Although forever associated with Willys-Overland, the original Jeep military vehicle was developed by American Bantam, formerly American Austin.

Designed to meet the US Army's requirement for a rugged, go-anywhere, four-wheel drive vehicle capable of surviving on the barest minimum of unskilled maintenance, Bantam's prototype was up and running by 1940, meeting the Army's requirements apart from the engine, which was deemed insufficiently powerful.

The Pentagon, though, doubted Bantam's ability to meet the military's post-Pearl Harbour demands, so the major contracts went to Willys and the Ford Motor Company, which would be responsible for the Jeep's trademark slotted radiator grille .

On offer here is a very good example of a Willys MB ¼-Ton Jeep, owned privately since 2014 by our enthusiast vendor, who is well known in the UK classic car scene.

Its fascinating story is summarised below by the previous owner, who imported it into the UK in the late 1990s.

'This Jeep was built in...