1942 WILLYS JEEP WWII

One of the possible origins of the word "Jeep' was from the Popeye cartoon series where 'Eugene the Jeep' was his jungle pet, small and able to solve impossible problems. At the time, as war raged in Europe, the earliest Jeeps formed a lasting impression on the American soldier which may have helped the adoption of the affectionate term Jeep. However, more likely is the fact that the vehicles designation was 'GP' and when said quickly and frequently GP quickly becomes 'Geep'.Even more impressive was the time taken from concept to production of a design that has stood the test of time and become an unlikely motoring icon. From tenders being sent out, to a production run commencing, took less than two hundred days. Considering how the Jeep was conceived and its role in warfare, it is remarkable that some of the world's finest classic car collections seem to always include a Willys or Ford WWII Jeep making the example offered here a candidate for serious consideration should one of these yardstick cars have so far eluded you.The example offered here was imported from Italy in 2015, and that country's dry climate probably explains how it has survived in such remarkably solid original form. This is not a restored Jeep made up of remanufactured parts and panels, but a perfect candidate for either a restoration or to be preserved and enjoyed as is. In the past, it appears that it's been subject to various interpretations of how to keep a WWII vehicle running, perhaps explained by its rural Italian past, but it starts with ease and ticks over reliably commensurate with a wartime engine.It retains many genuine mid-1942 production items including axles, gearbox and of course a remarkably well-preserved chassis and tub. The Bakelite steering wheel is still present together with its post-March 1942 glove box. It does not require an MoT and has an allocated NOVA number for pending registration in the UK. Still a favorite with us and "de rigueur' for Goodwood.