Before you buy

Primitive by modern standards, a Jeep presents a very different driving experience. The threespeed gearbox has reverse where first would normally be, and there are two other levers – one selects high or low range, the other four-wheel drive instead of the normal rear-wheel drive. It’s best to stop before changing range, and fourwheel drive only works in low.

Most operate on a 6V battery; radio Jeeps were 24V and many (both 6V and 24V) have since been converted to 12V electrics.

These are honest vehicles that will show mechanical faults fairly readily – insist on a road test of several miles if it’s road-legal, get the engine thoroughly warmed up, and check all the gears and drive options. Oil pressure should be 40-50psi on the road and 10psi at idle when hot (20psi on a Hotchkiss); temperature should sit at around 160-185ºf. Check the engine carefully for cracks in the block or head, especially around the distributor, and look for signs of oil in the coolant and coolant in the oil, either from cracks or a blown head gasket. Check for excessive smoke: worn bores/rings if worst when driving, valve guides if worst on the overrun.

A tired engine will show through low oil pressure, excessive oil breathing and leaks, and knocking sounds. A worn transmission will reveal itself through jumping out of second gear on the overrun and an excessive whining noise from the axles, transfer box and gearbox. Look for heavy oil leaks from all, and ask the vendor how often they check and top them up.