1942 ford gpw jeep (Willys MB twin)

1942 Ford Other

This is a wonderful Jeep with an equally wonderful story.

This Jeep was purchased several years ago by a retired Marine veteran. He had already restored a couple of MBs (Willys version) previously but always wanted to restore a Ford GPW, especially the version that had the Ford script stamped in the rear sheet metal as that is one of the most rare. One day, long after the Jeeps he previously restored had found new homes, he received a tip from a friend that he knew where there was a GPW at a farm outside of Augusta, Georgia. He followed the lead and was thrilled to find that this Jeep was in fact the"Script" version he had been hunting for years. A deal was struck with the farmer who had it and the Jeep followed the Marine home on a trailer.

The next few years were spent meticulously restoring the Jeep to his specification. All the original running gear was re-enlisted. The gearbox and differentials were original to the Jeep while the engine had been replaced somewhere in its distant past with an MB (Willys version #MB366609) engine. All of the components, including the engine, were taken apart, cleaned, checked, rebuilt with all necessary new parts and reassembled. Next, the body was removed from the frame for restoration. The frame was in very good condition and only required cleaning, stripping and repainting. The body tub however was not in great shape. 50+ years of farm life had taken its toll and it was quite dented up.

Our Marine was getting very advanced in age and fighting quite a few health issues and he knew it would be the last Jeep he ever restored, so he decided to use a brand new body tub to make his Jeep as new and straight as possible, his dream Jeep.

Fast forward to just a year and a half ago to when Speedwell became involved. Our Marine's son in law had an MGB, which he had brought to our shop for some minor work. Here at Speedwell we specialize in British cars but the subject of WWII Jeeps came up and Ireminiscedwith my customer about the 1943 Willys MB I had as my first car, which I had restored. That is when my friend told me about his father in law, our Marine. He explained about the restoration and how the Jeep had reached the 70% mark of being finished but it was now winter. Our intrepid hero was having to work on the Jeep in his open car port, pushing an oxygen tank around and trying his best to move forward, because that's what Marines do. Improvise, adapt and overcome. His cancer had gotten worse and his headway had slowed to a crawl, but he kept going. I agreed to do my best to go out to his house and try to help. Sadly, I only was able to go there three Saturdays before he succumbedto his illness and passed away. Very sad indeed.

Some months later our Marine’s widow approached us about finishing the Jeep at our shop for her. She had decided that she would like nothing more than to see her husband’s project through, drive it, then tell him all about it when she was reunited with him in heaven one day. Though we are booked out a year in advance, we were proud to say yes, we would get it done somehow.

The engine had been rebuilt and installed. He had even test run the engine and tuned it to his satisfaction. We set about painting the Jeep, going through the brakes, installing all new gauges (except the speedometer, which works quite well), replacing the windshield glass and installing the windshield assembly. We installed all the lighting, squared away the electrical system (everything works) and finished reupholstering and installing the seats. In general, we simply set about completing that long list of loose ends that are often left at the very end of a complete restoration.

We were made aware that the owner’s widow was in poor health and we sped up progress hoping to get it finished in time. Thankfully we were able to complete the Jeep on 18 July of this year. Seeing her finally get to complete her husband’s last mission and drive the Jeep was a real honor. Her daughters and son in law drove to the shop for the unveiling with her. I then drove her next door, with her family behind us in their car, to my good friend’s house, where we had the Jeep on display and ready to drive in a nice roomy area where it would be easier for her to maneuver.

We finished the Jeep out exactly as the owner had expressed to me that he wanted, to the letter. You will note that we painted the GPW “Marine Green”, which was the owner’s wish, he had even provided the paint. Given that the Jeep is a 1942 GPW it would have been assigned to the Army and painted Olive Drab but, the way I understand it, the Marine Jeep orders didn’t come along until a short time later and were all Willys MBs. I also understand that this didn’t mean the Marines did without Jeeps until theirs were allocated. MANY GPWs were “strategically relocated” by the Marines, painted Marine Green over the Army Olive Drab and assigned Marine inventory numbers. That is the spirit in which this GPW was resurrected. Semper Fi.

This restoration was never meant to be a museum quality endeavor, but rather a well done, running, driving iteration of what the Major had envisioned.

*Sadly, Mrs. Hensley succumbed to her own ailments 17 August of this year, less than a month after the video was made. The family has asked Speedwell to post the GPW for sale here on Ebay but the winning bidder will be purchasing from the family, with us merely serving as facilitator.

The Jeep is equipped with its original VIN and specification plates and the VIN is also legible on the frame (See pictures). We have the original hood, which still bears the original Army assigned numbers and it will go with the Jeep to the lucky winning bidder. There is no top as the one that the Major had set aside years ago was destroyed by mice. A new one can be arranged through kaiserwillys.com for $500 There is no title due to the vehicles age but a Georgia Bill of Sale will be provided. Shipping must be arranged by the buyer but we will be glad to be helpful and flexible throughout this process. For international buyers delivery via ensured trailer to Port of Charleston, South Carolina or Port Brunswick Georgia at an extra cost can be arranged, simply enquire. A $500 deposit via Paypal must be made within 48 hours of auction end and full payment made via Cashier’s Check or wire transfer within seven days of auction end. Vehicle is located at our shop in Watkinsville, Georgia. Pick up cannot be made until full payment is completed. Please don’t hesitate to email with any questions and thank you for considering this very special GPW.

• Make: Ford
• Model: Other
• Type: Utility
• Doors: 2
• Year: 1942
• Mileage: 1234
• VIN: GPW63401
• Color: Green
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Manual
• Interior color: Green
• Vehicle Title: Clean
Want to buy? Contact seller!