Canada was one of the first users of the “jeep”.
![1944 Willys MB jeep painted as Taxctical Air Force jeep.](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/DesMazes-in-Colins-jeep.jpg)
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
![Royal Canadian Artillery Ford Marmon-Harrington Half-track called a "Jeep." Camp Shilo, Manitoba, Canada, 1937.](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Jeep-1937-at-Shilo-RCA-F-M-H-half-track.jpg)
“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.![Bantam Car 5 Cwt. being tested in Canada circa 1941.](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Bantam-1024x676.jpg)
![Bantam Car 5 Cwt. being tested in Canada circa 1941.](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Bantam_1of70_Ontario_1941_PA213277-1024x846.jpg)
![Ford GP being used by Royal Canadian Air Force members in the Aleutians in 1942.](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Ford_GP_RCAF_Aleutians_rt_way-2-1024x703.jpg)
![Ford GP in Canadian Army service. Shown here on the Army Train which travelled across Canada circa 1942. I obtained this photo from a soldier who was on the train.](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/GP-on-Cdn-Army-Train.jpg)
![Canadian Contract CDLV-242 WLU-440-M PERS-1 with a Bren Gun Mk.I or Mk. IM. Circa summer of 1942 during training in Canada.](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/MB_CDLV242_Bren-1024x651.jpg)
![CWAC driving a Canadian Contract Willys W-LU 400-M-PERS-1 car 5 Cwt (jeep) in National Defence Headquarters markings (NDHQ) markings, Ottawa area circa 1942-1945](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Jeep-CWAC-NDHQ-marking.jpg)
![Canadian Contract CDLV-505 Car 5 Cwt. right after being assembled and painted at Tom Garner Ltd 'Olympia' Manchester England facility. Staff are posed as if applying Mickey Mouse Ear camouflage. September 1942 (as published by the late Bart Vanderveen in his Wheels & Tracks magazine issue # 1 p 16)](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/1942-Sept-Tom-Garner-Ltd-Manchester-England-camo-Sept-1942-WT-1-p-16.jpg)
![Major-General Worthington in the 4th Armoured Division GOC's jeep Late 1943 or January 1944 L&AC](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/General-Worthington-in-4-Dvi-COC-jeep-LAC-786x1024.jpg)
![W-LU GOC_4th Canadian Armoured Division (Canadian Army PA211629_jpeg)](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/W-LU_CDLV_242_GOC_4CAD_PA211629_jpeg.jpg)
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.![Canadian Army Ford GPW ambulance in Normandy. (Library and Archives Canada PA-140192 - cropped)](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/GPW_Normandy_Medic_mkgs_PA-140192-cropped.jpg)
TRACKED JEEPS
Canada ordered some “Tracked Jeeps” during WWII. They were not delivered in time to be used in battle.![Tracked Jeep TK Mk I at Canadian War Museum 2006 - front fenders removed](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Tracked-Jeep-TK-Mk-I-at-Canadian-War-Museum-2006-front-fenders-removed-24-1024.jpg)
![Tracked Jeep Mk. II - left side period photo.](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/TJ-Mk-2.jpg)
//
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.
![Colin Stevens with his Willys MB ex-British Airborne (1 AB Div probably post-Arnhem replacement) painted for 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion . The canvas top was not painted black as it is an original British issue one. At Beatty Street Drill Hall, Vancouver, B.C. , Canada.](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Colin-jeep-at-BCR-300-DPI-50.jpg)
![Captain Colin Stevens with 1944 WIllys MB (SN VDN-1121) at Abbotsford International Air Show, August 2000. The jeep was painted in Tactical Air Force markings.](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Colin-with-jeep-at-Abbotsford-Airshow-2000-Aug.jpg)
![Original data plate 1942 WILLYS Canadian Contract slat grille jeep CDLV-242 Serial 120602 made 2-19-42 Engine 122242](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/009-1024x768.jpg)
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.
![Willys MB-BRT (British Contract) serial number MB127345 as found 2007-06-04 port side (CMS P6030003)](https://5537d8.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/MB127345-as-found-2007-06-04-port-side-P6030003-1024.jpg)
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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