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 ...

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 ...

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.