1944 Willys MB Jeep

In early 1940, the United States Department of War had determined it needed a light, cross-country, four-wheel drive, reconnaissance vehicle and was anxious to have one in time for, what may possibly turn out to be, America's entry into World War II in Europe. The U.S. Army solicited proposals from domestic car manufacturers for a replacement for its existing, ageing light motor vehicles, mainly motorcycles and sidecars, and some Ford Model Ts. Recognizing the need to create standard specifications, the Army formalised its requirements on July 11th 1940 and submitted them to 135 U.S. automotive manufacturers.

It's a matter of history that ultimately two manufacturers were successful, Willys with their MB (US quarter-ton Army truck) and later, Ford with their GPW (in production designated GP.) Impressively the time taken from conception and tenders being sent out, to the production lines starting to roll, was less than two hundred days, amazing for a vehicle that has stood the test of time and become an unlikely motoring icon.

This ability to get things done quickly and well was the deciding factor in America being asked to produce military hardware in vast numbers and build hundreds of ships, arguably influencing the outcome of the Second World War. As the war progressed, Willys-Overland produced over 300,000 Jeeps and the Ford Motor Co. was drafted in to help boost production and contributed a further 250,000 units. Ford assembled Jeeps were recognizable by their pressed steel grilles as opposed to the Willys' slat-style grille.

In terms of the name, it's not difficult to imagine that in an American accent “Let's take the GeeP” or “Grab a couple of GeePs” the term 'GP' would easily become 'Jeep'.

This particular 1944 vehicle spent some time in a Belgian collection of militaria, and had been the subject of a reasonably thorough restoration in the past, but when our vendor purchased it a couple of years ago he felt that there was quite a lot still to do to bring it up to his, admittedly very high, standards.

He started by removing the body from the chassis and dropping off both axles which were stripped, serviced, reassembled and painted. The chassis was relieved of as many parts as possible, stripped, prepared and repainted in the correct colour as were the leaf springs, diffs, hub carriers and just about everything else (see photos). The steering was inspected and rebuilt with new bushes, joints etc. and the brakes were serviced, rebuilt and checked as you would expect. A new fuel tank was fitted with a new filter and the wiring was generally checked and tidied.

The engine was stripped and fitted with a new crank, big ends, crankshaft seal and sump gasket. When finished, the Jeep was reassembled and fully resprayed, as was the matching, period correct, trailer which accompanies the Willys. With the £2,000 spent on the trailer, the total cost of this project was just over £11,000 on labour and parts.

Most people who restore these vehicles do a reasonable job, but YXG 589 is 'head and shoulders' the best we have seen for years.

Considering the manner in which the Jeep was conceived and its role in warfare, it's remarkable that most of the finest classic car collections will include a Willys or Ford WWII Jeep, making the restored example offered here a candidate for serious consideration should one of these yardstick cars have, so far, eluded you.