The history of the Jeep dates back to June 1940. The U.S. Army solicited bids from 135 automakers for a “light reconnaissance vehicle.” Three companies responded – The American Bantam Car ...

Even so, you can see the logo evolve throughout the brand's history ... before the first true Jeep logo came to be, t he U.S.

But as plucky and innovative as Bantam was, it ultimately lost the military jeep contract to Willys-Overland and Ford. The rest is history. The jaunty 1938 American Bantam Roadster featured here ...