GoranWC51

Hi, and welcome to the friendly forum. Where in central Florida do you live? I'll be going to Orlando with the family March 31-April 13. Goran N

Shiny paint job.... G

Welcome guys! Alta is waaay off! Nice work getting your Jimmie to Holland- You can find our website at http://www.MVBros.com Micha/Holland & Goran/Sweden Goran N

Here's another pic: (Is the Jeep US or Canadian?) Goran N

High visibility vests are mandatory in France. You have to have one in your vehicle. Fines for not having one are around 150€, I've been told. Goran N

They're definitely worth 1200£.... If someone is willing to pay 1200£.

This last Sherman (From India?) - Can it possibly be a DD one? Goran N

The Wings of Liberation museum is well worth a visit. Most of the vehicles in the museum have been restored into running condition, apart from the Sherman in the picture, which is just a gutted shell. I also met the radio guy (his name eludes me) and he showed me around his treasures. Among them a working Lancaster radio set up. Goran N

Hope you'll be able to pass that 30 year exemption. We've had it in Sweden for years now. We did, however, have to fight the politicians to get it. Keep the pressure up, and good luck. Goran N Lidingo Sweden

Good thinking, Tony! That might be the problem, or a part thereof. I had big problems with vapor lock on my WC51 for years, until I finally bought a new copper fuel line (I know, some say you shouldn't use copper, but it worked for me) a bit longer then necessary, and re routed it in an arc, as far away as possible from the heat source, the exhaust. Haven't had any problems since, even in the midst of summer, in stop and go traffic jams. Goran N

Heja Bengtsfors! Looking good. I'm sorry I missed it, but my Dodge WC51 is still in pieces being restored. Hope to be able to come next year. Have you decided a date yet? I recognize that Tatra, it has participated in several of the MFHF rallies in Malmköping. Göran N Lidingö

It seems to be remnants of an original "Schwimmer" that the seller has started to restore. The ad states that new sides need to be constructed and that other metal parts (repros) are available. Its just the body, no frame, so buyer has to find a original or other frame to register it. I am sure its worth the money for someone that has the knwoledge, tima and money to restore it back to its original condition. WW2 German vehicles, especially Schwimmwagens are getting worth tons of money. I doubt an incomplete "Schwimmer" like this wouldn't have sold for very much a few years ago. Hope it sells to someone who'll restore it... Goran N

I think that he actually drove a Hotchkiss M201, posing as a genuine wartime Jeep, and not a WW2 Willys MB/Ford GPW. The series wasn't bad, though. He presented it well. Goran N

Found it! Here's a picture (and some text) of the famed "WW2 Jeep": I believe that the guy standing on the drivers side was the guy we ran into at that petrol station in Normandy.... Goran N

The wine making business is till in action. They apparently produce some fine, award winning, champagne. Not bad. The story of the WW2 Jeep giving it its name has been toned down somewhat, though (Google translate of the French text): "The history of the*House*Jeep,*even if*we find*traces*of the workers*in the archives ofwine*Damery, dated*1743,*actually began*in 1944. At this time, back from*World War II,*Armand*Goutorbe, son of*Victor*Goutorbe, decided to develop and*market its*Champagne.*Handicapped by*a*bad injury*which*had posed serious problems*to*walk the*vines, he could*buy*through the*government of the day,*a Jeep. This*Jeep*has always*cherished*it*became*over time,*a key element*for the future, sincein order*to differentiate themselves*from*the many*Goutorbe*Region, also*wine,*named Armand*Goutorbe*Champagne*JEEP*brand. This*memorable*day*was*forever marked*by the creation*of a*poster by*Capiello,*great painter and*poster artist*who immortalized*the moment*the Jeep brand*..." One cannot help but wonder how they get away with using the "JEEP" name. Chrysler who owns the copyright usually hunts down and clobber people that use it. Goran N

Ran into a French guy at a petrol station in Normandy. He had a CJ3B Jeep on a trailer, painted olive drab and with the star on the bonnet. He passed around a brochure about wine that was produced on his dad's farm "Jeeper". The guy claimed that it was a true WW2 Jeep and that it had been given to his father by the French Government after the war since the father had been wounded during the war. We pointed out that the Jeep he had was built in the 1950's and not 1942-45 and explained why by showing him photo's of the "real thing" The guy got very, very upset and started screaming at us and finally drove off.... heheheh, Goran N

A Swedish guy worked for a aid agency in Sri Lanka a few years back bought himself and the family 3 WW2 Jeeps, and used them as local transports. He brought them back to Sweden and sold them off in no time. The Jeeps were mainly in good condition but had a few "backyard mechanics" additions to them, and some of the bolts had been screwed in place using only their fingers... Goran N

Hi Higgins, Very nice little Austin you have there. Seems complete and in pretty rust free condition. We've just bought a 1939 Hillman Minx Staff Car from a seller in Scotland. The car is dismantled and the body has been sand blasted. The blasting showed some rust, but nothing that can't be fixed. We are looking for parts for it, brakes among others. Good luck, Please check our website where we soon will be showing pictures of our Hillman: http://www.MVBros.com You can reach me at goran_noren[at]yahoo[dot]com Goran N

Interesting to see that all four tanks heading the parade were from the batch that came out of Portugal in the early 1980's, three Canadian M4A1 "Grizzly" and a Canadian Sexton. I bought my 1945 Dodge WC51 at a Nato auction just a couple of weeks before the celebrations in 1994. I changed oil and fluids, got a tarpaulin from John & Mary Worthing (Still used and in great shape-still), and drove off from Stockholm. Drove 3500 kms+ in 2 1/2 weeks. The picture was take in Portsmouth just before leaving for the ferry over to France. Goran N

My deepest condolences to his family. We have a problem with our slow moving vehicles on modern roads. Things are not helped by lorry drivers driving like maniacs. I just returned from a road trip to Holland to check on the progress of my 1945 Dodge WC51 restoration. On the way down I had to call the police, as a 18 meter long heavy lorry (Polish) was driving very dangerously and weaving back and forth over both lanes on the motorway.... My guess is that he was A/ Intoxicated B/ Dead tired C/ Both. He was inches away from causing a bad accident. We will make a trip to Italy in the summer of 2012 and I plan to equip all the participating vehicles with a yellow flashing light in the rear, to make ourselves more visible to approaching vehicles. A sad, sad day..... Goran N Lidingo Sweden

The Jeep's a Hotchkiss M201, French copy of the WW2 Jeep. The cooking trailer might be German, possibly post war. Goran N

Hi, Here's a picture of the Hillman before it went off to be sandblasted. Turns out that rust had not eaten too much of the body, but was very repairable. The lower picture, obviously, shows a restored Hillam Estate (Picture taken off the internet) Markings? Most Hillmans seem to be marked as RAF vehicles. What other parts of the military used them too? Army? (Mickey Mouse Camo would look good) I'm sorry to admit that British WW vehicles are not not my forte [even though I love their "quirky" looks-and that in a kind way:-) ] Goran N

Hi Ken, That would be super, thanks! Please contact me at goran_noren[at]yahoo[dot]com. Any help much appreciated. How long did you own it? Kind regards Goran N

British vehicles are new to me/us and we are wondering a bit about the availability of parts for a 1939 Hillman Estate that we're planning on getting. The vehicle is said to be 90% complete.... (We hope ;-)) Technical manuals, repair manuals are handy, to start with. Any tips on vendors that specialize in Hillmans? Thanks, Micha and Goran http://www.MVBros.com

The "Sugga" or Sow was built up much in the same way as the Dodge WC. The Volvo carburettor has been used by many Swedish Dodge WC owners as it supposedly gave a better mileage than the original carbs. Only around 700 were made and a lot of them have been heavily modified, with V8's (Ouch!!!) and BIG wheels. The few original ones left are getting more collectable, and expensive to buy. Goran N