The Bantam Car Company won the opening round of the contest to satisfy the US army's 1940 specification for a light four wheel drive but Willys Overland won the battle and, some would say, the war. To ensure supply in war-time the Army decided on a second supplier - Ford. Between 1941 and 1945 Willys and Ford built about 700,000 of the vehicle. Because of the powerful engine and the enourmus handlingability. The Willys was concidered the jeep. Because of this the Bantam is nearly forgotten....