Workers lower the body on the chassis of Ford’s “Pygmy” prototype at the company’s River Rouge plant in Dearborn, Mich., in 1940. Though Willys’ design prevailed in trials, Ford was among the contractors who produced jeeps. (Armstrong Roberts/Classic Stock/Getty Images)

Workers lower the body on the chassis of Ford’s “Pygmy” prototype at the company’s River Rouge plant in Dearborn, Mich., in 1940. Though Willys’ design prevailed in trials, Ford was among the contractors who produced jeeps. (Armstrong Roberts/Classic Stock/Getty Images)