Jeep rocks the Goodwood Revival

Star of more gung-ho war movies than John Wayne, the Jeep is as American as french fries and apple pie. Last weekend's sellout Goodwood Revival marked the centenary of Ford of Britain and the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. But Jeep -- celebrating its 70th birthday -- also came to the party.

Thanks to a sponsorship agreement with the Goodwood Revival, the American 4WD titan was able to make a corner of West Sussex feel just like home -- at least for a few hours.

With record crowds of 138,000 this year, there was no shortage of fans to enjoy the Jeep exhibition areas. For 50s nostalgia buffs there there was the classic Jeep diner and Jeep at March Motor Works, with a Jeepster displayed in a typical US garage of the era.

Elsewhere there was Jeep at the Earls Court Motor Show, where classic 50s and 60s Jeep vehicles rubbed shoulders with contemporary models like the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee and Compass.

A great party needs the right soundtrack. Though a rock band calling themselves the Milkshakers doesn't sound very rock 'n' roll to me, they were backed up by the Lindy Hop dancers.

Jeep Chrysler's UK Brand Director Nigel Land was thrilled to have been part of such a successful weekend: “We were able not only to revel in the heritage of the remarkable Jeep brand, but also to show people the stunning new Jeep range of vehicles that we are selling today.”

Over the past seven decades iconic Jeep models have featured in every TV show from Desperate Housewives and Breaking Bad, to CSI . The indispensable Internet Movie Cars Database also reveals some of Jeep's big screen highlights:

• Jeep Grand Cherokee -- The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), American Pie (1999) and Death Wish V
• Jeep Grand Wagoneer -- The Pelican Brief, Enemy of the State and 1994's Lassie
• Jeep Wrangler -- Vampires (1998), Evolution and After the Sunset

Many happy returns, Jeep!