasoline engine
Displacement: 3,604 cc
Power: 284 hp (209 kW) at 6,350 rpm
Torque: 347 Nm at 4,300 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission
Urban / Highway/ Combined: 15.6 L / 8.8 L / 11.0 L/100 km
CO2 emissions, combined: 263 g/km
Emission class: Euro 6
Energy efficiency class: G
