A couple of us commented on that Hotchkiss jeep that is for sale (view here).  I mentioned that Hotchkiss didn’t start building jeeps in 1942, so I doubted the year.  Alex noted that a variety of early jeep parts were recycled through the E.R.G.M. works at La Maltournee.  Since it had been a while since I had checked out the Hotchkiss related m201.com website, I went there to learn more about the Maltournee  jeeps, which are sometimes called “Malt” Jeeps.

Well, it turns out that the name “Malt” actually refers to four specific jeeps:  Malt 1, 2, 3 & 4.  According to m201’s website:

Jeeps re-manufactured from WW2 parts at La Maltournée are often referred to as ‘Malt jeeps’. However, the term more correctly applies to four specially prepared jeeps, Malt 1, 2, 3 & 4. These were used at shows where they would be driven into the arena by a team of four men who proceeded to dismantle the jeep. The parts were then passed through a small opening before being reassembled on the other side and finally driven back out of the arena – all in less than ten minutes! Various special modifications made this possible, e.g. the bodywork being divided into two parts.”

I searched and searched, but could only find one picture of a “Malt” Jeep, which is at the m201 site.  Note there appears to be a seam in the body at the rear wheel well so it can be disassembled (SEE PIC UPPER LEFT).  The bigger question is, what happened to those special jeeps?

I suppose it is similar to competitions like this back in 2009: http://www.ewillys.com/?p=39373

Or the more widely seen parade jeep that is quickly disassembled and re-assembled.

Or like this competition captured in Olyslager Organization’s book “The Jeep“.