Willys MB Jeep.
Discussion
There are (or were) a couple of guys on here that have Willys/Ford GPW's.
I've not owned one, but have done lots of miles in other peoples, icluding trips to Normandy and Arnhem etc.
They arn't cheap now (10k+ for a good one) but definately worth sratching that itch, as they are huge fun.
I've not owned one, but have done lots of miles in other peoples, icluding trips to Normandy and Arnhem etc.
They arn't cheap now (10k+ for a good one) but definately worth sratching that itch, as they are huge fun.
aeropilot said:
There are (or were) a couple of guys on here that have Willys/Ford GPW's.
I've not owned one, but have done lots of miles in other peoples, icluding trips to Normandy and Arnhem etc.
They arn't cheap now (10k+ for a good one) but definately worth sratching that itch, as they are huge fun.
Yep, was aware of budgets, seen an example of a rare variant for around 10k and just wondered if it's one of those stupid money pits that never, ever repay you, or a good, fun classic. I've not owned one, but have done lots of miles in other peoples, icluding trips to Normandy and Arnhem etc.
They arn't cheap now (10k+ for a good one) but definately worth sratching that itch, as they are huge fun.
Any ideas what to look for etc?
aeropilot said:
They arn't cheap now (10k+ for a good one) but definately worth sratching that itch, as they are huge fun.
I sold my immaculate just restored MB for £400 mind that was 1974.OP, I doubt a proper Jeep will ever lose you money and afaik parts are readily available and not too expensive plus there's not that much too them so once you have a decent sorted one it will go forever. What model have you seen, do you have a link to the ad?
Crossflow Kid said:
And what of the anorak-nophobia that goes with them? Yer know, weekends in camping fields labelled "Rallies and special events only"...rivet counters...sleeping under an itchy blanket in a pup tent in order to be taken seriously...all that?
Well yes, you WILL encounter all sorts of rivet counting and oddness with military vehicle types.Not my cup of tea, using them and abusing them (as their original owners did
) was what I enjoyed.People who spent a fortune 'restoring' a Jeep or whatever to look like some modern concours show vehicle I find quite odd. But it takes all sorts.
I've driven 'em in all weathers, including winter with no top and the screen dropped.....
Fair weather use my arse
Crossflow Kid said:
Yep, was aware of budgets, seen an example of a rare variant for around 10k and just wondered if it's one of those stupid money pits that never, ever repay you, or a good, fun classic.
Any ideas what to look for etc?
Rare..... hmmmmmm.......... other than an original very early Bantam type, I can't think of any rare variant...???Any ideas what to look for etc?
10k is about the benchmark for any Willy/Ford in good well restored condition.
aeropilot said:
Rare..... hmmmmmm.......... other than an original very early Bantam type, I can't think of any rare variant...???
OK, not so much the variant, but the role it's been restored to represent. Not Out-of-this-world unusual, but just different from the platoons of US Army and USN Shore Patrol insignia out there.
Crossflow Kid said:
OK, not so much the variant, but the role it's been restored to represent.
Not Out-of-this-world unusual, but just different from the platoons of US Army and USN Shore Patrol insignia out there.
Aah.... OK.Not Out-of-this-world unusual, but just different from the platoons of US Army and USN Shore Patrol insignia out there.
Although, actually, I can't say I've seen too many USN marked Jeeps around.... one or two maybe at most.
The vast majority are US Army/USAAF marked with a smaller less percentage in British.
aeropilot said:
The vast majority are US Army/USAAF marked with a smaller less percentage in British.
"I've got lunatics laughing at me from the woods, my original plan has been scuppered now my Jeeps haven't arrived, my communications are completely broken down. D'you really believe any of that could be helped by a cup of tea?"Crossflow Kid said:
"I've got lunatics laughing at me from the woods, my original plan has been scuppered now my Jeeps haven't arrived, my communications are completely broken down. D'you really believe any of that could be helped by a cup of tea?"
Done that 20+ blokes in full Airborne kit in 5 full spec Airborne Jeeps from the Ginkel Heath drop zones along the exact routes of the 1st Airborne Recce Sqn towards Arnhem.
)Damn, bought Octane. Want one even more now 
So, what's the view of acquiring one, and subject to it not being uber-rare or really special, repainting it in one's own desired unit markings and colour scheme? Is that a bit sacrilegeous?
I assume there must be loads out there painted to represent a unit, Service or even Nation they never went near.
So, what's the view of acquiring one, and subject to it not being uber-rare or really special, repainting it in one's own desired unit markings and colour scheme? Is that a bit sacrilegeous?
I assume there must be loads out there painted to represent a unit, Service or even Nation they never went near.
aeropilot said:
Crossflow Kid said:
I assume there must be loads out there painted to represent a unit, Service or even Nation they never went near.
Pretty much all of them in fact Crossflow Kid said:
aeropilot said:
Crossflow Kid said:
I assume there must be loads out there painted to represent a unit, Service or even Nation they never went near.
Pretty much all of them in fact Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff