This 1943 Willys MB was in action in Burma (now Myanmar) during WWII. After the war it was moved to neighboring Assam, India where the Indian army used it before auctioning to the general public. I acquired this Jeep in 1995, had it restored in 1996, and used it as the bridal car at my younger brother’s wedding. I drove it in 1998 over 800 miles to Calcutta Port from where it sailed via Colombo and Singapore to Southampton in the UK.
I undertook further extensive restoration in Durham, Uk, where I live and today I am the proud owner of a 76 year old Willys Jeep that is admired by all, young and old. In fact some say that I care more for the Jeep than the wife-not true!! The photos are chronologically 1995, 1996, 1998 and 2019. The Jeep has had a very historic journey round the world and is now in very safe hands.
Willys Jeep Life Story – Bill Kataky
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My dad was in the CBI theater during WW-II. He was in a unit called SACO saconavy.net and I have photos of some of the vehicles the unit had. Was there a jeep number on the side of the hood when you removed the layers of paint? As you probably know. there should be a number on the engine and with that number you can also find information about the history of the jeep. It may have been Gen Stillwell Chinese unit which he attacked the Japanese in Burma to open the Burma road going from Ledo, India to Kunming, China.
Thanks for the posting and information.
My dad was in the CBI theater during WW-II. He was in a unit called SACO saconavy.net and I have photos of some of the vehicles the unit had. Was there a jeep number on the side of the hood when you removed the layers of paint? As you probably know. there should be a number on the engine and with that number you can also find information about the history of the jeep. It may have been Gen Stillwell Chinese unit which he attacked the Japanese in Burma to open the Burma road going from Ledo, India to Kunming, China.
Thanks for the posting and information.
Great story and nice piece of history.
Great story and nice piece of history.
Hi Bill.
Great to see a jeep back from the Far East who knows what story’s it could tell . You were luck to get it out of India they have really tired to stop old vehicles leaving the country.
I’ll keep a look out for you on the road.
1946 Cj2a rebuild owner North Staffs UK.
Phil.
Hi Bill.
Great to see a jeep back from the Far East who knows what story’s it could tell . You were luck to get it out of India they have really tired to stop old vehicles leaving the country.
I’ll keep a look out for you on the road.
1946 Cj2a rebuild owner North Staffs UK.
Phil.
WOW so much history! Congratulations on your restoration and the lengths you went to taking it to the UK!
WOW so much history! Congratulations on your restoration and the lengths you went to taking it to the UK!
Many are envious of these vehicles. the real Jeeps. Dave & sasha
Many are envious of these vehicles. the real Jeeps. Dave & sasha
Hi Bill, an amazing story and a successful adventure in getting the time-machine out of India! Congrats!
I have been wanting to take my 1953 Land Rover out of India and ship it to Italy where I now live. The shipping in companies/agents in India have been advising me that it is not possible to take an old vehicle out of India. I wonder how you succeeded!
Could you kindly contact me? My email address is anithsuvarna@hotmail.com
Best regards!
Anith
Hi Bill, an amazing story and a successful adventure in getting the time-machine out of India! Congrats!
I have been wanting to take my 1953 Land Rover out of India and ship it to Italy where I now live. The shipping in companies/agents in India have been advising me that it is not possible to take an old vehicle out of India. I wonder how you succeeded!
Could you kindly contact me? My email address is anithsuvarna@hotmail.com
Best regards!
Anith