M201 - The Story Of The Hotchkiss M201 And French Jeep

There are few things more satisfying in automotive history than taking a perfectly respectable military vehicle, manufacturing it in another country and then insisting that the resulting machine possesses an entirely different national character. Such was the story of the Hotchkiss M201, France’s contribution to the wonderful world of Jeep motoring, a vehicle that demonstrated that even the French could appreciate a thoroughly American invention, provided they were allowed to build it themselves.

In M201 – The Story of the Hotchkiss M201 and French Jeep (2002), Pat Ware explores the fascinating history of one of the most interesting descendants of the legendary wartime Jeep. Published by Jeep Books, this specialist volume examines the French-built Hotchkiss M201, its development, military service and enduring appeal among collectors of historic four-wheel-drive vehicles.

The original American Jeep had proved itself extraordinarily useful during the Second World War, transporting soldiers, equipment and senior officers across terrain that would have defeated most conventional vehicles. Following the war, France found itself with a considerable requirement for reliable military transport, and the Jeep presented an obvious solution. Why develop something entirely new when the Americans had already created a vehicle capable of climbing mountains, crossing rivers and surviving treatment that would cause an ordinary family saloon to disintegrate?

Manufactured by Hotchkiss under licence, the M201 entered production in the 1950s and became a familiar sight in French military service. Closely resembling its American ancestors, it nevertheless incorporated differences and improvements reflecting French manufacturing practices and operational requirements. To the casual observer it might appear indistinguishable from a wartime Willys, but dedicated enthusiasts know that such assumptions can provoke lengthy conversations about chassis details, electrical systems and obscure mechanical components.

Ware’s book explores the development and characteristics of these remarkable machines, offering an absorbing account of a vehicle that maintained the traditional Jeep virtues of simplicity, versatility and rugged construction.

The Hotchkiss M201 enjoyed a lengthy military career, proving that a design originating in the desperate circumstances of the Second World War could remain useful for decades afterwards. Its continued service was a tribute to the brilliance of the original concept, although perhaps also an indication that military procurement departments are not always in a tremendous hurry to replace something that still works.

Today, surviving M201s attract considerable enthusiasm among military vehicle collectors, restorers and people who believe that a proper recreational vehicle should possess exposed mechanical components, minimal upholstery and an alarming ability to consume one’s disposable income.

Condition: Very Good. This previously owned 2002 copy displays only modest signs of age and handling. Unlike an elderly military Jeep, it requires no specialist restoration, replacement canvas hood or extensive investigation into fifty years of improvised electrical repairs.

Published by Jeep Books in 2002. ISBN: 0953447049.

Offered by Crappy Old Books, where we admire the splendid international tradition of taking somebody else’s excellent engineering idea and producing a national variation that keeps collectors arguing for generations.

An excellent addition to any collection of military vehicle history, French automotive engineering or classic Jeep literature. Particularly recommended for enthusiasts who appreciate that the Jeep’s greatest achievement was not merely helping win a world war, but inspiring generations of people to spend their weekends crawling underneath small olive-drab vehicles with large spanners.

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