This 1945 Ford GPW is basically the classic WWII Jeep’s brother from another mother, manufactured by Ford at a time when the country needed companies to put down their competitive boundaries and make sure our boys had the resources they needed overseas. While both companies produced the classic Willys MB and Ford GPW in mass quantities, the Ford remains a bit rarer today. This one isn’t perfect and does have rust issues, but the engine still turns over and it comes with a clear title. Find it here on eBay with bidding just over $4K and no reserve.
The Ford GPW utilized Willys running gear, as the classic Go Devil engine was popular with the troops and more powerful than the design Ford had conceived. Both companies attempted to build the classic Jeep, with Willys winning the initial contract and Ford being brought on when they couldn’t keep up with demand. The seller notes that despite its rough appearance, lots of original details still remain in place on this example, including the olive drab paint underneath what looks like years of rattlecan paint jobs.
You can even still make out the identifying numbers on the hood, like the Jeep would have bene issued once put into service. The seller notes that other key features include the three-seat configuration, five original combat wheels, Ford GPW radiator, and more. The rust is described as possibly not being as bad as you might expect, with the seller pointing out some patchwork needed in the floors. However, it’s not to the point that he doesn’t believe you could simply restore this one mechanically and then begin driving it.
The engine does still turn over, which isn’t a surprise considering how durable these Go Devil engines are. Although the original data plates are long gone, I wouldn’t sweat it on a vehicle that’s likely been pulled apart and rebuilt at least once it ins life. While I’m sure the story isn’t that exotic, it’d still be fascinating to research the ID number on the hood to see if it could be determined where this Ford GPW was based when new. Check out the gallery of pictures in the listing – the one with the jerry can strapped to the back makes me want to drive this charming GPW exactly as-is.
The dip tank stripper that I just got some of my race car parts out of in Florida would do wonders for this rig. The ’42 Ford that we had was built out of pretty stout metal. This could turn into a pretty nice piece of history without spending a huge amount of money. As I said on the last one that came up, these things are a lot of fun.
There was a few years that ford stamped the sheet metal in the lower left back corner, they stamped Ford in cursive writing, now those jeeps are hard to find and go for a good price when they surface
Two words: Mahindra Roxor.
That’s a joke, right? Sure, it’s new, but no comparison to the vintage 1945 Ford GPW.
Yes, it’s a joke. Dave must be high!
You have to read the history behind the Roxor. It’s a derivative of a Willys Jeep built under license since the era in which this Jeep was built. They haven’t changed much, according to Car and Driver, and so there may be a good possibility that some of the parts might be able to be sourced from your local Mahindra dealer.
Depending upon the options, you can spike a Roxor right into Wrangler price territory!
Look at the Mahindra Thar. FCA has sued for patent and trademark infringement.
I have a 1945 also. 3.8l buick v6 in ot though, way more better. Henry ford hated not putting his name on it but apparently he overcame the grief by using bolts with the ford script across the heads of said bolts. that’s what I heard anyhoo
I remember reading the marking for Ford parts was to make sure that if any defective items were found that they wouldn’t send Ford defective Willys parts and vice versa.
Rattle head, that is true, if you look close you will see the letter “F” on anything they could put it on,
yes I was just playing dumb, mine has those. but thank you for the info anyways. there is a lot of misinformation on this interweb, even this site, but the knowledgable tend to set the misinformed right. that is why I like this site, sometimes I learn something.
Hmm this jeep jeep has much work ahead If its going to be restored.
Lets hope the new owner is a relative of Kilroy and a Winston Churchill fan who can roll up his sleeves to work hard ..
“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”
If only my late dad USAF 23 year mechanic or late grandpa Army tank mechanic was around to build and appreciate it. 😎
I do hope someone puts it together in original specs 👍
I am a Land Rover guy but it seems to me that the numbers indicated that MOST WWII Jeeps were, in fact, built by Ford. Ford’s capacity was such that they could build more in 3 weeks than Willys could build in a year. Without the time to “ramp up” production, it was a case of “who can buld this NOW!”. Ford built vast numbers of B24 bombers simply because they had a factory floor big enough which meant no time lost in building a dedicated aircraft facility. Is there a definitive way to identify a Ford Jeep from a “Jeep” Jeep? Remember that during its military life, overhauls and spare parts came out of whatever bin was in the depot.
Did I read somewhere that these, while vital to the final victory, handled poorly. Something about tricky cornering. And there’s that iconic shot of the soldier driving the jeep on fire during the Battle of the Bulge. Iconic.
When I was in my teens I remember a rumor/urban legend that you could go down somewhere in California (I was in Oregon) and buy one of these packed in grease in original crate for $100. We spent a lot of time figuring out where, route, getting a truck, bypassing weigh stations, etc., etc. Never did though. Anybody ever hear of this?
Sorry for the ramble.
I recall those rumors also and remember seeing adds in my father’s Popular Mechanics magazines ( mid-’50’s) for still-crated Jeeps. No idea if they were legitimate. Somewhat off-topic, during my military days in the late 60’s, I worked on the M151’s which were the last version of the “Jeep” prior to the Hummer and all built by Ford. We were told the short wheelbase and independent suspension made them ideal for off-road use but unstable at highway speeds. Supposedly, the M151 cold not be sold as surplus because of this issue although I have seen a few in civilian hands.
“Unrestored”…you think? Is there enough metal between the rust to actually restore? Love this vehicle, but it is way to far gone for me.
I remeber a friend of mine. Told me when he was stationed in California. They would drive jeep down to the docks . To be loaded up for Viet Nam. He said they ran the hell out of them and you could bury the speedomet with no problem. They had one guy flip one and got killed. We had one in Viet Nam that had bad gears in it. A guy buy the name of Robert Smith from Ky drove it. We,d be out on the harbor inQui Nhon and could hear him half mile away.Someone would speak up and say :I hear Smitty comin ” and we,d laugh. It was still whinning when I left about 8 months later. Their was a old ford(jeep ) with a metal top on it up town. I asked about it one day and they would sale it.
Actually, Ford did have to build a factory for B-24 production. They had promised the government they would produce one bomber per hour and the only way they could do that was a new assembly line, and so, Ford built Willow Run on land donated by Henry Ford.
Hey, if this hulk is still available I’m interested in a good 5 – 10 year project. How about giving me a phone call at my cell 608-346-8665, or if anyone else might have one they want to get rid of that I can look at in the Wisconsin area (Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, or Minnesota, give me a call. I’ve got some time on my hands. And if I don’t answer leave a message and I’ll get back to you.