M201 database

[Havran]

Hello Andy,

so many informations just from numbers! Every time when I get some M201, I will give you all numbers for your database. When I meet somebody who has M201 I will ask him to let me check his numbers and send to you. So many thanks for comprehensive informations.

take care
Jan

[andym201]

That would be great! The database represents about 12 year's work but it is far from being complete so every little helps.
It's always important to get as many of the different numbers from the jeep as possible and if it's still in original army condition a photo or two - particularly if the original registration number is visible on the front bumper.

Look forward to hearing from you when you get some more details.

[REG]

A good friend has an M201 and I will get the details of original numbers from him.

He also has a radio Jeep - and the radios to fit in them.

My GPW has a hotchkiss block - check the passenger side for the date of manufacture. Mine is 1989 (I think - will check)

There are a few WWII heads in those photos

[andym201]

Thanks - I always look forward to some new numbers for the database.

[Havran]

Hi Andy,

I´ve got something for you. First one is from Morocco and numbers are:

chassis: 26204
front right rail and glovebox: 24060
body: H25945
frame rear: 2412298
no malt plate

[Havran]

And 2nd one is from Algiers and numbers are:

chassis: 13553
body: H12778
glovebox and front right rail: 12124
rear frame: 2011945
no malt plate

[andym201]

Sorry for taking so long responding to this but it was worth the wait as I have had to do a lot of research.
The first jeep (army serial 24060 - Hotchkiss serial H 26204) is very interesting.
The registration number 241-2298 indicates that it was built in 1964 but the high number of 2298 indicates that it was transferred to the army some time after 1964 as only about 1500 jeeps were made that year.
So here's the story and it has taken a lot of time and a bit of luck to find out more.

It is one of a batch of fifty M201s which were sent to Africa as part of the French Government programme of support for the armies of the former colonies. As far as I can tell, during the 1960s new jeeps were sent each year. After a year or so some, possibly all of the jeeps, were handed back to the French army and another batch of new jeeps were supplied. Most of the jeeps stayed in Africa with French forces serving there.

In the case of the batch that included your jeep the process went like this....
Early in April 1964 - a batch of 50 army serial numbers (24010 to 24060) were reserved for jeeps that had not yet been manufactured.
Later in April 1964 - the batch of 50 jeeps (H 26154 - H 26204) were manufactured and sent to Africa.
They were not given the army serial number at this time or an army registration as they would not become army property until later.
It seems that officialy their serial numbers were GMC 0001 - GMC 0050. I have no idea what GMC stands for in this context (can anyone help?) I don't think that this was stamped on all of the jeeps but it was certainly stamped on one example that went to Tchad - GMC 0011. (Hotchkiss serial H26159)
During 1965 or later - the jeeps were returned to French army ownership and were replaced by another batch of new jeeps to continue the aid programme. On return to the French army the jeeps were given the army serial number that had been reserved for them and a registration number indicating that they were manufactured in 1964 but were transferred to the army later than 1964.
There are few examples for which I have any information as most appear to have stayed in Africa ending up being sold at auction there.
I hope this was worth the wait.

[andym201]

The second jeep is much easier to explain.
It was one of the last M201 jeeps to be manufactured and issued in 1960.
The serial number given by the army (12124) indicates that it passed directly into army ownership at that time.
It was not rebuilt but look carefully at the photos - the original factory fitted Paris Rhone regulator and dynamo have been replaced by the Marchal type. Quite possibly other components have been replaced as well. The tub number H 12778 is consistent with it being the original according to the database.

Thanks for the great photos and the chassis numbers. It is only possible to answer some of the M201 mysteries as a result of all the M201 owners who have taken the trouble to send me the numbers from their jeeps.

There is still much work to do on the database so if you own an M201 please, please, please send me the numbers.
An explanation of chassis numbers can be found on my website at http://www.m201.com/chassis/chassis.htm
There are links at the bottom of the page to download a chassis identification chart.

[Havran]

Hello Andy,

what a great informations! Your researches are really interesting! If you would need some photos of any details, just let me know. I also will keep you posted when I find some another interesting M201. Keep up good work.

best regards
Jan

[Horst]

2 of the jeeps shown have a remote brake fluid reservoir. Anybody knows if this was done by private owners or already something the military did?

[andym201]

Hi Horst

I'm pretty sure this was not an official army modification and I never saw it on jeeps that came to the UK directly from the auctions. It is however a fairly common modification made by French owners.

Andy