T
he immediate ‘after D Day’ period hasn’t
seen as many vehicles ‘just back from
Normandy’ coming onto the market
as expected. Still, there have been plenty of
military vehicles coming up for sale recently.
It is interesting to note that Jeep prices have
dropped slightly since the anniversary, although
not at the high end. In recent weeks we have
seen some keenly priced GMC’s come up for
sale while Holland is still the most prolifi c
country for military vehicle sale. Interesting
vehicles still turn up in Normandy – including a
recent Citroen U45 truck taken and impressed
by the Wehrmacht. Ironically it was found in the
same village as an established military vehicle
dealer’s yard – he was unaware of it. There
have been far fewer ‘barn’ fi nds in recent years
as in this era of social networking, little can
stay hidden for long. The bargain of the month
was a German jerry can found in Normandy
for just €5 at a boot fair. German jerry cans
are always sought after and often command
high prices. Even better – it was made for the
SS, with the SS insignia pressed into the steel
in large sinister letters. Worth around €150 or
more, this can is a provable Normandy relic
and that to me is the real value. Interestingly,
well for those jerry can afi cionados, apart
from the SS, only the USMC had their own
branded cans. And although rare in Europe for
obvious reasons, USMC branding doesn’t really
affect the price. Well known French armour
restorers, Military Classic Vehicles have found
a long forgotten Kübelwagen in Cherbourg.
Now, while anything is restorable if you throw
enough money at it, this one may be a major
challenge even for the accomplished Mathieu
Dumias and his team. Military Classic Vehicles
are moving to a purpose-built restoration
facility near Omaha Beach in SeptemberMilitary Vehicle Market words and pictures Nigel Hay
Nigel Hay’s round up of the military vehicle market
to accommodate their multiple restoration
commissions for major collectors in UK and
Europe. Ten years ago, there wasn’t the same
sort of market, but now the armour world is
spending good money on restorations for both
pleasure and long term investment. There has
been a noticeable growth in the number of high
net worth collectors contracting out batches of
restorations in the last year or so and a small
industry is building up around this market.
An entry level 1941 Canadian built Ford
Universal/ Bren gun carrier restoration project
was offered at £6,500 but it’s in Canada.
Sold by a genuine enthusiast, it
carries serial number 2249 and
realistically would end up at about
£10,000 landed in the UK. But is
it a viable project that you could
come out ahead on after a full
restoration?
A ready to use Abbot FV
with a low hours pack and good
tracks for £30,000 shouldn’t
hand around for long. The
fi rst part of the late Charles
Burnett’s collection has come
onto the market with a selection
of vehicles including these mainly road
registered and running: FV433 Abbot SPG,
£24,000; Hagglund BV206, £21,500; Alvis
Stalwart, £11,000; M38A1 Jeep, £7,000; Fug
OT65, £11,500; Chieftain MBT Mk10, £48,000;
CVRT Scorpion, £30,000; and a CVRT Spartan,
£15,000.
For the collector who doesn’t want a GMC,
a decent 1942 Chevrolet 1 1/2-ton Cargo
came up for sale at £18,995. With its original 4
speed gearbox it isn’t cheap, and not everyone
wants a US Navy Gray paint scheme which,
for a buyer is a negotiating point. It is still adesirable vehicle though. Other vehicles of
interest include a Volvo L4151 4x4 for £7,000,
a Combat Engineer Tractor at £11,500 and an
OT90 APC at £16,500.
The latest reality show on Quest of interest to
we military vehicle enthusiasts is Steel Buddies.
Following the day to day work of German
surplus vehicle dealer Michael Manousakis of
Morlok Motors, it is both interesting and very
entertaining – and pretty chaotic. It certainly
complements the highly successful Combat
Dealers, whose fl amboyant presenter Bruce
Crompton continues his long recovery after his
near fatal parachute accident. The fact that our
hobby has now spawned these
two TV series says something
about how our place in the
classic vehicle and collecting
market has jumped up a fair
bit in the last decade. But of
course, people do perceive
values of items of interest by
what they see on TV.
The dust has just about settled
on War and Peace and you can
read all the reports in CMV. The
military vehicle shows are a
major driving force in our hobby.
Although the shows encompass much more
than just vehicles, we need to support them and
of course the businesses who trade there – who
pay a lot of money to do so. Although the
internet had made suppliers and dealers more
accessible, there is nothing like face to face
purchase and of course the saving in postage.
Our hobby seems healthy at the moment – and
whatever you think of Brexit, it will not stop cross
channel sorties dead in their tracks. There are
plenty of good shows at home and in Europe, so
see you in a fi eld somewhere!Universal/ Bren Gun Carrier Restoration Project
at £6,A long forgotten Kübelwagen found near CherbourgCET from the late
Charles Burnett’s
collection at £11,A growing
armour world
realistically would end up at aboutclassic vehicle and collectingbit in the last decade. But of
course, people do perceive
values of items of interest by
what they see on TV.
The dust has just about settled
on War and Peace and you can
read all the reports in CMV. TheMichael Manousakis of Steel
Buddies now on Quest