( http://www.TFLcar.com ) The 1942 Ford GPW and the Willys MB is perhaps the most iconic American four-wheel-drive vehicle of the second World War. But you may simply know it as a Jeep. BTW: The very first Jeep, as one story goes, was named after a popular Popeye cartoon character of the time. Of course today the Jeep is known all over the world as a rugged off-road vehicle, but back during the second world war this classic American vehicle was built also by Ford to help meet the Army's demand.