Lot Ended
Description
1943 Ford Jeep GPW
Genuine WW2 Jeep retaining
its original body tub and engine; fully restored and in excellent condition
throughout
Hailed as the vehicle which won the Second World War, the
Jeep was developed by Willys-Overland, Bantam and Ford, with production shared
by Ford and Willys. The vehicles from both manufacturers were almost identical,
the Willys designed 2.2 litre Go-Devil engine used in all models.
The inspiration for Maurice Wilkes' Land Rover, the Jeep
was the first truly practical four-wheel drive vehicle, equipped with a
three-speed synchromesh gearbox and two-speed transfer box. Hydraulic brakes
were standard, and a top speed of 65mph was on tap.
Over 630,200 were
made from late 1941 to the end of the war, split almost half-and-half between
Ford and Willys. Hugely popular with all ranks from Montgomery and Eisenhower
down, the Jeep was treated like a go-anywhere sports car, with bucket seats,
fold-flat windscreen, taut suspension and agile road holding. The design looked
right, and was right, and the Jeep has always had its admirers. Wartime examples
are now highly collectable and an industry has mushroomed to supply any part
required to restore and run them.
Properly known as a Ford Truck 1/4
Ton 4x4, this particular example entered service in August 1943, as shown on the
dash plaque and confirmed by a dating certificate from the Invicta Military
Vehicle Preservation Society. A NOVA document shows that it was imported to the
UK in 2017 which is when our vendor acquired it.
Over the last three years it has received a total
nut-and-bolt restoration with invoices for parts alone amounting to some
£13,500, all supplied by Jeeparts-UK Ltd of Colchester. This included a rebuild
of the original engine; rebuilt gearbox; new wiring loom; new windscreen; new
brakes, steering, suspension etc. Five new split rim wheels and tyres have been
fitted, along with a new canvas top and seat cushions supplied by John and Mary
Worthing.
The body tub, wings, bonnet and grille are all original
and are far superior to the reproduction Far East parts that are commonly used
by restorers. Finished in the correct shade of Matt Olive drab with blue
markings, this immaculate Jeep looks exactly as it would have done when it first
left the factory 78 years ago.
As good underneath as it is up top, it has been starting
promptly and driving nicely as we have moved it around on site with good oil
pressure. It has only covered a handful of miles since the restoration was
completed and will benefit from a period of gentle running-in before the
performance is exploited to the full.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or
email [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT