1944 Ford GPW Jeep

Registration No: SSV 874
Chassis No: 237024
MOT: Exempt

• Supplied with rare canvas doors/weather equipment and radio with extending aerial
• Long-term previous ownership from 1997-2011
• Said by the vendor to a ‘very reliable’ and only requiring servicing while in his ownership
• A resident of the United Kingdom since 1985

Arguably more iconic than a Sherman Tank or P-51 Mustang, the Jeep is for many the definitive WW2 vehicle; a workhorse of the US and Allied forces during WW2 and kept in service all around 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. While, 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 WW2, 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.

Chassis number 237024 was manufactured in 1944 and would have likely seen active service with the American army during the final war engagements. Imported into the United Kingdom in 1985 from the United States of America, the Ford Jeep was in previous long-term (twenty-year) ownership from 1991 until 2011. Fitted with tooling and equipment including a very rare full set of doors/weather equipment, and a radio with an extending aerial, as well as other items such as a spade, axe, and soldier's helmet. Used by the vendor for local events and runs, the vendor informs that it has been ‘very reliable’ and has only required regular servicing while in his ownership. Offered with a history file that contains a previous logbook, a large selection of MOT test certificates dating back to 1988, sundry paperwork, and a current V5C document. A very usable Jeep and, we feel, sensibly guided.

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