Description
Great driving Jeep for sale.
Here's my Hotchkiss Jeep that I've written about in Classic and Sports Car magazine for 5 years.
Built to a higher spec' than the wartime Jeeps with better bearings and thicker steel these Hotchkiss built cars are more reliable, stronger and nicer to drive.
This Jeep has matching body and chassis no’s, in great driving condition with waterproofed 24 volt electrics, although the HT system is now standard. It features Free Wheel front hubs which are a must for practical use on anything more than a short run meaning it can be driven in 2 or 4WD. It features the simple Willys Go-Devil 4 cylinder side valve engine as standard.
It comes with the correct shovel/ axe accessories and canvas roof all of which are in great condition and period Jerry can on the back. After WWII the Americans dumped all their equipment in Europe and Jeeps became the ubiquitous military scout cars. As they wore out or broke down and spares were used up, French car manufacturer Hotchkiss acquired the license from Willys to make parts and eventually complete Jeeps. These cars, not made under wartime conditions were better built with many of the early issues with the Ford and Willys Jeeps had been ironed out.
This car was built in 1962 in Paris and served in the Norwegian army. Due to its 24v electrics it may have been a radio Jeep.
I've had few mechanical issues during my 5 years of ownership. The diff' was replaced early on after the carrier broke due to a poor weld repair prior to my ownership. It was replaced with OEM parts from specialist Dallas Auto Parts. The starter and solenoid have been overhauled as has the Solex carburetor with new jets etc. One of the batteries was performing poorly and it was replaced last year.
The car is a great starter and ticks over sweetly.
Last year I drove it to Normandy for the D-Day 80th commemoration and hope to take it over to Jersey for the 80th anniversary of Liberation day this year if the car is not sold by then.
