Do you wonder which pre-standardized WW2 jeep was best? Was it the Bantam, Ford or Willys?
Which vehicle was better? It all depends on what you were must interested in. Certainly, the Willys had the more power but it also had the heaviest weight. While the Bantam was the lightest and slowest of the three.
| Bantam | Ford | Willys | |
| Overall Rating | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Grade Climbing Ability | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Braking tests | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Cross Country Ability | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Highest Level Road Speed | 59 mph | 64 mph | 74 mph |
| Fuel Consumption, speed range 20 to 50 mph | 23.2 mpg | 20.9 mpg | 20.2 mpg |
| Turning Radius | 20.4 ft | 17.3 ft | 19.4 ft |
| Grade Climbing 28° in low ratio second gear | Succeeded, no reserve power | Failed to reach top | Topped raise at 10mph, great reserve |
| Best Features | steering | handbrake seats | engine, superior, greater torque |
| springs | springs | top | |
| headlights | transmission, greater ease of shifting | ||
| front brake line protection | front brake line protection | ||
| tire carrier | radiator | ||
| gear shift location | stronger frame | ||
| Unfavorable Features | inaccessibility of handbrake | performance poor | driver’s position |
| difficulty fastening top | gear shifting difficult | leg room | |
| carburetor failure on severe slopes | steering unsatisfactory, wanders | accelerator pedal location | |
| difficult top setup | handbrake location | ||
| carburetor failure on severe slopes | gearshift lever location | ||
| carburetor failure on severe slopes | |||
| Price, net | $946.04 | $925.00 | $949.41 |
For more information you might be interested in Jeep – Its development and procurement under the Quartermaster Corps, 1940-1942
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