Only a few cars manage to remain largely unchanged - at least visually - long enough to become living classics. One such vehicle is the Jeep Wrangler whose roots go back to the Willys Jeep that was born during the Second World War.

In 1940, the US Army commissioned the development of a small, rugged off-road military vehicle that could be built quickly and cheaply. Built between 1942 and 1945, the Willys MB’s General-Purpose or G-P designation was soon phonetically shortened to ‘Jeep’, a name destined to become a household word.

However, this was only the beginning of a long and impressive success story, and post-war the Jeep was continuously developed for both military and civilian roles where foresters, farmers and adventurous individuals alike also came to rely on its rugged simplicity and good off-road ability. Prior to 1987 the civilian designs were sold under the Jeep CJ name, with the first Jeep Wrangler replacing it after that.

Based on the third generation Jeep Wrangler, whose successor has just been announced, US car specialists, GeigerCars.de now offer a unique limited edition series that takes its styling cues from the original WW2 era Willys MB.

• 3.6-litre, 284 hp Pentastar V6 with 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.
• Period look of the original Willys Jeep with special olive drab paintwork.
• Exclusive limited edition series of only 10 copies.

For their Jeep “GEIGER-Willys” Limited Edition, Karl Geiger and his team choose the US version of the classic, two-door Wrangler, which comes with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission linked to its 284 hp / 209 kW 3.6-litre Pentastar petrol V6.

Since the focus of this vehicle is the replication of the original Willys Jeep image, the engine is untouched, the only mechanical upgrade being an exhaust system with sound flap control.

However, to achieve the authentic WW2 US Army Willys Jeep look, the Wrangler has to be completely disassembled for a bare metal re-spray in olive drab paint, to which accurate reproductions of period US Army logos and lettering are applied.

Serious off-roader will appreciate the robust Rugged Ridge bumpers, the front unit sporting an integrated motorised winch. A reinforced spare wheel carrier at the rear holds the 17-inch steel spare wheel shod with a 265/70R17 all-terrain tyres just like the others. This, and the green fabric top add to the WW2 period look of the vehicle.

Last but not least, the interior has also been given a makeover to replicate the Willys MB look, with seats covered with olive green fabric. Only 10 copies of the GEIGER-Willys will be produced, and are available from Munich-based GeigerCars as a complete vehicle for 68,900 euros.

Specifications, Jeep "GEIGER-Willys" Limited Edition

Engine: V6 Pentastar gasoline engine
Displacement: 3,604 cc
Power: 284 hp (209 kW) at 6,350 rpm
Torque: 347 Nm at 4,300 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission
Urban / Highway/ Combined: 15.6 L / 8.8 L / 11.0 L/100 km
CO2 emissions, combined: 263 g/km
Emission class: Euro 6
Energy efficiency class: G