Category:Bantam BRC 40

Bantam BRC 

predecessor of the more common WWII jeep
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Instance of	automobile model
Followed by	Willys MB
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About: The 1941 Bantam Reconnaissance Car, that became known as the model 'BRC-40'.

The 1941 Bantam BRCs differed with a low, flat hood, and straight grille, in addition to the 1940 BRC Mk. II's flat, square front fenders. Furthermore the rear body was made more square by reducing the curve radius, both between the outer body back and side panels: to a completely sharp 90‑degree angle; and the rear end radius of the side entry cutouts was reduced to fit grab handles higher, and fully horizontally. Also two rear bumperettes instead of a single rear bumper; spare wheel moved to the right, and fuel-filler no longer visible in rear panel; possibly to make room for jerry-can holder on left back.
The lower (hood) profile design looked another step closer to what has become viewed as the traditional 1/4-ton, 4x4 jeeps, than the 1940 models.

The Reconnaissance Cars were powered by a Continental four-cylinder engine with a 112-cubic inch displacement. The Spicer (Now Dana) 40 axles were coupled to the engine through a three-speed Warner T-84D transmission and a two-speed Spicer transfer case.

Some 2700 pre-production / pre-standardized Bantam jeeps were built, of which 50 four-wheel steer units, and mostly distributed to the British Empire and the Soviet Union, allies of World War II, via Lend-Lease. The U.S. was not yet in the War for most of 1941, but the right nations were already eager for pre-standard U.S. designed jeeps to fight the Axis enemies with them, even before mass-production of the war-readied Willys MB spooled up, later that year.