Ford GPW Jeep

Hailed as the vehicle which won World War II, the Jeep was developed by Willys-Overland, Bantam and Ford, with production shared by Ford and Willys. 

The vehicles from both manufacturers were almost identical, the Willys designed 2.2-litre Go-devil engine used in all models. One of the first practical four-wheel drive vehicles, the Jeep was equipped with a three speed synchromesh gearbox and two speed transfer box. Hydraulic brakes were standard, and a top speed of 65mph was on tap. Some 630,245 models were produced from late 1941 to the end of the war, of which Ford made nearly 278,000.

The Jeep was a huge war-winning success, and everyone wanted one from Montgomery and Eisenhower down. To the soldiers who used them they became like a sports car, with bucket seats, fold-flat windscreen, taut suspension and agile road-holding. The design looked right, and was right, and the Jeep has always had its admirers. Wartime examples are now highly collectible and an industry has mushroomed to supply any part required to restore and run them. Considering how many were made, it is amazing how few of them now survive.

Thought to date from 1943 but first registered in the UK in 1946, this particular Jeep has been in the current ownership since 1988 but has been unused and in storage for most of that time. Reportedly fitted with an off-the-shelf reconditioned engine about 10 years ago, it is said to remain in running and driving order but will doubtless benefit from some thorough recommissioning before being pressed back into use. It also comes with a rather nice number plate, GTJ 118.

AMENDMENT: This is a 1942 model, as shown on the chassis plate, not 1943 as previously stated. It has now arrived on site and we have taken it for a quick spin round the yard and it goes very nicely indeed.