The original GPV (General Purpose Vehicle) was designed by American Bantam Car Company but after extensive Army testing and some backroom dealings the contracts to produce what became the Jeep went to Willys Overland and Ford in 1941.

American Bantam Car Company did produce 2675 Bantam BRC-40 (the production version) but after the U.S. Army standardised on the Willys and Ford produced Jeeps, all the Bantams were issues to Britain and Russia under lend lease. The British used some of these vehicles in the Nth African campaigns.