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Hotchkiss produced the M201 under licence from Willys and
from1956 to mid 1960 this consisted of 6 volt jeeps which looked very similar to
the wartime MB both externally and under the bonnet. A few differences can be
spotted on the cover of the original sales brochure (above) including
electrically operated wipers, the distinctive Hotchkiss steering wheel, solid
rather than split combat rims, and no 'notch' in the body tub above the
instrumentation by OS. There is no start button on the dashboard, the jeep had a 'heel and
toe' floor start just like the MB. Note; the wood blocks on the bonnet also the jeep
had a WW2 style blackout light at the front not visible in this photo. A
fire extinguisher was mounted on
drivers' side fender.
Reference is made by J-G Jeudi & M Tararine in the book 'La
Jeep' to the fact that body tubs were initially imported from the US leading to
speculation that the first M201s may have had notches though there is no real
evidence to support this and certainly it is missing from the jeep used for
publicity. The tyres fitted on the jeep were Dunlop Track-Grip though the army
favoured the traditional bar grip tread which was used in production.
The above illustration is taken from army manual MAT 3422/1
(1959) for the M201 6 volt jeep. I apologise for the quality but it is a
definitive illustration of the engine bay layout of an early M201 and therefore
not open to debate. Un-rebuilt examples of these early 6 volt jeeps are few and
far between but I have seen a couple and the engine bay looks pretty much
identical to the MB with the exception of data plates, labels, stampings etc
which indicate the components are of French origin.
The following photos were supplied by Serge Mangione (M201
no. 02983) of some detail of an M201 6 volt. The jeep was rebuilt at La
Maltournée in 1964 and has been fitted with a later Solex type carburettor.
Army manuals show the introduction of the M201 an
evolution followed based on
a number of technical improvements.
|
YEAR |
MODIFICATIONS |
From no. |
|
1956 |
Improved clutch plate by Aubern |
00121 |
|
1956 |
Modified jerrycan bracket |
00751 |
|
1957 |
Adjustable steering link and improvements to
strengthen gearbox & transfer box |
01056 |
|
1957 |
Larger clutch plate by Ferodo |
03406 |
|
1957 |
Further gearbox modifications |
03538 |
|
1958 |
windscreen wiper improvements including
switch being moved to the dashboard |
04544 |
| 1960 |
24 volt model introduced to replace the
6 volt model |
08829 |
|
1960 |
Modifications to body panels, aerial
mountings, headlights with integral sidelights |
10461 |
|
1960 |
Earthed exhaust pipe to reduce interference,
new Jager speedometer and cable. |
11257 |
|
1961 |
Improved oil filter housing |
13393 |
The fact that there was a
gradual evolution can make it difficult to pinpoint the introduction of some of
the revised features e.g. photographic evidence suggests that the wood blocks on
the bonnet were replaced by metal stays on the windshield during the production
run of 6 volt vehicles i.e. pre 1960.
I am grateful to J-L Martin
for providing copies of the various official data sheets used or referred to on this page
and the 24 volt page.
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