1942 Harley Davidson WLC # 2047
built September 1941
1941 U.S. Army needed a motorcycle for its combat divisions. Harley and Indians motorcycles completed 2 different models. U.S Army required 550 cc horsepower engines. Indian motorcycles met their requirements. Harley had a 750cc model already in production, with a few minor changes to meet U.S. Army needs. When tested, the soldiers liked the Harley over the Indian. The Army had both companies build their motorcycles. Over 13,000 of the 42’ WLA were produced, even fewer of the WLCs were produced in Canada for the America army. Today only a handful remain, this model is the rarest to remain, only a handful exist, most are in Europe in collections or museums.
John Lind is the proud owner of this motorcycle. The bike was sold from the 4th Armored Division museum in Germany. After a restoration period this bike again runs and takes part in many historical events. During WWII this bike belong to the 82nd AB Division, and took part in Operation “Market Garden” in Sept.1944. Damaged during the battle, the bike was repaired and returned to service with the 4th AD, taking part in the “Battle of the Bulge”. This motorcycle was placed in the 4th AD museum for over 40 years.
1942
Willy's JEEP
serial # 12666 built March 26, 1942
The museum proudly owns
this 1942 Willy's Jeep complete with mounted bazooka. In 1939 the U.S. Army
invited 135 companies to submit proposals for a new military vehicle to
replace its aging fleet of motorcycles and Ford Model T trucks. Only three
companies complied: Ford Motor Company, Willys-Overland, and American Bantam
Car Company. The initial contract went to Bantam, but their vehicle proved
to be a failure under rigorous testing. New prototypes were then ordered
from the other two companies. Willys ultimately won the contract in July
1941. Ford agreed to build from Willys' plans and Bantam built trailers
for the Willys vehicle.
The Ford entrant in the design competition was called the "GP," which in Ford parlance stood for "Government 80 inch wheelbase Reconnaissance Car." (Willys called their design the "MB.") When slurred, "GP" led to the name "jeep," which stuck to the small four-wheel-drive vehicle even though the Willys design actually won the competition and Ford ended up building the Willys design.
The Willys Jeep was powered by a four-cylinder engine that could run at 4,000 RPM for 100 hours straight. The transmission was a three-speed manual, with a four-wheel-drive transfer case with high and low gears. The vehicle featured a fold-up cloth roof. The Jeep could run 60 miles per hour, climb a forty degree slope, turn around in a 30 foot circle, and tilt up to 50 degrees to either side without tipping over. It could even run under water, with special attachments for air intake and exhaust.
Over 350,000 Jeeps were built to fight in World War II. The Willys assembly line turned out one every 90 seconds. Following the war, public demand was so high that Willys continued producing the Jeep in tremendous numbers, re-designated as the "CJ-2A" ("CJ" for "civilian Jeep"). The vehicle was produced for the Army in continually improved versions until 1981, when it was replaced by the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (the "Hummer").
1942 Cadillac Limousine
Our 1942 Cadillac limousine was one of the fleet staff cars for General Dwight D. Eisenhower. This car was General Einsenhower's staff vehicle while he was stationed in England and further in Germany at the end of the war. Our vehicle was in the European theater of operations from 1942-1945. The car tours with our other museum pieces to public events throughout the year. The vehicle is owned by a friend of the museum.
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