New Family Member: 1943 Ford GPW Jeep!
Discussion
Hi all,
After a search of @ 3 years I have finally found 'the one'! He is 1943 vintage and has been mechanically restored to a level I have rarely seen (an am in awe of) by a chap who also conducts car restorations on exotic metal such as Astons, Ferraris and MK1 Ford Mexico's.
During strip down, the Jeep revealed itself to be a genuine USN version, hence the colour which was matched to the stripped panels. Wherever possible, parts were refurbed and re-used.
At the moment, my only scheduled changes will be the removal of the hood star and '20 number' as I am pretty sure USN didn't have those markings. I have the chassis number so will look to research a bit more on it's history and see if I can glean a clue what numbers it should have had.
However, decal change is minor - I really applaud the restorer for doing a job I could never do and securing the future of a little piece of WW2 history.
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/WRLws4dH.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/NeKKKU8o" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/NeKKKU8o.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/JlDYPphH" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/JlDYPphH.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/wUXQmJrf" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/wUXQmJrf.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/wZmdCdHD" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/wZmdCdHD.jpg)
After a search of @ 3 years I have finally found 'the one'! He is 1943 vintage and has been mechanically restored to a level I have rarely seen (an am in awe of) by a chap who also conducts car restorations on exotic metal such as Astons, Ferraris and MK1 Ford Mexico's.
During strip down, the Jeep revealed itself to be a genuine USN version, hence the colour which was matched to the stripped panels. Wherever possible, parts were refurbed and re-used.
At the moment, my only scheduled changes will be the removal of the hood star and '20 number' as I am pretty sure USN didn't have those markings. I have the chassis number so will look to research a bit more on it's history and see if I can glean a clue what numbers it should have had.
However, decal change is minor - I really applaud the restorer for doing a job I could never do and securing the future of a little piece of WW2 history.
Hi
Thanks for the welcome. Have to agree on the keeper element. Your one looks a peach too! My one is 700 miles into post shake down mode and have been warned there will be teething problems to resolve but i can live with that. i know i need to buy a wheel jack and brace; can you still get the period kit or is it a trip to halfords?
Thanks for the welcome. Have to agree on the keeper element. Your one looks a peach too! My one is 700 miles into post shake down mode and have been warned there will be teething problems to resolve but i can live with that. i know i need to buy a wheel jack and brace; can you still get the period kit or is it a trip to halfords?
Stars coming off bonnet and back. I'm also removing the side number and 'S' as that is very much army. i've so far worked out the Jeep is likely to have been 'born' in January 1943.
As for colour provenance, the strip down revealed that colour blue in several places although, to be a genuine Aspies Jeep owner, the chassis and inside of the wheel fenders should probably still be green but it looks pretty so i won't be touching those parts
))
As for colour provenance, the strip down revealed that colour blue in several places although, to be a genuine Aspies Jeep owner, the chassis and inside of the wheel fenders should probably still be green but it looks pretty so i won't be touching those parts
))
Okok. I'm at War and Peace down in Folkstone at the moment. Ill see if they can drive a tank over it tomorrow and Ill start again. The wrong shovel is the last straw😀
Talking of which, I met Bruce from Combat Dealers today. Really nice bloke who had time for everyone who came up to him. when he found out we lived close to each other he kindly invited me round to see his toys! My new best mate!!!
Talking of which, I met Bruce from Combat Dealers today. Really nice bloke who had time for everyone who came up to him. when he found out we lived close to each other he kindly invited me round to see his toys! My new best mate!!!
Yep, it's a 3 speed box. Hi lo tsfr box. So far ive only driven once and i didnt once achieve 1st to second on my own! The speedo is buried down on the dash so i dont have a clue how fast i went. Forget a handbrake. Hill starts are more biting point vs throttle. Overall, crude, demanding and utterly utterly addictive.
I discovered today my Jeep's actual birthdate is 1-1-43.
Also, researching the colour of USN Jeeps has thrown up this:
''The following is adapted from U.S. Navy Automotive Transportation, Bureau of Yards and Docks, 1949. Other sources indicate that the same or similar regulations were in effect at least by August 1944, including use of medium gray No. 123 as the color for U.S. Navy vehicles.
The basic color for all United States Navy transportation vehicles shall be medium gray No. 123 as set forth in color card supplement (21 April 1943) of the United States Army Specification No. 3-1. The specific paint referred to is a gloss color synthetic enamel and its detailed specifications are covered in United States Navy Specification No. 52-E-7, Type III.''
So, prior to April '43, it appears the colour a USN Jeep got painted was an on-base activity using whatever paints they had to hand. Therefore, this is consistent with the richness of the unusual colour discovered on restoration and applied over the OD.
Also, researching the colour of USN Jeeps has thrown up this:
''The following is adapted from U.S. Navy Automotive Transportation, Bureau of Yards and Docks, 1949. Other sources indicate that the same or similar regulations were in effect at least by August 1944, including use of medium gray No. 123 as the color for U.S. Navy vehicles.
The basic color for all United States Navy transportation vehicles shall be medium gray No. 123 as set forth in color card supplement (21 April 1943) of the United States Army Specification No. 3-1. The specific paint referred to is a gloss color synthetic enamel and its detailed specifications are covered in United States Navy Specification No. 52-E-7, Type III.''
So, prior to April '43, it appears the colour a USN Jeep got painted was an on-base activity using whatever paints they had to hand. Therefore, this is consistent with the richness of the unusual colour discovered on restoration and applied over the OD.
_Leg_ said:
b
ks, now I'm surfing the classifieds looking at Jeeps. I promised the Mrs I wouldn't buy any more cars. Damn you Pistonheads, damn you!
Give into the voices - I did ks, now I'm surfing the classifieds looking at Jeeps. I promised the Mrs I wouldn't buy any more cars. Damn you Pistonheads, damn you!) the thIng is it opens up a whole world of new want wants: Dodge WC 51's, a Red Ball Express Deuce and a Half; Ferret Armoured cars (@£11k). They can get wet, muddy, put miles on them and not worry if the paint isn't polished !! Its been my road to damascus moment hehe. Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff