THE BEST AVAILABLE - 1956 - Jeep Hotchkiss - M201

This Jeep is exceptional.
Not like any other.

I've had 5x M201 Jeeps over the past 10 years and I have a good idea of what they're like.
And what makes a good one.

A Hotchkiss is a lot easier to live with and use than a WW2 Jeep.
And a lot cheaper to buy.

These cars are pure fun.
I drive mine with the windscreen folded flat whatever the weather.
It's a visceral experience every time I go out in it.
Nothing comes close.

30 MPH feels like you're doing 70 MPH with no screen to deflect the wind.

This is a very early Hotchkiss being 1956.
The cognescenti will spot myriad period details.
The rest of us will simply appreciate (and love) just how cool this Jeep is.

Several years ago I bought it from a very fussy leading classic Land Rover dealer.
It was his personal car.
He, in turn, had bought it from the UK's leading classic Jeep dealer.

Before I agreed the deal I contacted the classic Jeep dealer and asked him about the car.

Here's an excerpt from the email he sent me...

"I have very fond memories of the Jeep as we took 3 days to travel down to mid France and recover it.

The seller spoke no English so we used sign language to communicate and had a large dilapidated château just like Jack Straw Bridge.
It was packed full of old antique furniture and fittings.

The jeep had been lying unused at his late friends house since 1990.
He was selling it for his late friends widow.
He knew nothing about cars so had purchased a new battery hoping it would just start up.
The fuel tank was half full but the petrol was 15 years old so it was never going to start like that.

We managed to start it by putting a splash of fresh petrol directly down the carburettor inlet , it would run on the old stale petrol once started but it wouldn't start on the old stuff as it had lost its combustability.

The engine would only fire on 3 cylinders because one exhaust valve wasn't seating properly and with brakes binding hard the jeep was difficult to road test but because the metalwork and original condition of it was so exceptional I was quite happy to buy it and take a risk on what was causing the misfire.

It could have been something major like a broken piston but lucky for me it was just the valve so once the head was off I re ground all 8 valves, fitted all new wheel brake cylinders, 2 new front flexi hoses , one or two other jobs but can't quite remember as several years have passed by since.

I do still have the lovely memories of the trip and some pictures on my files..."

I'm such a huge fan of this Jeep I've owned it twice.
I bought it and used it.
Sold it.
And bought it back.
It's that good.

This car runs like a proverbial Swiss watch.
I'd get in it and drive anywhere.

I'm 6'3" and I can drive it without any problems.
The driver's seat has been slightly adjusted giving more room.

Mechanically the Jeep is spot on.
No issues whatsoever.
The coachwork is totally original with no patches or rust.

The patina is perfect and impossible to reproduce.
The weather equipment is new and unused.
Faultless throughout.

No need for MOT or road tax.
£127 per annum to insure fully comp.

If you are genuinely in the market for a genuinely fabulous Hotchkiss then you'll love this car.
It ticks every box and drives like a dream.

NB
No silly WW2 markings or stars.
No silly ariels or radio equipment taking up space.

Time is precious so please don't waste your time our mine by calling for a chat.
Only serious buyers with funds available please.

Any inspection welcome.

Registered in my name at my address.
This is a private sale.

Many thanks.

I'm in Rye, East Sussex.