M201
SAHARA
As its name suggests the Sahara version of the
M201 was designed with the deserts of North Africa in
mind. The Sahara was not an
army modification to the standard factory issue jeep but was a Hotchkiss model in its
own right pr oduced in
batches on the factory production line. The photo
taken at the Stains factory in 1963 shows the finishing
area where a batch of Saharas complete with sand coloured
canvas can be seen in the distance behind the standard
M201s. There were many significant differences between
this and the standard M201, it was more than just a
desert sand paint job! For a start the chassis was of a
modified design including strengthening, up rated rear
suspension springs (13 leaf) and additional mounting
points for equipment like the tool box fitted at the
front. To improve the
Sahara's range a second fuel tank was fitted under the
passenger seat with a selector in the fuel line to switch
between the two tanks. To help overcome vaporisation
problems in the high operating temperatures an electric
fuel pump replaced the normal mechanical one. A cyclonic
air pre-filter was fitted on the right-hand wing to
reduce the risk of damage to the engine posed by sand in
the air.
The
tool box and its mounting brackets obscured the position
on the frame where the army serial number would normally
be stamped. To work round this the army number was often,
but not always, stamped on the
 The
diagram opposite shows the air intake arrangement incorporating the
pre-filter on the wing. I can only assume that the
pipe running down to the exhaust is to discharge sand
collected by the filter through the exhaust system using
a venturi effect. Perhaps you have a better explanation -
if so please let me know.
Unfortunately, most Saharas were later rebuilt and converted into normal jeeps probably due to the fact that there was no longer a requirement for them. I have yet to come across a complete example in private ownership today but Tim Tearle's M201 was clearly once a Sahara and exhibits many of the original features despite being converted back to standard form in about 1991. Another feature of the Sahara model was the directable spotlight on the left-hand side of the windshield which had a mounting bracket welded to the frame . It would appear from the circuit diagram (below) given in MAT 3541 that the switches for both the spotlight and the windscreen wiper motor were mounted on the windshield itself.
Thanks to 'Chaz' for locating and photographing the frame number and special windshield with bracket for me. |
side of the chassis in the
same area as the frame number. There is a possible link
between frame numbers and Sahara models in that 6 volt Saharas (pre 1960) were sometimes prefixed by 'MS' rather
than the standard 'M'. In the case of the 24 volt Saharas
(1960 onward) the prefix was sometimes 'MVS' rather than
the standard frame 'MV'. However, frames with the 'S'
included have been found where there is no evidence of
Sahara origin at all so this remains a bit of a mystery.
Thanks to 'Chaz' for supplying the photo - unfortunately
the detail has been obscured by the thickness of paint. If your M201 has
the army number stamped on the side of the frame like this or a
frame number with an 'S' in it somewhere then the chances are that
it was originally built as a Sahara model and I need to hear from
you by
This rather neat trick meant that
the normal single set of contacts (G & H) could be
used to take power to both units avoiding the need for a
second pair of contacts to be fitted (see circuit diagram
below). Note also the
switch (K) for the electric fuel pump. A further feature of the Sahara model was that it
was fitted with tyres that had a special tread pattern
for sand. Basic technical details of the Sahara can be
found in the publication 