The other day, we told you about how the Jeep® brand showcased the all-new Gladiator, Wrangler, and several Jeep concepts onboard the USS Hornet, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 splashdown. Since then, we have received a lot of questions asking about the “Jeep Wrangler 75th Salute Concept”. Most people have never heard of such a concept, so we figured we would take a quick look at this unique Wrangler (JK) concept.
Since 1941, the Jeep® name has symbolized a unique family of go-anywhere, do-anything vehicles. The Jeep brand is celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2016, and to mark the occasion, a commemorative one-of-a-kind Wrangler 75th Salute concept vehicle was created as a tribute to the brand’s legendary history and military heritage.
“We are creating this unique Jeep Wrangler 75th Salute concept vehicle in celebration of the brand’s legendary history, and to demonstrate that 75 years later, today’s iconic Jeep Wrangler is instantly recognizable and clearly connected to the original Willys MB,” said Mike Manley, then Head of Jeep Brand (now FCA CEO). “Since they were first produced in 1941, Jeep vehicles have been the authentic benchmark for off-road capability, having mastered more terrain, led more adventures and provided drivers more freedom than any other vehicle before or since.”
The “function over form” of the original Jeep military service vehicles was evident in this unique concept vehicle. The Wrangler 75th Salute concept which was a modern interpretation of the Willys MB and is based on a two-door Wrangler (JK) Sport and highlighted rugged functionality with heritage design cues, including the absence of B-pillars and doors. The exterior featured an olive-drab color scheme that was first seen on military vehicles 75 years ago and is present throughout the Wrangler 75th Salute concept.
The 75th Salute Concept features 16-inch steel wheels wrapped in 32-inch military non-directional tires, hood latches, a rear-mounted spare tire, steel front and rear bumpers with tow hooks and low back canvas seats which echo the original military Jeep vehicles. Other features include custom wood hood blocks and side mirrors, as well as bronze commemorative fender badges.
The Jeep Wrangler 75th Salute concept vehicle was built on the same assembly line that has produced the Wrangler in Toledo, Ohio, for decades, and was powered by a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine and mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. That’s right, the employees of the Toledo South Assembly Plant put together the unique concept themselves. The vehicle is now part of the Jeep historical vehicles library.
Jeep® Wrangler 75th Anniversary 75th Salute Concept Image Gallery:
