">
2022 Shannons Autumn Timed Online Auction
Lot
117

1943 Willys Jeep (LHD)

$42,000

Brisbane

Sold

Specifications

Engine 2.2-litre four-cylinder
Gearbox Three-speed manual with transfer case
Body Work Convertible
Colour Khaki
Trim Tan
Wheels Steel
Brakes Drums

Description

This lot is no longer available

The Jeep legend began in November 1940 in the early days of World War II, just a year before the United States entered the conflict. A small four-wheel-drive prototype, the Willys ‘Quad’, was delivered to the US Army. It featured the Willys ‘Go-Devil’ engine, developed by Delmar ‘Barney Roos. Contracts were awarded to both Willys-Overland and the Ford Motor Company to produce this quarter-ton, four-wheel-drive vehicle and by the end of the war in 1945, a total of 647,925 had been made – 359,489 by Willys and 277,896 by Ford. General George C. Marshall, US Army Chief of Staff and later Secretary of State, described the Jeep 4 X 4 as ‘America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare’. Famous report Ernie Pyle once said: ‘It did everything. It went everywhere. Was as faithful as a dog, as strong as a mule, and as agile as a goat. It constantly carried twice what it was designed for and still kept going.’