1941 Ford GP Jeep

Lot details
Registration No: WSL 580
Chassis No: T.B.A.
Mot Expiry: Nov 2006

Issued on July 7th 1940, the American Quartermaster Corps' invitation to submit a prototype 'go-anywhere' four-wheel drive light reconnaissance vehicle for testing / evaluation was rejected by 132 of the 135 US car manufacturers who received it. Although, the Bantam Car Company of Butler, Pennsylvania were the only ones to meet the Army's initial September deadline, this was soon extended so that Willys-Overland and Ford could join the tender race. To hasten the latecomers' efforts, the military made Bantam's blueprints available to them. Hence when the Willys Quad and Ford Pygmy arrived in November 1940, they bore a striking resemblance to the Bantam Pilot (itself the work of Karl Probst and his Butler-based team). Satisfied after extensive field trials that all three designs showed potential, the US Army commissioned a run of 1,500 further prototypes from each maker for delivery in early 1941. Naturally, the resultant Bantam 40 BRC, Willys MA and Ford GP (G for Government, P for 80-inch wheelbase) were all expected to show improvement. Though, Ford reputedly made some 4,458 GPs in 1941, the model's 45hp 2.0 litre 9N tractor motor (like the Continental unit found in the BRC 40) could not match the grunt offered by the MA's 60hp 2.2 litre 'Go-Devil' engine. Thus, while the subtly evolved Willys MB became the archetypal Jeep, the remaining Bantam BRC 40s and Ford GPs were distributed to America's allies under the infamous 'lend lease' scheme.
Finished in drab green with green canvas upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in good (interior trim, paintwork) to excellent (engine, three-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, chassis, bodywork, wheels / tyres) condition. Reported to have "spent all its military years in Canada" prior to being "restored in Holland and finished off in the UK", it has apparently been in the current ownership for five years. Thought to be "one of about six left in the UK" (the number of known survivors worldwide is apparently a little over 200), it is said to be complete barring its "correct carburettor". Believed but not warranted to have covered 44,634 miles from new, it is offered for sale with "the genuine paperwork from Holland", canvas night cover, canvas side door (loose), MOT certificate valid until November 2006, historic class (free) road tax until November 2006, "original battery and spare parts (separate, not fitted)".