Canada was one of the first users of the “jeep”.

The first Canadian Army “Jeep” was a 1936 Ford-Marmon-Harrington half-track used by the Royal Canadian Artillery. The soldiers called it a “Jeep”. One of these survives and it is on display at the Canadian War Museum.
NOTICE RE: PHOTOS: Due to my closing down my old website and moving the content over to this new web site, I have to reload many of the photos and delete obsolete tables. I am working my way through the website replacing missing photos. Thank you for your patience. 2020-04-22

“The Jeep” Camp Shilo, Manitoba, 1937
The name “Jeep” with a capital “J” was used by the Canadian artillerymen at this time as is evidenced by a photo album at Burnaby Village Museum (where I am the Curator) and by another story by a veteran who was there at the time . One of the 1936 “Jeep” is preserved at the Canadian War Museum and can be seen in their VIMY HOUSE warehouse facility. The preserved example does not have the 18 pounder limber (caisson to U.S. people) bodies mounted on the rear deck (4 of them). Later when what we now know as the jeep was developed, Canada tested a couple of the first 70 jeeps made, then tested the Willys MA, bought some Ford GP jeeps, then 5,000 custom made Willys MB jeeps (called the W-LU 440-M-PERS-1) and then some ‘off the shelf’ jeeps – Willys MB, Ford GPW, Ford GPA.








Here is what I believe is the same jeep viewed from the side. Note the unique modifications.
// Stamped grill Willys W-LU 440-M-PERS-1 jeep made for the Canadian Army on contract CDLV 505. This contract was made in four batches during 1942. Early batches are “script” WILLYS, no blackout drive light etc. Later examples have no name and have the BODL etc.
TRACKED JEEPS
Canada ordered some “Tracked Jeeps” during WWII. They were not delivered in time to be used in battle.

//
Colin Stevens’ last jeep, a 1944 Willys MB jeep was brought back from overseas from Norway. VDN1121. This one was last owned by the late Jim Fraser in Arnprior, Ontario, Canada.



Over the years I have owned several other ex-military jeeps
1942 Feb 11 slat grill Willys MB serial number MB119021 (SOLD back to Federal Government at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site near Victoria, BC. Partly restored, in storage.)
- MB119021 as found, on the try before you buy test drive at Christina Lake, BC. Jeep had been brought in from Alberta.
- MB119021 in Burnaby – partly restored.
- Delivering MB119021 to Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Park.
July 2 1942 stamped grill script Willys MB serial number MB155796. Shown as found with army hard top – after jeep repainted brown from the blue; just before I sold it c. 1995. It has recently changed hands and the new owner has contacted me. I found all of the original markings on this jeep and determined that in 1943 this jeep served as a wireless (radio) jeep with Divisional Signals, 7th Canadian Division in Debert, Nova Scotia. Its DND number was 61-261. Tub number 60260.
1942 Ford GPA amphibious jeep SN GPA4545 made about Dec. 22, 1942. Shown here the day we picked it up in early 2001. Sold to a restorer in the USA.
1952 M38CDN, all original including original markings. It was used by a GSO-3 of 1 Canadian Division. SOLD.
1967 M38A1CDN2 67-07995 (ex-Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Headquarters). Sold to a collector in B.C. SOLD.

1942 Willys MB-BRT (i.e. British Contract) made March 13, 1942. Serial number 127345. Unrestored and rusty. Quite original except for grey paint.
1953 M100CDN 1/4 Ton trailer. CAR 70216 ex-Seaforth Highlanders of Canada where it was towed by the jeep above – 67-07995! This trailer was later used by the Royal Westminster Regiment.
WWII 1/4 ton jeep trailer. Maker unknown at this time. 1940s military style. Ex-California. Modified. Rear bumper, rear landing leg, over-ride brakes, extra grab handles on the frame.
For more photos of military vehicles that I have owned, including these jeeps, click here.
I am particularly interested in Canadian Contract jeeps of World War II.
I have a database of several thousand military jeeps. I have been gathering serial numbers, dates of production, contracts, engine serial numbers, script – yes or no, original painted numbers and markings, owner’s name/city/state or province/country, original markings, history etc. I try to help owners and museums as many jeeps are missing data plates and dates. I also try to put owners of vehicles made close to each other in touch with each other. So far I have found several sets of sequentially serial numbered jeeps – some now separated by a few miles, and others by over 3,000 miles. I welcome input from owners etc. to add to this data base and I am glad to try to answer questions. Ex-Canadian jeeps have turned up in Japan, Sweden, Norway, the UK, USA etc.
I am glad to help jeep owners try to date their jeeps if they have a serial number but no date. Likewise if they have an M38A1CDN2 jeep, if they have a CAR/CFR number I can probably tell them the serial number.
The G503 Jeep Web site, forums etc. Search for G503 on the Internet. A live link is not provided here as that is not a secure web site.
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