Jeep Forward Control жүк көліктерінің тарихы

Series of pickup trucks made by Jeep

The Jeep Forward Control is a truck that was produced by Willys Motors, later named Kaiser Jeep, from 1956 to 1965. It was also assembled in other international markets. The layout featured a cab over (forward control) design. The Forward Control models were primarily marketed as corporate, municipal, military, and civilian work vehicles. Regular pickup box beds were standard, and customers were offered many "Jeep approved" specialized bodies from outside suppliers. These ranged from simple flatbeds to complete tow trucks, dump trucks, and fire trucks. The vehicles were also manufactured under license in India and Spain.

Willys produced utility vehicles that remained almost unchanged since 1947. As the marketplace grew more competitive in the 1950s, management developed a new range of modern cab and body trucks. The independent designer that Willys contracted since the 1940s, Brooks Stevens, used styling cues from full size cab over engine trucks for this new futuristic looking space efficient vehicle with the center grille panel made to imitate the classic seven slot Jeep design. The unconventional forward control layout and "helicopter look" of the cab was too unusual for mainstream buyers during that era. Still, they were successful in specialty markets that included airport service vehicles, tow trucks, and railroad crew trucks that could ride the rails. Numerous versions of the Forward Control Jeeps were manufactured for general and specialized applications with 1957 being the top production with almost 10,000 vehicles built that year. Engineering was based on existing CJ 5. Power came from the Hurricane F head and L head 4 cylinder engines. The updates in 1958 on both the FC 150 and 170 versions had attained a goal established by Willys engineers to design a versatile commercial vehicle in which the ratio of the vehicle's curb weight to its payload was 1 to 1. According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), this was regarded as the lowest ratio offered by domestic manufacturers at that time within the standard light duty commercial vehicle segment.

Introduced in 1956, FC 150 models were based on the CJ 5 with its wheelbase, but featuring a long cargo box. This was a record breaking six foot length (with the tailgate up) load bed on a vehicle whose total length was two inches shorter than the diminutive two seat Nash Metropolitan. The rugged design and go anywhere capability included a claim that the FC could climb grades of up to 60% and reviews by Mechanix Illustrated highlighted the vehicle's toughness and surefootedness.

Introduced in 1957, FC 170 models had a wheelbase with a bed. The forward control layout achieved this. The cab did not tilt for engine access. The standard six cylinder engine was mated to a three speed transmission. A 1958 concept version of the FC 170 featured a wheelbase. This was required to accommodate a new V8 engine (based on the Ford Y block) with a new transfer case. A new 3 speed automatic transmission (based on the Ford Cruise O Matic) was only available with the inline 6 due to possible driveshaft angle issues. A T 98 4 speed manual with both engines was available. This model had a gross weight of
The FC models did not become the big sellers that Willys had hoped. Total production in nine years was just over 30,000 units. The FC line was discontinued in 1964.

Numerous versions of FC models (most not available in the domestic market) were manufactured in many other nations under collaboration agreements with successive owners of Jeep: Willys Overland, Kaiser Jeep, and American Motors Corporation (AMC).

Mahindra & Mahindra Limited in Bombay (Mumbai), India began its vehicle business in 1947 by assembling 75 complete knock down (CKD) Jeeps in Mazagon, Bombay. The company started FC 150 production in India in 1965 and later expanded the model range for the domestic market to include the FC 170, as well as its own intermediate sized FC 160. The FC 160 (and later FJ 160) uses a wheelbase. The pick up box was by Mahindra, and other bodies were available. The "cowl and chassis only" FC 160 model was popular during the 1970s for conversion into mini buses, ambulances, and other vehicles. Most have the basic front face of the FC. The manufacture of the Mahindra FC 160 pickup truck ended in the summer of 1999. The FC 260 Diesel light truck was introduced in 1975. Mahindra's four wheel drive FJ 460 (introduced in 1983) and two wheel drive FJ 470 van or mini bus vehicles retain the original Forward Control grille arrangement. These vehicles can accommodate from 11 to 15 passengers plus the driver.

In the 1960s, Kaiser Willys licensed Vehículos Industriales y Agrícolas (VIASA) of Zaragoza in Aragon to build Jeeps in Spain. Beginning in 1970, the "SV" line of commercial trucks were built using the Commando 4x4 Jeep chassis, just like the FC models in the United States. However, the Iberian models were unlike any Jeeps produced elsewhere and featured indigenously developed body designs. The SV line included the Campeador (one ton pickup), Duplex (double cab pickup), Furgon (one ton van), and the Toledo (9 seat luxury passenger van). The diesel achieved almost
Nissan took complete control of Ebro in 1987, and the company was named Nissan Motor Ibérica.

Kaiser contracted Crown Coach Corporation, a bus manufacturer, to build a "Wide Trac" forward control concept car that combines elements of the original Jeep FC trucks, the VIASA SV pickup, and Brooks Stevens' 1960 proposed facelift.