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Motoring journalist Paul Guinness, a former editor of 4x4 Mart, has been reviewing off-roaders for more than 20 years for leading British newspapers and magazines. Here he steers you to the very best
Click to view Top 5 Off Road Vehicles.
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Best Classic Off-Roader (Willys Jeep) |
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 Looking for a classic vehicle with a difference? Fancy the idea of slipping behind the wheel of an all-time legend? Like the idea of wind-in-the-hair motoring combined with genuine go-anywhere capabilities? Then maybe - just maybe - an ex-Second World War Willys Jeep is the vehicle for you. |
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Watch any American war movie and the good old Willys will be a major co-star. It’s the 4x4 that brought genuine mobility to the US Army, and it’s the vehicle that single-handedly created the world famous Jeep brand. Today’s relatively sophisticated Jeep products wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the proven success of the tough old Willys.
The story of the Jeep is a fascinating one. With war clouds looming at the start of the ’40s, the US Army wanted a light, reliable and agile vehicle to replace the motorcycle sidecar combinations traditionally used for messenger and advance reconnaissance duties. The specifications set by the Army required the new vehicle to have four-wheel drive, a wheelbase of 80 inches and be light enough to be lifted by four soldiers. |
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 A number of American car makers responded with designs and, in 1940, Willys-Overland ended up producing a prototype: the Willys Quad. By the following year, and having tested various prototypes to destruction, the Army ordered 4,500 vehicles from three manufacturers – Willys-Overland, Ford and Bantam – for further testing in the field. And in the end, of course, it was the product from Willys-Overland that proved the most successful. The Willys Jeep was born.
Almost 360,000 Willys Jeeps were produced during WWII, offering such varied uses as ambulance, reconnaissance vehicle, weapons carrier, radio car, wire-layer and battlefield taxi. General George C Marshall called the Jeep "… America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare" – and he was right. Where would America and its allies have been without the legendary Jeep? |
Simple And Fun |
 So why take on a classic Willys Jeep of your own these days? Because it’s guaranteed to be fun to drive, simple to maintain, relatively inexpensive to run and a fantastic talking point everywhere you go.
The Jeep’s 2199cc four-cylinder engine (producing 60bhp) is good for 65mph, while its three-speed manual transmission is straightforward enough to use. And heading away form the tarmac, you’ll find a two-speed transfer box on board, allowing the driver to connect or disconnect power to the front axle depending on whether two- or four-wheel drive is called for. It’s all easy enough to use, enabling you to really make the most of the Jeep’s still impressive capabilities.
You can grab your own Willys Jeep restoration project for £3,000 or less, a well-preserved example for £5,000-£8,000, and a superbly restored model from £10,000 upwards. Not a huge sum of money for one of the world’s all-time greats, is it? |
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WHY TO BUY - You'll own a little piece of affordable military history that's quite a head-turner
BEAR IN MIND - It's very basic and none too fast |
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TYPICAL PRICES - £5,000-£8,000 /$9,000-$14,000
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