My 1942 Ford GPW Jeep (Picture heavy)
Discussion
Sorry for the dirtyness in the last two pics. It was last cleaned 21 years ago....
Thats the pictures done. Now a little story behind it. My father always had a thing for Jeeps. The first time he saw one,was when he was a kid walking down Lambeth walk one night in 1943. As he was walking along the road he saw up-ahead two tiny rear white convoy lights. As he got nearer he made out the shape of a Jeep. Standing next to it were a two G.I.,s talking to a couple of girls. He swore to himself that one day he would have one. And in 1951. With cars still in short supply he managed to get himself a Jeep. Bought from dealers Pride and Clarke. Which then occupied much of Stockwell road in South London.
He had that one for about four years eventually running it in to the ground. He bought another which lasted another three years,before deciding that cars were a more comfortable option.
The one in the pictures came about in 1976. My father wanting me and my brother to experiance jeep ownership set about buying one. This was one of two he bought at the time. With this one being the better of the two and the one we eventually kept. It languished in a garage for the best part of ten years until i passed my test at 17 in 1987. I was using it for the first six months. But the time spent sitting still in the garage for ten years had taken its toll. Constant breakdowns and oil leaks were pushing my patience to the limit. Selling was never an option. I wanted it restored properly by someone who knew Jeeps inside out.
I had the person in mind. But getting him to undertake the work was going to be an ordeal,as he had already refused before after not long restoring his own one. That was a few years before. And a few years before i was driving. With time being a great healer,i approached him again. And to my surprise he decided to undertake the work.
Work began in march 1988 on a full nut and bolt restoration. With the build finished in october 1990. Much of the body work was saved,as it was fairly sound to start with. The front drivers section floor was replaced along with side panel which hold the pioneer tools. The lenth of time spent on the restoration was extended due to the fact that replacement parts had to be NOS in original boxes. I didnt want any repro parts.And parts were obtained from across the world. (If it was going to be done then it had to be done properly)You couldnt do this type of restoration today with original parts. But back then it was just about do-able.
After my one was completed Tony Sudds went on to restore five others to this standard. Four are with owners in the States. And one is owned by Kevin Wheatcroft. And part of the Wheatcroft collection at Donnington. My one is used on a regular basis and a lot during the summer months. Great to drive and nice and easy to get in to little parking spaces. Its one that will never be sold.
Daft question I suppose, but what are they like to drive? I always suspected they would be a bit like a series landy. evil len said:
Forgive my ignorance, but what engine's in these ? How does it pull (fast, slow, average) ?
Ever tempted to get a replica/deactivated machine gun for the mount ?
Its powered by a 2.2ltr side valve.It pulls quite well. Lots of torque low down and will do 65mph flat out. As for a repro gun for it. Then...............................Ever tempted to get a replica/deactivated machine gun for the mount ?
The genuine article. .50 mounted to the M31 mount.
Nice.
I don't personally like clean 'restored' Jeeps........they are a tool to be used and abused
...and I've been lucky enough to have spent many years doing just that to various ones not even owned by me 
However, as you say, you couldn't do a NOS restoration like that today, and as such, with it's family history as well, I can fully understand why you will try and keep it that way for as long as possible
(my old ex-WD BSA M20 was sold by Pride & Clarke in 1949)
I don't personally like clean 'restored' Jeeps........they are a tool to be used and abused
...and I've been lucky enough to have spent many years doing just that to various ones not even owned by me However, as you say, you couldn't do a NOS restoration like that today, and as such, with it's family history as well, I can fully understand why you will try and keep it that way for as long as possible
(my old ex-WD BSA M20 was sold by Pride & Clarke in 1949)
aeropilot said:
Nice.
I don't personally like clean 'restored' Jeeps........they are a tool to be used and abused...and I've been lucky enough to have spent many years doing just that to various ones not even owned by me
However, as you say, you couldn't do a NOS restoration like that today, and as such, with it's family history as well, I can fully understand why you will try and keep it that way for as long as possible
(my old ex-WD BSA M20 was sold by Pride & Clarke in 1949)
My father knew Mr Clarke well. Both him and Mr Pride were ex-RFC mechanics and started the business up after the first world war selling de-mobbed motor bikes.I don't personally like clean 'restored' Jeeps........they are a tool to be used and abused
...and I've been lucky enough to have spent many years doing just that to various ones not even owned by me However, as you say, you couldn't do a NOS restoration like that today, and as such, with it's family history as well, I can fully understand why you will try and keep it that way for as long as possible
(my old ex-WD BSA M20 was sold by Pride & Clarke in 1949)
Proper thing Bluethunder.
I have a June 1942 Willys which is as good as your Ford.
Also I have two script 1942 GPW's, one very nice and the other in for re-build at present.
I do have a 44 Willys in very nice condition for sale.
I would love to look at your GPW Mr Bluethunder, very nice, shame Tony has packed up, but at least he can carry on fiddling with his collection, top man.
Andy.
I have a June 1942 Willys which is as good as your Ford.
Also I have two script 1942 GPW's, one very nice and the other in for re-build at present.
I do have a 44 Willys in very nice condition for sale.
I would love to look at your GPW Mr Bluethunder, very nice, shame Tony has packed up, but at least he can carry on fiddling with his collection, top man.
Andy.
Sarge 4x4 said:
Proper thing Bluethunder.
I have a June 1942 Willys which is as good as your Ford.
Also I have two script 1942 GPW's, one very nice and the other in for re-build at present.
I do have a 44 Willys in very nice condition for sale.
I would love to look at your GPW Mr Bluethunder, very nice, shame Tony has packed up, but at least he can carry on fiddling with his collection, top man.
Andy.
I'm just glad i managed to get him to do the restoration on my one.Ive never come across another restoration like the ones he did. It will be out and about at a few shows during the summer.I have a June 1942 Willys which is as good as your Ford.
Also I have two script 1942 GPW's, one very nice and the other in for re-build at present.
I do have a 44 Willys in very nice condition for sale.
I would love to look at your GPW Mr Bluethunder, very nice, shame Tony has packed up, but at least he can carry on fiddling with his collection, top man.
Andy.
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