1944 Ford GPW Jeep

Registration No: 876 UXO
Chassis No: 223938
MOT: Exempt

• Discovered deserted in Italy by the previous owner, imported into Great Britain and resurrected
• Notably unmolested example including its six-volt electrical system
• In current ownership since c.2009 and completed several events including the Normandy D-Day Festival
• Reputedly used in the cult film Band of Brothers
• Offered with a full set of side screens, spare hood, ammunition box, helmets, and other wartime equipment

Arguably more important than the Churchill tank or the Supermarine Spitfire, the Jeep is for many the definitive Second World War vehicle; a workhorse of the Allied powers during war which remained in service all round the world for decades afterwards. Born out of the American Quartermaster Corps' 1940 invitation to submit a prototype go-anywhere four-wheel drive light reconnaissance vehicle which led to a three-way competition between Bantam, Willys-Overland and Ford, the winning design's simple but effective chassis, ingenious transmission, rugged suspension, and flathead Go-Devil 60hp 2.2-litre 'four' proved invaluable for hauling troops out of trouble. This self same combination ensures that the indomitable Jeep remains great fun to drive today. About 650,000 MB types were built between 1941 and 1945, by Willys and (in greater numbers) by Ford, and manufacture continued under licence in the '50s and '60s by Hotchkiss for the French Army. Finding a Jeep still retaining all its original components is rare because, after the war, many Jeeps were rebuilt on a ‘mix and match' basis, meaning it is common to find components from all three makers combined in one vehicle.

Faithfully renovated to a period specification, with a complement of military accessories and appropriate U.S. Army markings up to and including lucky mascot “Jane,” this superb GPW was first registered in Britain in 1985, having been discovered in an abandoned state in Italy. Thousands of Allied Jeeps were used in the Italian Campaign of 1943 to 1945, which liberated the Roman soil from the German occupation which had taken effect after the fall of Mussolini. After the war, many leftover Jeeps were repurposed for use by the Italian Army and Carabinieri. Once in Britain, the owner of ‘876 UXO’ set about bringing it back to life with a keen eye for detail and authenticity. This work included overhauling its original six-volt electrical system and sourcing various items of original equipment and accessories, including the side screens, a spare hood, ammunition boxes and helmets, as may be seen in the photographs.

The present owner acquired ‘876 UXO’ in 2009, and completed an extensive programme of improvements during 2010 which totalled £2,300 and encompassed both mechanical and cosmetic work. Since then it has been maintained and kept in regular use, becoming a popular exhibit at military vehicle shows and 1940s weekends, and most notably making a number of cross-Channel trips for the famous Normandy D-Day Festival.

Despite its former abandonment, ‘876 UXO’ survives in an impressively original state and, with some 40 years having passed since it was put back on the road, it now exhibits a pleasing, mellow patina. From behind the wheel and underneath the bonnet, it appears resoundingly ‘correct’ in all areas, so much so that it was reputedly used in the cult film Band of Brothers. We were pleased to see that it started readily and ran well for our photoshoot, and it is to be supplied with the current V5C, assorted MOT certificates and a very large collection of invoices.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452