Following the announcement of the Wrangler 75th Anniversary for the UK, Jeep has now revealed another concept model celebrating the anniversary of the vehicle’s conception as a military machine. This one’s for America, it’s called Jeep Wrangler 75th Salute Edition, and it’s much closer to the original first Willys MB than that UK model.
Designed as an all-purpose, all-terrain military vehicle that could deal with the various challenges the European battlefields presented, the Wrangler had a decisive role int he Allied victory that followed. That’s why the original Willys models are changing hands these days for serious money, and why Chrysler could make a fortune if they produce this Jeep Wrangler 75th Salute Edition as a limited model.
Based on a two-door Wrangler Sport, The 75th Salute pays homage to the original car with an olive-drab paint job, open-top body, and Army replica graphics. Other war-inspired highlights include 16-inch steel wheels wrapped in 32-inch military non-directional tires, hood latches, a rear-mounted spare tire, steel front and rear bumpers with tow hooks and low back canvas seats, and custom wood hood blocks and side mirrors and bronze commemorative badges.
While it looks very much like a Willys, Jeep Wrangler 75th Salute Edition is a lot more capable than its grandaddy thanks to a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission.