1903

The Standard Wheel Company expands bicycle operations to include Overland Automotive.

1903

The Overland "Runabout" is introduced.

1908

John North Willys, an Overland dealer in Elmira, NY travels to Indianapolis and buys the Overland Automotive Division of Standard Wheel Company.

1909

Overland Automotive is moved to Toledo, OH.

1912

Overland Automotive is renamed Willys-Overland Motor Company.

1913

John North Willys purchases Edwards Motor Company of New York City, obtaining a license to develop Knight sleeve-valve engines. Production of the Willys-Knight automobiles begins.

1914

Willys continues increasing production and becomes the number two automaker in America, second only to Ford.

1926

The Willys Whippet debuts. Featuring a 100" wheelbase, it is the smallest car then made in America.

1932

Production of the Willys-Knight automobiles end.

1935

John North Willys, the father of the company that will later become known as Jeep, passes away.

1936

Coming out of bankruptcy following the Great Depression, the company is reorganized as Willys-Overland Motors, Inc.

1940

Two of the five Willys Quad prototype vehicles are delivered to the US Army. Powered by the 60hp "Go-Devil" engine, this vehicle has more power than the competing entries from Bantam Car Company and Ford.

1941

Willys improves upon the Quad with the debut of the Willys MA. 1,553 units are produced. Of these, approximately 30 are known to still be in existence.

1942

Willys begins production of the world-renown Willys MB. 335,531 units are produced. "Jeep" becomes a household name with the news of this amazing vehicle that can go anywhere and do anything. These are the most desired Jeep vehicle for restoration.

1944

The US Army contracts Willys to develop a long-wheelbase version of the MB. Willys responds by developing the MLW-1 and MLW-2 prototypes.

1944

The CJ-1 is developed. This is the first prototype of the CJ line. No CJ-1s are known to still be in existence.

1944

The CJ-2 is developed. 45 examples of this model are built. Nine of these vehicles are known to still be in existence.

1945

Willys-Overland begins producing the Civilian Jeep (CJ) line, with the introduction of the CJ-2A model.  214,202 units were produced between 1945 and 1949.

1946

Production begins on the Willys Jeep Wagon. Over 300,000 are manufactured between 1946 and 1965. This vehicle is the first 4-wheel drive wagon and is the predecessor to today's Grand Cherokee and Commander.

1947

The first Land Rover prototype is developed by the Wilks family using many spare Willys MB parts.

1947

Production begins on the Willys Jeep Truck. From 1947 to 1965, more than 200,000 are manufactured.