Description
Available to view at Goodwood FOS, stands 204, 211 and 212
This is the first Hotchkiss Jeep we have owned for several years. Imported into the UK in 2012 from France, the Jeep has had just one UK owner in the ten years since arriving here. These highly desirable, popular Jeeps were used by the French Army until the 1980’s, and this particular example was purchased directly from the Army by a Jeep dealership south of Paris. In 2007, the Jeep specialists rebuilt our example, stripping right down, and rebuilding it to an exceptionally high standard.
Jeep Village, the French Jeep dealership near Paris completed the restoration and marked it up to look like it had just rolled off the D Day landing beach Juno in Canadian Army colours. Most Jeeps tend to have British or US livery, this one is a little different with its Yellow and Blue Maple leaf insignia on the windshield.
On completion of the restoration the Jeep was sold to a Frenchman in the Falaise area of Normandy. It was put up for sale in 2012 having covered 2000 km's since restoration and it was then brought onto UK soil. The Jeeps UK owner carried out some modifications to make the Hotchkiss more usable, upgrades include servo assisted disc brakes, a more modern alternator and a subtlety altered more comfortable seating position. The last owner also constructed a lockable tool compartment under the rear passenger bench seat which has been based on a wartime combat modification, and also fitted hood locks and a coil isolating switch
Since being in the UK the Jeep has covered in the region of 6000 km's (now 8000 km's since rebuild) and has been MOT tested most years. The Hotchkiss has been thoroughly enjoyed covering thousands of faultless miles and has even been taken over to Normandy several times, most recently being in 2019 for the 75th Anniversary of D Day with the Military Vehicle Club. 330 YUK is an incredibly usable, strong driving Jeep that presents in excellent condition with many of its original features and tools.
