UK version of the Willys jeep

[selwonk]

Was there a British equivalent to the US Willys jeep in World War II?



Presumably the Land Rover was used, but did the British forces tend to use the Willys more than anything else? It just struck me that every time I think of small vehicles in Normandy the only thing that springs to mind is the Willys?

Thanks in advance.

[a8hex]

The Landrover was first built in 1948.

[Andy Sargeant]

Every home should have one, better than money in the bank.

Andy.

[selwonk]

a8hex said:

The Landrover was first built in 1948.

That explains that then! So there was no contemporaneous equivalent then?

[aeropilot]

selwonk said:

a8hex said:

The Landrover was first built in 1948.

That explains that then! So there was no contemporaneous equivalent then?

Nope.

The British forces loved the WillysMB/Ford GPW, but just couldn't get enough of them......often resorting to aquiring them through....err.....dubious means from American units.

[KevF]

Well, in the late '40's, they did make this, the Austin Champ...bit too late for WW11 and also too expensive compared to Willys..




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Champ

Edited by KevF on Wednesday 2nd September 12:12

[selwonk]

^^^ Interesting looking beast!

Thanks chaps.

[BLUETHUNDER]

KevF said:

Well, in the late '40's, they did make this, the Austin Champ...bit too late for WW11 and also too expensive compared to Willys..




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Champ

Edited by KevF on Wednesday 2nd September 12:12

A very complex and over engineered vehicle when you srip the bodywork away. Powered by the RR B40. Great engine. And more comfortable than a land Rover.

B.t.w the first Champs didnt actually enter service till 1952.

Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Wednesday 2nd September 20:11

[DickyC]

Off on a bit of tangent, there is British involvement.

The Austin 7 was built under licence in the US as the Bantam. Bantams were used as prototypes of the Jeep; the Austin 7 Military Tourer.

And while on the subject, Austin 7s were used by Jaguar when they moved on from motorcycle sidecars to cars, with the Swallow bodied Austin 7; Lotus when Chapman's Austin 7 special was referred to as the Lotus Mk.I; Datsun when the Austin 7 they made under licence as the DAT (the initial letters of the three men who formed the company) was replaced by their development of it, the son of Dat, or Datsun and BMW who moved on from motorcycles to cars with the Austin 7 built under licence as the Dixi.

What a car.

Edited by DickyC on Thursday 3rd September 19:47

[stifler]

BLUETHUNDER said:

KevF said:

Well, in the late '40's, they did make this, the Austin Champ...bit too late for WW11 and also too expensive compared to Willys..




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Champ

Edited by KevF on Wednesday 2nd September 12:12

A very complex and over engineered vehicle when you srip the bodywork away. Powered by the RR B40. Great engine. And more comfortable than a land Rover.

B.t.w the first Champs didnt actually enter service till 1952.

Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Wednesday 2nd September 20:11

Uurgh, it's a Chump. I much prefered it's bigger brother the Humber FV1601A, but I might be biased there.

The Rolls B series engines were very good though, thirsty but good.

[selwonk]

I've clearly asked in the right forum!

Thanks for the replies folks.

[BLUETHUNDER]

stifler said:

BLUETHUNDER said:

KevF said:

Well, in the late '40's, they did make this, the Austin Champ...bit too late for WW11 and also too expensive compared to Willys..




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Champ

Edited by KevF on Wednesday 2nd September 12:12

A very complex and over engineered vehicle when you srip the bodywork away. Powered by the RR B40. Great engine. And more comfortable than a land Rover.

B.t.w the first Champs didnt actually enter service till 1952.

Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Wednesday 2nd September 20:11

Uurgh, it's a Chump. I much prefered it's bigger brother the Humber FV1601A, but I might be biased there.

The Rolls B series engines were very good though, thirsty but good.

The FV1600 series were great trucks.........



Although most have rotted away by now. Nice ones are starting to fetch good money.

For me though the RR B60 always sounded the best in one of these.....

Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Thursday 3rd September 21:53

Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Thursday 3rd September 21:54

[a8hex]

Saw one advertised recently. Thought it would make a great tool for the boss to take the kids to school in. Would reduce the car park kisses I'm sure.

[stifler]

BLUETHUNDER said:

stifler said:

BLUETHUNDER said:

KevF said:

Well, in the late '40's, they did make this, the Austin Champ...bit too late for WW11 and also too expensive compared to Willys..




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Champ

Edited by KevF on Wednesday 2nd September 12:12

A very complex and over engineered vehicle when you srip the bodywork away. Powered by the RR B40. Great engine. And more comfortable than a land Rover.

B.t.w the first Champs didnt actually enter service till 1952.

Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Wednesday 2nd September 20:11

Uurgh, it's a Chump. I much prefered it's bigger brother the Humber FV1601A, but I might be biased there.

The Rolls B series engines were very good though, thirsty but good.

The FV1600 series were great trucks.........



Although most have rotted away by now. Nice ones are starting to fetch good money.

For me though the RR B60 always sounded the best in one of these.....

Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Thursday 3rd September 21:53

Edited by BLUETHUNDER on Thursday 3rd September 21:54

The one my Dad has at home needs some work but is still in good nick. It might be for sale if anyone is interested?
I like the fact that there aren't many of the original bodied ones about. The Ministry sold them and then about 6 months later bought them back off all the farmers etc who had bought them so they could be turned into these and sent out to Northern Ireland.