Gallery: And Our Readers' 10 Favorite Jeeps Are ...
01willys-mb
Our valiant effort to run down the illustrious history of one of the most famous vehicles by listing a mere [10 historic Jeeps](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/autopia/2011/01/celebrating-70-years-of-jeep/) drew no end of protest. Fans were outraged that we'd egregiously overlooked their personal favorites. Realizing the only way to choose among so many worthy vehicles was to let Jeep aficionados pick, we held a [popular vote](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/autopia/2011/01/okay-then-whats-your-favorite-jeep/). The votes have been cast, the ballots have been tallied, and our readers have spoken. The overwhelming favorite, the Jeep deemed Most Historic Ever with a whopping 312 votes, is the 1941-1945 Jeep MB, the ubiquitous military machine that helped the Allies win World War II. __Above:__ Willys MB --------- This venerable machine is as big a symbol of the Greatest Generation as that pic of the flag-raising over Iwo Jima. More than 640,000 Willys MB jeeps were built during wartime. American Bantam, Ford and Willys bid on the original Jeep contract. The Willys MA, with its 60-horsepower four-cylinder "Go Devil" engine, proved most popular. To promote efficiency, the War Department in 1941 ordered the MB, which incorporated innovations and improvements drawn from Bantam and Ford. The whole shebang was standardized, so multiple manufacturers could produce the same vehicle. One innovation would help define the brand: the slatted grille, designed by Ford to save weight and production time.
Wieck02jeep-cj-8-scrambler
Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler ------------------- Second place goes to the CJ-8 Scrambler, a relatively rare but much-loved CJ-based pickup. Ronald Reagan may be the most famous Scrambler owner. His wife Nancy gave him a sky-blue '83 CJ-8 as a surprise gift. It remains in the collection at Reagan's library and retains its ["Gipper" vanity plates](http://www.jpmagazine.com/featuredvehicles/154_1005_ronald_reagans_1983_cj8_scrambler_1962_jeep_cj6/index.html).
03jeep-jt-concept
Jeep JT Concept --------------- The popularity of pickups among Jeep-ophiles can't be understated. That's why so many of them hoped Chrysler would actually build the JT. From the no-nonsense design to the "Hearing Aid Beige" paint (no kidding), the whole thing was based on the Wrangler and built with off-the-shelf parts. Sadly, it only appeared at the big [SEMA automotive trade show](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/autopia/2010/11/the-15-craziest-things-we-saw-at-sema/) in 2007.
04jeep-wrangler-unlimited
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited ----------------------- It's a stretched version of the current JK model. It's got another 20.6 inches and another pair of doors. Our readers love it. Go figure.
05jeep-cherokee
Jeep Cherokee ------------- Our readers have a love-it-or-hate-it relationship with the XJ series Cherokee. Nearly as many people voted against it as voted for it. We're in the "love it" category. A compact, unibody SUV that could go virtually anywhere, it was as easy to park at the grocery store as it was to modify for serious off-roading.
06jeep-commando
Jeep Commando ------------- Jeep fans love vintage Ford Broncos. Oh. Wait. That's the Jeep Commando. Not to be confused with the [Jeep Commander](http://articles.sfgate.com/2005-11-25/news/17399106_1_jeep-s-own-grand-cherokee-doors-bumper), the Commando's life spanned Kaiser and AMC ownership between 1966 and 1973. When AMC took over it decided that it wanted a competitor to the popular Bronco. It essentially Xeroxed the front of a Bronco and called it a day.
Photo: California Sex Offender Archive07jeep-wrangler
Jeep Wrangler ------------- Reader Mark nominated the current Wrangler, saying, "Nice, short but slightly wide wheelbase. Sahara and Rubicon come with 18/32 inch wheels/tires standard and do as well off-road as many other lifted vehicles." Pretty much sums up what you need to know about it.
Wieck08jeep-forward-control
Jeep Forward Control -------------------- We're quite happy that the awkward-looking Forward Control got a mention because, frankly, FC vehicles of any kind rock.
09jeep-cj-7
Jeep CJ-7 --------- The CJ-7 was a stretched version of the beloved CJ-5, and was built between 1976 and 1986. With more than a hundred different engine, transmission and axle combos, there was a CJ-7 for every outdoor activity. For those who wanted even more choices, that stretched wheelbase meant that it could accept all kinds of donor engines.
10jeep-cj-6
Jeep CJ-6 --------- The CJ-6 rounds out our list of reader's favorite Jeeps. It didn't sell particularly well, relatively speaking, in the United States. But like the Scrambler, one did end up in the collection of Ronald Reagan, who used it to do heavy lifting on his California ranch. Thanks to all who voted. Rest assured, we've learned our lesson: It's best to avoid naming the most significant Jeeps. Better to stick with less controversial topics, like, say, politics and religion.
