Feb 1942 Willys MB Slat Grill

I have decided to part with my very nice early 1942 (123045) Willys MB Slat Grill to enable me to focus finances on other projects.

The Jeep has a Date of Delivery of 25 March 1942 but was almost certainly built during late February 1942 and due to a probable test drive fail was held back for repairs. The Data Plate (original) 123045 matches the non-molested chassis plate which with the original tub number 23765 provides the late February date.

The vehicle has just completed a trouble-free Normandy trip of around 800 miles. It has good oil pressure when driving of just above 40lbs and settles to around 17lbs on idle.

I am looking for a sensible offer which reflects the vehicle but around £30,000 would grab my attention, conversely silly offers will be ignored. I might consider a restored British WW2 motorcycle in part-ex with cash adjustment.

It is a highly original. It still has its original tub, chassis, instruments, seats, stubby axle, early half-shafts, correct pintle hook, early gearbox protection plate, early sump, inlet manifold, original slat grill wings, bonnet, ignition switch, glove box lock, window catches etc. It has been subject to a body off and, ‘where necessary’ restoration, basically if something did not require touching it was left alone. The number of original new parts and work carried out is too long to mention here but it was substantial. The vehicle is 6v and starts on-the-button hot or cold.

Replacement parts have included, correct pancake (repro) air filter, rewired, new rear springs, rear shock absorbers, spring clamps, fixing plates, spring shackles, replace early fuel tank with its original filler cap. Rear slave cylinders and brake shoes. Correct pattern early pattern canvas seats.

The vehicle is a real rarity as it was one of the first (ever) 250 Jeeps delivered to the Australian Army during WW2. Australian War Memorial records and enthusiasts down-under have enabled a good picture of its wartime service to be revealed. Records show that having arrived in Australia the Jeep was re-assembled at a cost of 18 shillings ($1.80) and took 6-man hours to build. It was declared operational within the Army on or about the 13th July 1942 by the 1st Australian Ordnance Depot Rutherford NSW. It was converted for jungle warfare and has the correct matched outer body colour (inside remained as per production), remounted shock absorbers and several other minor WW2 changes. The bonnet number (79545) is shown in the AWM books along with its disposal details. Divisional signs are as correct as research has shown making it highly likely it served in Papua New Guinea. In 1952 the Australian Army replaced the original engine with MB247493 (1943) which is still in it. Demobbed in NSW on 07/11/1960 and registered privately until import to the UK in 1994. I have its NSW original registration plate which came with it.

A rare Jeep under any circumstances but its history and originality make it in my mind special.

Thanks for reading.