1943 Willys MB Jeep
Just sometimes these machines become a part of the family, This is one of those special vehicles.
The first of its several restorations was completed by 1983 and coincided with the owners award of a driving licence. Then used for several years as a full-time drive commuting between Stoke and Coventry in all weathers while studying. It soon became a firm favourite and part of the family.
Over the years it has completed many many foreign trips including early MVCG / MVT Normandy and Arnhem trips and countless shows and events both local and national.
Just recently this Willys MB has undergone its third restoration in 45 years and is ready for the next ten, though the owner is now somewhat creakier than he was 45 years earlier. It remains roadworthy when required for use.
At this time the place to purchase a Jeep was the ‘ex-military’ ads in the Exchange and Mart where every so often a Jeep would be listed. There would be queues in the newsagents to check the ads in there each Thursday morning!
The first picture in the sequence above show the vehicle when first found by an earlier enthusiast from the Shrewsbury area in the mid 1970's.
The second and third photos document how it looked when first purchased by Nick out of a haulier's yard down in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire in January 1980.
At this point, it had been heavily modified with a huge, heavy angle iron tailgate and Perkins P3 diesel engine.
The story goes at this time it still carried USMC markings and had a yellow infill to the star on the bonnet when uncovered. Possibly indicating use in southern Europe.
Archive research shows that it was first road registered in the very early post war years and had been used by a number of small business in the Shropshire area.
The restoration commenced in 1981 and first driven in September 1983.
At that same time parts came from Metamet, in London via letter and parcel post.
After sitting off the road for almost 20 years, the opportunity arose to bring it into the workshop to be painted and to have some of the missing or incorrect parts replaced. In July 2021, the Jeep was stripped down to the chassis and running gear.
This gave a change to clean and paint the underside of the tub, as well as fit a new wiring harness and fuel lines.
By the end of September 2021, the MB was back to a complete unit and ready to go again.
This MB is currently fitted with an August 1942 Ford tub. Interestingly, this was the transition month between scripted tubs and those fitted with jerry can carriers, resulting in a blank tail panel.