| Willys MB Frame The Willys has it's chassisnumer stamped into a zinc plate at the left front end of the chassis, on the inner side near the bumper gusset Body The Willys (and the Ford) has a small notch in the upper edge of the dashboard, in the middle. In this edge are no pointwelds visible The 2 supports located on the innerside of the tub running down from the dashboard to the floor are slightly bended The blackout light on the left frontfender has a round back 2 blocks are fitted on the hood to support the windowframe when it is down The orginal position of the MP50 antenna mast bracket was on the left side of the vehicle, according to TM-11-651-A see pic Most WWII jeeps were fitted with "combat wheels" that were made of 2 seperate pieces (from chassis# 120700) Most WWII jeeps were fitted with "combat wheels" that were made of 2 seperate pieces (from chassis# 120700) Engine The text on the engine of a Willys is different. For castingnumbers click here (see bottom of linked page) The electrical system for WWII jeeps is 6 volts, and sometimes 12 volts if required for fitting of radio-equipment etc. Hotchkiss M201 Frame The M201 has 2 different chassisnumbers: one given by the factory and one by the army. The factorynumber is stamped into the chassis itself, on the right upper front end of the chassis (see pic) Body The M201 lacks the notch at the upper ens of the dashboard. This is the first thing you should look at, because this the most difficult thing to change. In this edge are a number of very obvious pointwelds. The 2 supports are much sharper bended. The blackout light has a flat back (see pic) 2 brackets are fitted over the wipers on the windowframe to support the window when it is down (see pic) The position of the antenna mount is on the left rear corner of the vehicle, facing the rear. Most restored WWII jeeps with mount have it fitted in this more practical and safer position. M201's were fitted with solid wheels. These are identical to the ones used on Very Early Production jeeps and as such form an excellent and very affordable replacement for the original, almost unobtainable ones. I have these on my own Early MB. The window wipers are driven with one central placed electric motor on the middle of the windowframe. The connectionrods to the wipers were covered by a metal plate (see pic) A M201 has it's chassisnumber also stamped on the body, behind and above the fuelfilter. Engine: The text on the engine of a M201 is different. I hope to have a pic soon. The electrical system for a M201 is 24 volts. This means that all the electrical parts like the regulator etc. will be different than on WWII jeeps, and most likely to be of French manufacture. |
| Identification II MB / M201 |
| So you have identified a jeep as a Willys. That's nice, but, if you are in Europe, you must make another check: could it be a Hotchkiss? During the 1950's the Hotchkiss factory produced the MB under license for Willys, using the name Willys Overland France (WOF), with the military designation M201. This means that if someone offers a WOF for sale, he may legally offer it as a Willys. An unsuspecting person may purchase this jeep believing he has a original WWII jeep. This also means that a WOF is almost identical to a Willys, but there are some minor differences. The only problem is that a lot of WOF's are disguised as WWII jeeps in a more or less succesfull way, making it more difficult to identify it as a WOF. Experience is the only way to recognise these vehicles. |