pogo001

Its nice to know Im not alone. Ill keep it as is, barring a few necessary touch ins. Paul

Hi. I will be changing the clutch in my Hotchkiss M201 1961, as the release bearing sounds like shaking maracas when the pedal is depressed and released. Also, the biting point is right at the top of pedal travel . My question is, being a 2.2 petrol, are there may variations of cluch kit, or was there only one type produced for simplicity? Love the site, very enjoyable and helpful. Paul

Seems to be popular to keep it rough and ready! That suits me fine ha ha. The previous owner, a 78 year old french man from the Auvergne region, used to use the vehicle every year for going into the woods, cutting his years supple of logs, and trailering them home, hence the roll cage, tow bar , bullbar and winch. He has spotlights back and front for working in the dark too. So although not under fire, it has been 'used'.

Hi. Following on from a post about colour of paint, I thought it would be interesting to have peoples opinions on what condition of a jeep or other military vehicles they prefer. I prefer the rough used look. Doesnt suit a ferrari, but for a 'working' vehicle, I dont think you can beat it. So do you guys prefer tidy/ restored, or rough and ready look? Here is my Hotchkiss, although I have taken off the bull bar. Definately rough and ready Paul

Thanks for all the ideas and replies. Its not the condition of the existing paint thats the problem, its more about scrapes and bare patches that I want to address. I think I will go for the french kaki. Its only about £12 a tin ( 1kg? Maybe 1 litre? ) I like the rough look. I have a new set of tyres on brand new rims, but will be putting the new tyres on the old rims, and selling the new ones, otherwise it will look like a tramp with new shoes on. Paul

yes, its also a time machine. Either that or I didnt have my glasses on when I set the date!! Paul

Hi. Here is the jeep, sporting its home made bull bar and winch. Ive now removed this! As you can see its on the 'too tatty' side of a work vehicle, so definately need some attention, I just have to decide how much.

Hi. I live in France, and have just bought a Hotchkiss M201....yes, not american, but guess this is the correct section, being Willys jeep related. I will have many questions in the future, but Ill start with what I hope is a fairly simple one. I am not keen on repainting the whole jeep, tatty as it is, as I prefer the ' been to hell and back' look, but I do want to touch in some scrapes and bare patches of metal. Ive been on a french site looking for olive drab, but noticed they also sell Kaki french army paint, and wondered what the correct colour for my jeep is, as now Im not so sure. Can anyone help? Paul

Hi. I have just bought a hotchkiss M201. Where should I post questions about this vehicle? I am guessing in the 'American' section as there isnt one for French vehicles? Paul

Yes, not my cup of tea........I like the idea in principle if I was in the woods pulling up tree stumps etc. I am trying to find some off road land to try her out. I will ask in the 'stupid' section . Paul

Thanks, I hope I have managed to attach some photos. Not quite St Tropez here, but argueably as beautiful. I bought the jeep from the central Massif, the middle france mountains, and the 180km drive home, although long, was wonderful. I live in the most rural, least populated area, the roads are so empty, when cycling the other day, we counted vehicles that overtook us on the 70km route.....only 8. Its ideal for the jeep, especially a newcomer like me getting used to it. I have the doors, but it got a bit hot on the drive home.

I would post a photo, but tbh, finding this site a little tricky. How do you attach a photo? Also, I want to post some general restoration questions, but cant find a section to do this. Would I post in the american vehicle section, even though officialy its a french vehicle? Hope someoe can start me off in the right direction. Paul

Hi, I am English, but I have lived in central France for 10 year. I took a shine to a Willys jeep a friend had, and a few weeks later, on a whim, have just collected a 1961 Hotchkiss M201. I dont know much about ex military vehicles, but have owned very many classic cars, and generally repair them and restore them myself. It has been used for many years in the forests of the auvergne collecting wood. It has a new french MOT, valid for 4 years for a vehicule de collection, and although a little tired , I drove it home over 100 miles. I found it very unnerving to start, but by the end of the journey, had already warmed to it, and really enjoyed the drive. There are plenty of things to do to improve it, but most will be done over winter. I got it at a steal, I think, along with a set of 4 new Michelin tyres and wheels, full weather cover, and a huge bullbar and winch attached, but this im not keen on, so will be offering this for sale on some french sites. I have a list of questions, being a total newcomer to the jeep, so will be a frequent poster. Looking forward to getting my hands dirty again. Paul