1941
A "jeep" was originally a "GP" or "General Purpose" Army vehicle, but has come to apply to many off-road or high-clearance vehicles. Synonyms would be "SUV" (Sport Utility Vehicle), 4x4 (all-wheel drive vehicles), or "Range Rover" (a trademark name). The military role of the jeep in the US Army has been assumed by the "Humvee" (High Mobility MultiPurpose Wheeled Vehicle).
The original US military jeep was manufactured from 1941 to 1945. These small four-wheel drive utility vehicles are considered the iconic World War II Jeep, and inspired many similar light utility vehicles.
You might be thinking of Jeep, although the actual source of this moniker is in dispute. Generally accepted is the explanation that the term "Jeep" was derived from the Ford GP, while others claim it was designated 'GP' by the US Military for "General Purpose". Still others claim it was named after Eugene the Jeep from the Popeye cartoons.
In the US Army 91B is a wheeled vehicle mechanic.
There are many sources for gathering information on military trucks for knowledge and to purchase. Steel Soldiers has a site, Coleman's Military Vehicle, and Historic Vehicle. The US Military sells antique and specialty vehicles.
Project Manhattan.
No. There were early versions of military trucks by the US and French, but a lot of the transportation was by horses and trains. One vehicle that was used was a 4x4 Ford 1/2 ton truck, which was larger than the eventual 1/4 ton jeep designs.The first vehicle to be called a jeep was likely the "Quad" or Willys MB, a 4-wheel drive, independent-suspension vehicle built by Willy-Overland in 1941. It and the Ford "Pygmy" were at least partly based on the BRC-40 "Blitz Buggy" designed by the American Bantam company in July, 1940.One source suggested for its name comes from the initials GP, or "general purpose" vehicle. Others suggest that "jeep" was just a name for any untested vehicle.
US Military or U.S. Military.
One can find many vehicle internet cites which offer a discount on buying a Jeep. Some of the best located in US are Autotrader, DiscountNewCars and CollinsBrosJeep.
Yes, there are many Jeep clubs in the US.
Yes, J.W.Speaker makes a set of LED headlights for the 1984-2001 Jeep Cherokee - called 8900. They are 5x7" and fit the Jeep Commanche MJ and the Jeep Wrangler YJ as well. They are even ECE approved, so they are road legal in Europe. Their technology is based on a product development for the Oskosh vehicle of the US army.
No - the last Jeep variant to see service was the Ford M151 MUTT, which was phased out in favour of the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, often referred to as the Humvee). Special operations units may have such vehicles or similar vehicles available for their use, however.