During the US Government’s competition to find a standardized 1/4 ton 4x4 military utility vehicle, only two (2) companies entered the bidding: American-Bantam Company and Willys-Overland Motors. As the Government had doubts about the companies' ability to produce the large number of vehicles expected to be needed, they attempted to persuade Ford Motor Company to participate in the project, but initially failed.  Ford was seen by the US as being an almost necessary part of the project due to their enormous manufacturing capability.  After much pressure, in late 1940 Ford was finally convinced to participate in the project.  Very Soon after, Ford produced two (2) prototype vehicles, dubbed the Ford Pygmy (AKA: The Blitz Buggy). The Pygmy was designed using the original US Government specifications, but also focusing on the lessons learned by both American-Bantam and Willys-Overland during their experiences producing their prototypes: the Bantam Mark 2 Recon Car and Quad Utility Vehicle, respectively.

As the three (3) companies' prototypes were vigorously tested, it became apparent their qualities and capabilities were very comparable.  Therefore, the US Military decided to allow Bantam, Willys and Ford to each produce 1,500 vehicles in their latest design version, which would be put through further tests and trials; the best design being selected as the US Military's standard 1/4 ton 4x4 utility vehicle.  The three vehicle designs: the Bantam BRC-40, Ford GP and Willys MA, are often referred to as the "pre-standardized" Jeeps.  Ultimately, approximately 4,458 Ford GP vehicles were produced, of which about 50 included four-wheel steering. After the final tests were completed, the vehicle design finally selected for standardized production by the US was the Willys MA (with a number of Ford GP design features being incorporated into it). In fact, some of the most prominent visual features of the GP were adopted into the new vehicle, including the flat-topped/round-sided hood, the headlights protected behind the grill and the gas tank placed below the driver's seat. The standardized vehicle created became the ubiquitous Willys MB/Ford GPW Jeep.