1943 WWII Ford GPW / Willys MB. Jeep
Model: Ford GPW Jeep / MB willys jeep
Body Style: timeless Jeep Open body ( 277,878 Made by Ford & 348,849 Made by Willys over land )
Construction: Ladder chassis with steel open body (1942~1945)
Engine: inline 4 cylinder water cooled side valve 2199cc 60hp
Transmission: 3 speed x 2 part time 4wd
Suspension: leaf spring + shock
Brake: Hydraulic drum for both Front & Rear wheel
Max speed: 100 Km/h
History:
Before WWII, US army force need a small go anywhere 1/4 Tonnes truck like German 1936 Einheits-Pkw Kfz 2 4WDS cross-country vehicle, a 3x1 Harley-Davidson 74UA ,Indian 340B motor cycle with side car was not good on rough country. A Ford 01C/MH was a ford 2WD light truck converted by Marmon-Herrington between 1937-41,But it is too big and expensive. Army need a lot of light weight, small cross - country mobile for small groups of soldiers and command use at front lines and over rough terrain. They need for such military innovations took on a special urgency during the later Depression years, Bantam, Willys and Ford Build some prototype for test at 1940.Such as Bantam Rough Riders, Willys MA, and Ford Pygmy build a little for Army at 1941.Although the United States did not enter World War II until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Ford & willys Produce over 600,000 unit between 42~~45 to the US Government, The willysMB/Ford GPW is the most widely produced cross country vehicle of the world. Initially known as "Peep" they soon became universally know as Jeep-Today all small off Roader call "Jeep". Many MB/GPW also use by other army, such as British Empire use 104,430 Jeep, Canada Army use 8,200 Jeep, China army use 5,944 Jeep, French army use 9,736 Jeep, USSR army use 49,250 Jeep, South America use 1,060, all others 400,000 use by U.S. Army at that time. This is why you can see MB/GPW at every where after WWII. Most of new jeep packed inside a wooden box, this is good for shipping and when box arrived, Army need assembly them like a model kit.
12778 unit of GPA amphibious made by Ford between 1942-43 base on GPW. A boat-like hull on extended GPW chassis with heavy duty leaf spring, most parts modified by GPW parts, Original design by Sparkman and Stephens co. Also some full time 4WS MB/GPW model, 6x6 MB jeep and half track, LWB, light weight, armoured car model prototype model been made for test, but because the 134.2 cu. in (2.2L) engine is too small to push this type LWB vehicle and some 4x4x4 model got high speed driving more difficult control problem etc, the Army believe the Dodge,4x4,WC57,WC52,6x6WC63 were much better., At same time Italian force use the 508C Militare, which was based on the Fiat Balilla, ( a front engine rear wheel drive Tourer) the performance is very bad, Japan build the Kurogane Type 95, a little air cooled 2 seat 4WD, but no performance, not reliable, although these Asia or European small off road vehicle were less successful, none was a serious competitor to the jeep. Only in German force, Hitler's Kfz 2, G4, Kfz 15, VW 82 buggy, VW82e,VW87 4x4 field car and VW 166 go any where land and sea 4x4 field car, German automotive industry was one of the most sophisticated on the world. But German is a very small Country, only less than 68000 unit of VW128, VW166, VW82, VW82e and VW87 German jeep been made By VW between 1939-45.The Kfz 2 4x4x4 just 12000 been made by Stoewer, Hanomag, BMW between 1936-1944. Not many WWII German off road vehicle you can see now. Most on Museum and vantage military Vehicle collectors hand. US jeep you can see any where in the world. Even at early 80s thousands of MB/GPW jeeps still use in every where in the world. I remember I saw lot of jeep still use by Shanghai Government at end of 70s. Today almost all jeep at jeeps fans hand, even in China. lot of people order MB parts from our Co to rebuild their first WWII small 4x4 collection. Every body think the Jeep was the first small 4x4 off road vehicle in the world, but the true is Germany Kfz le.gl.E Pkw was the first small 4x4 in the world, Jeep was also not "modern" as German vehicle, but it is a very easy repair and reliable vehicle at that time, The hydraulic brake system and shock absorbers was very nice at that time because most of small vehicle still use cable control brake and cam type hydraulic damper. MB/GPW one of all time great car, it help British, American, Franch and Commonwealth troops during the European campaigns of the World War second.
This WWII GPW jeep imported from California to HK at mid of 80s by myself when I am 16 years old. & only one in HK. our Co use 6 year to Reg. this vehicle in HK and spend 16 years to rebuild this Jeep as new condition. most parts come from Europe and USA. We don't use Asia made reproduction parts, Because all our War time collection must with War time steel. This is why it takepic1 so long time to renew this vehicle. we got a very rare capstan winch, it is still in box. Willys MB and Ford GPW all parts can exchange, GPW had a channel-section at front chassis cross member under radiator, and willys had tubular croess member under radiator. also some small minor differences between 2 vehicle, but GPW can use MB parts and MB also can use GPW parts. This is good for Army take the parts from other wreck Jeep. If you want your first WWII collection, The MB jeep is the best chose,( Willys MB more easy to buy parts ) also not expensive as German Jeep, easy to buy new reproduction parts. here are our e mail address: wwiivehicle@yahoo.com or call us at 852 - 2395 4142.
