From the estate of the late Roy Jackson 1943 Willys...

1943 Willys MB Jeep
Registration no. MXS 613
Chassis no. MB 268644
• Imported from the USA in 2019
• Restored circa 2020
• Little used since completion
• Ideal period transport for this year's Goodwood Revival Meeting

Although forever associated with Willys-Overland, the original Jeep military vehicle was developed by American Bantam, formerly American Austin. Designed to meet the US Army's requirement for a rugged, go-anywhere, four-wheel-drive vehicle capable of surviving on the barest minimum of unskilled maintenance, Bantam's prototype was up and running by 1940, meeting the Army's requirements apart from the engine, which was deemed insufficiently powerful. The Pentagon though, doubted Bantam's ability to meet the military's post-Pearl Harbour demands so the major contracts went to Willys - the only other firm that had submitted a tender - and the Ford Motor Company, which would be responsible for the Jeep's trademark slotted radiator grille. Willys made various modifications to take advantage of a revised maximum weight requirement, which meant it was able to use its relatively heavy but adequately powerful 'Go Devil' engine.

The ubiquitous Jeep saw service in every theatre of the Second World War and continued in military service with armies world-wide for several decades thereafter. Today the Jeep remains highly sought after by discerning military vehicle enthusiasts.

According to handwritten note in the cars file, this MB Jeep was delivered to the US Army on 29/09/1943 and transferred to the USMC circa 1944. An old Nevada ownership certificate from 1971 confirms the car belonged to a Kenneth Berg of Tonopah. An affidavit of non-operation by Mr Berg to the Nevada motor vehicles department confirms the Jeep was not driven or moved on public highways until 1992. Imported into the UK in 2019 by a Mr A Baker, it was sold to the late Mr Jackson in 2020 (bill on file).

There are photos on file of the Willys in its unrestored state in 2020 together with a substantial quantity of bills for parts obtained from various specialists, which alone total circa £11,000. Presented in restored condition, the Jeep has seen little road use since the rebuild's completion; a careful inspection is recommended before road use. Offered with a UK V5C. A rare and desirable trailer is included in the sale. The vendors estate has confirmed that this is a genuine WWII trailer, authenticated by the road mud guards. This example is worthy of closer inspection.

Roy Jackson was born in the middle of WW2 in the North West of England near Lancaster. He spent his boyhood fishing the local rivers and lakes and shooting. His father was also a car enthusiast and Roy's formative years were spent watching him race his Triumph and Lagonda in local races such as the Barbon Hill-Climb. He was always involved in his dad's motoring escapades, learning to drive in cars considered classics today on the driveway of the family home. Roy's first car restoral was a 1932 Alvis Firefly which he worked on in his father's building yard when he was a teenager. This project ignited in him an ambition to become a fully-fledged mechanic. However, his father had other ideas and wanted him to enter the family construction business, so Roy went and studied Civil Engineering. This was a profession he grew to love and he became managing director of the company at a young age, successfully running it until his retirement in 2013.

Since 2013 Roy had no wish to live the life of a regular retiree. Rather he saw this as the opportunity to resurrect the dreams of his youth and to start to restore classic cars as he had wanted to in his younger days. His home, a converted Cumbrian farm, was the perfect venue for his new career and these restorations became his life. Working together with his son-in-law Seb Morgan, what started as a dream quickly evolved. The workshop they built together became renowned locally and further afield. Roy and Seb rebuilt 26 classic cars and military vehicles over the 11 years they were working together, including the vehicles listed by Bonhams in this auction which are offered from his estate.