Jeep and Military Vehicle Car Show and Swap Meet nearing in Windham

By Ed Pierce

If you’re anywhere near the Windham Veterans Center in North Windham on Saturday, Aug. 1, for the first time ever, American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 will be hosting a Jeep and Military Vehicle Car Show and Swap Meet and the public is invited to participate.

American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 will host a Jeep and
Military Vehicle Car Show and Swap Meet from noon to 
3 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans
Memorial Drive in Windham on Saturday, Aug. 1.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

Jeeps old and new, ones that go off road and others that never do will be on display at the event at the WVC, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive, behind Hannaford in Windham.

Organizers say that vehicle registration for the Jeep Car Show will be conducted from 10 a.m. to noon for $25, followed by the show running from noon to 3 p.m. In the event of rain, the Jeep Car Show will be held on Sunday, Aug. 2.

Prizes will be awarded in six divisions for first through third place and a Best of Show award will also be presented.

The military history of the Jeep itself is the stuff of legends.

In 1942 with the United States embroiled in World War II, America’s military needed a nimble, 4x4 scout car. American Bantam Car Company built the first prototype called the "Quad", but the Willys-Overland and Ford companies were brought in to mass-produce the vehicles because American Bantam did not have the manufacturing capacity to mass produce the vehicles.

Willys was able to create what became the definitive military Jeep, and the Ford GPW was built to the exact same design.

Many say that the name "Jeep" came from U.S. Army slang short for "G.P." or a “General Purpose” vehicle.

The Jeep went on to revolutionize military transport and proved to be indispensable for the Allied forces. Jeeps were used for nearly every purpose including for shuttling troops back and forth from the front lines, as ambulances, and frequently as mobile command centers.

When World War II ended, Willys-Overland introduced the first Jeep for the civilian mark in 1945. During the 1950s and 1960s, Jeep expanded heavily into the recreational market. Corporate ownership then shifted to Kaiser Jeep and in 1963, Jeep introduced the Wagoneer, which transformed the market by offering one of the very first luxury, four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles.

American Motors Corporation (AMC) acquired the Jeep product line in 1970. It refined the brand by introducing the full-time 4x4 Quadra-Trac system and eventually launching the Jeep Cherokee model in 1984. The Cherokee featured a groundbreaking unibody design that helped set the industry standard for all modern SUVs.

Chrysler Corporation acquired the Jeep brand from AMC in 1987 and introduced the Jeep Wrangler in 1986. Merging with DaimlerChrysler and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Jeep further evolved its lineup to include the Grand Cherokee and Gladiator.

Jeep operates under the Stellantis Corporation and now sells hybrid electric vehicles like the Wrangler 4xe.

During the Jeep and Military Vehicle Car Show and Swap Meet in Windham there will be vendors and a disc jockey playing music.

Donations will be appreciated with all funds going to support local veterans in need.

Jeep and Military Vehicle Car Show and Swap Meet sponsors include American Legion Post 148, Modern Woodmen of America and Mainely Jeep of Windham.

For further details or to inquire about vendor opportunities, send an email to [email protected] <