The Nekaf Jeep is virtually the same car as the Willy’s Jeep, but assembled in the Netherlands. “It’s really fun to drive and it has a certain appeal to people.”
It seems to have come straight from the set of Saving Private Ryan, but Willem Roest’s Jeep certainly did not end up on our continent via the wide beaches of Normandy. On a boat from the US. In a large wooden crate, to be assembled in a Dutch factory. What does a convinced Citrophile do in a Spartan army box?
‘It wasn’t actually for sale’
Willem can still remember all too well the first ride with his Jeep. It escalates into a near-death experience. “I did not take a test drive beforehand, the Jeep went home on the trailer and after checking the tires, oil and fluids I decided to take a short test drive. That went quite well. Okay, you shouldn’t compare it with a Citroën, at most with a 2CV, in terms of simplicity. Anyway, when I picked up the pace a bit, things almost went completely wrong. From one moment to the next it started to sway violently and every steering correction only made it worse. I could already see myself lying upside down on the side of the road, but miraculously I stayed on the road and after a few hard brakes I came to a standstill.” The cause was quickly found afterwards; the steering ball joints had a bizarre amount of play. The question naturally arises why Willem chooses a Jeep over a Méhari. “First and foremost because I wanted a car that I can easily tear down. Five years ago we bought a piece of land in Wilnis, which includes a mill from 1823. We have big plans for this piece of land and in order to get through the peat soil and the dredging material, I was looking for a real workhorse. After some research on the internet, my eye fell on the Nekaf Jeep. Solid, simple and affordable.” The hunting season has now opened. Willem soon ends up at a specialist in Havelte, where this Nekaf is wasting away in a corner. “It was actually not for sale because the owner of the company did not think this copy was good enough. But I saw a challenge. A project. The bodywork wasn’t rotten and it even has a gas tank in it. Nice extra, given the high consumption. In short, we reached a deal and I was one army vehicle richer.”
Waterproof electronics
Fortunately, tinkering with a Nekaf is much less complicated than working on a Citroën SM or C6 and parts are still widely available. In the US, in China and even via AliExpress, we hear from Willem. With a set of new steering ball joints and some other adjustment work, it will soon be time for a new introduction to the public road. Once again the little green sand hare has a surprise in store. “We were just up to speed when the engine started to run worse and worse. And especially started smoking heavily. I’d say terrible. You would almost think that it is a built-in function to shake off the enemy because behind us there was a blue smoke screen that really obscured all visibility. We reached the workshop in fits and starts and were able to make the diagnosis. What turned out? The membrane in the fuel pump was torn, causing a lot of gasoline to enter the crankcase. This comes through the oil in the cylinders and causes the blue smoke.”
Fortunately, an overhaul kit was quickly found and after two evenings of tinkering, it starts and runs. Willem immediately overhauled the carburetor and since then it has been running perfectly on LPG and petrol. Willem: “The gas system is just as simple as the rest of the car. Only the electronic part works via an inverter because this car has a 24 Volt system.” Together with judge Dennis Koldewijn we take a look under the hood and we see technology that excels in simplicity. But also completely waterproof. The alternator and spark plug cables are waterproof and the air intake is also well above ground level. It is quite easy to make a recess in the hood to insert a snorkel, so that you can actually cross a ditch up to your armpits in the water.
More than satisfied
After all the overhaul and repair work, Willem can now finally enjoy the rides in the Jeep to the fullest. Afterwards he understands why Combat did not want to sell this classic. “It took quite a lot of work and not everyone is equally adept at it. I am lucky that I have my own workshop, all the tools, a lift bridge and some help every now and then. When I finally had the chassis and steering in order, the brakes were properly adjusted and the engine was running well, I could hit the road with peace of mind.” This is precisely where the Jeep pleasantly surprised Willem with its driving comfort. And that says someone who is used to a Citroën with hydropneumatic suspension! “It’s a really fun car to drive and it has a certain appeal to people. In the village I always get a thumbs up and someone regularly stops to look. Of course, most people think it’s a real one, not least because it says US Army on the hood.” But even though everything seems to be fine now, Willem still has a list of areas for improvement and so you keep tinkering. “It is old technology and almost everything can easily be overhauled. For example, the steering is not yet optimal and some oil is leaking from the differential. The handbrake is special, it works on the drive shaft, which has a small brake drum around it. The brake segments are now out, they rattled a lot and the system did not work. Repairing is not a priority but will certainly happen at some point. All in all I am more than satisfied and this is exactly the type of car I had in mind. Not in competition condition, not antique and a lot of driving pleasure.”
History of Nekaf Jeep: assembled in the Netherlands
It is not surprising that you immediately have associations with the Second World War and especially D-Day, since the original Willy’s Jeep played a major role in this. The Nekaf Jeep is almost exactly the same car, but assembled in the Netherlands. This happened at the Nederlandsche Kaiser-Frazer Fabrieken NV in Rotterdam, where copies rolled off the production line from 1948 to 1971. Hence the abbreviation Nekaf.
First from the Kaiser-Frazer brand, later models from Simca (the Aronde and the 1200 S), Plymouth and Dodge. And a Jeep. The original design is by Willys Overland, which started in 1941 with the Willy MA, which was quickly followed by the improved MB. More than half a million units were built during the Second World War, partly under license by Ford because Willys could not meet the high demand. The Jeep that Nekaf assembled is a Willys MD and was built for the Royal Netherlands Army from 1955 to 1962. Many conscripts and professional soldiers who served our country between the mid-1950s and the early 1990s once took a ride in this compact army vehicle. The Land Rover Defender took over in the late 1970s. The Domains department then sold the Jeeps largely to private individuals. Nekaf assembled the Jeep until 1958, after which production went to Kemper & Van Twist. The Dutch Jeep differs from the original in details. Such as the smaller headlights, the indicators in the nose and on the side, reflectors on the front wings and other rear lights. But most people see the Nekaf as an American Jeep and give it hero status, so success and attention are guaranteed when you tour around with it.
Owner of Nekaf Jeep
Name: Willem Roest
Year of construction: 1966
Occupation: Managing Director Citroën Aalsmeer, responsible for after-sales
First car: Citroën CX
Dream car: “I already own a few: Citroën CX GTI Turbo II, Lancia Bèta Coupé.”
Maintenance history
What has been done so far:
- Fuel pump overhaul (including vacuum pump)
- Adjust valves
- Replace oil and filter
- Replace steering ball joints
- Prepare fuel system
- Carburetor overhaul.
- Clean and adjust front brakes
- Lubricating hinge points
To do:
- Steering rack overhaul
- Replace front differential seal
- Change drivetrain oil
- Overhaul spring leaf package
- Change and overhaul handbrake construction.
Technical data
Engine: 4-cyl., inline, 2,199 cc
Max. power: 54 kW/72 hp at 4,000 rpm
Max. torque: 154 Nm at 2,000 rpm
Drive: behind or on all four wheels, via three-speed gearbox
Wheel suspension from: rigid, leaf springs, rigid, leaf springs
Brakes from: drums/drums
Dimensions (l/w/h): 3.51/1.55/1.77 m
Wheelbase: 2.07 m
Weight: 1,260 kg
Top speed: 88 km/h
0 – 100 km/h: go
Consumption avg.: 14.3 l/100 km
The opinion of Carrec Technocenter
Dennis: “Whenever I drive old defense equipment again, I always respect those who fought for our freedom and did so with cars like this Nekaf. You really have to work on this. There is no comfort and the operation requires a lot from the driver. If you can take it out as a hobby, then it’s fun. The Nekaf is in good condition and does what it is supposed to do well. The technology is well maintained, although there are some issues that need attention. But I am sure that this Jeep will put a smile on many people’s faces for a long time to come.”