The Willys MB U.S. Army Jeep and the Ford GPW Jeep were 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. With America enduring difficult economic times, the U.S. Army instigated a program to modernise its fleet with a 'general purpose, personnel or cargo carrier' especially adaptable for reconnaissance or command and designated as a ¼-tonne, 4x4 truck. Ford Motor Company, American Bantam Car Company and Willys-Overland Motors all competed for the government contract and American Bantam were the initial winners of the bid. However, the U.S. government were keen on standardisation and Willys' production capacity eventually won them the contract. Towards the end of 1941, Willys' facilities couldn't keep up with demand so Ford were contracted to produce the Jeep under licence in addition through to the end of World War II. From 1942-45, Willys produced over 360,000 Jeeps and parts used on Willys' MB Jeeps and Ford GPW Jeeps are completely interchangeable mechanically. This 1942 Willys MB Jeep was supplied to the RAF and was modified to take a sub machine gun which was mounted behind the front seats. This Jeep stayed in service with the RAF until 1959 when it was sold and registered in the UK. From the registration documents it appears that the second owner purchased it in 1995 and kept it for eleven years until 2006. The vendor acquired the Jeep from the third owner in 2012. Sometime in the 1990's this Willys Jeep was repainted to have the correct period colours and marking of the US Army. The Jeep is supplied with a full set of weather equipment including fabric doors, shovel and pick axe, jerry can, hitch for a trailer and spare wheel mounted on the back. The Jeep has a V5C registration document, MoT test certificate which expires in July 2014, a couple of old test certificates and a photograph of an RAF record from the late 1950's. Genuine Willys MB Jeeps are always the most desirable and represent an important period in our history.
The Willys MB U.S. Army Jeep and the Ford GPW Jeep were 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. With America enduring difficult economic times, the U.S. Army instigated a program to modernise its fleet with a 'general purpose, personnel or cargo carrier' especially adaptable for reconnaissance or command and designated as a ¼-tonne, 4x4 truck. Ford Motor Company, American Bantam Car Company and Willys-Overland Motors all competed for the government contract and American Bantam were the initial winners of the bid. However, the U.S. government were keen on standardisation and Willys' production capacity eventually won them the contract. Towards the end of 1941, Willys' facilities couldn't keep up with demand so Ford were contracted to produce the Jeep under licence in addition through to the end of World War II. From 1942-45, Willys produced over 360,000 Jeeps and parts used on Willys' MB Jeeps and Ford GPW Jeeps are completely interchangeable mechanically. This 1942 Willys MB Jeep was supplied to the RAF and was modified to take a sub machine gun which was mounted behind the front seats. This Jeep stayed in service with the RAF until 1959 when it was sold and registered in the UK. From the registration documents it appears that the second owner purchased it in 1995 and kept it for eleven years until 2006. The vendor acquired the Jeep from the third owner in 2012. Sometime in the 1990's this Willys Jeep was repainted to have the correct period colours and marking of the US Army. The Jeep is supplied with a full set of weather equipment including fabric doors, shovel and pick axe, jerry can, hitch for a trailer and spare wheel mounted on the back. The Jeep has a V5C registration document, MoT test certificate which expires in July 2014, a couple of old test certificates and a photograph of an RAF record from the late 1950's. Genuine Willys MB Jeeps are always the most desirable and represent an important period in our history.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
