- Auctions
- The Silverstone Classic Sale 2015
- 1942 Ford GPW 'Willys' Jeep
1942 Ford GPW 'Willys' Jeep
Lot Number: 549
1942 Ford GPW 'Willys' Jeep
This 1942 FORD GPW JEEP
- Sold for: £36,563
LIVE AUCTION: This lot was auctioned on Saturday 25th July, 2015 at 2.00pm BST at Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh Rd, Coventry, CV8 2LG
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BODY COLOUR
Military Green -
DRIVE
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REG NUMBER
227YUS
DESCRIPTION
When E.C. Seagar created his famous cartoon character "Popeye" in 1936, and surrounded him with a cast of characters, one of whom was called "Eugene the Jeep", he could never have imagined that the term "Jeep" would be in common use, world wide, some eight decades later.Eugene the Jeep was Popeye's "jungle pet" and was "small, able to move between dimensions and could solve seemingly impossible problems", characteristics shared by the General Purpose (GP) vehicle issued to American combat soldiers fighting on the front lines in war-torn Europe. Having been brought up on a diet of Popeye cartoons it was not surprising that this tough little vehicle, which would frequently get them out of some real "scrapes", became affectionately know as a Jeep.
Impressively the time taken from conception and tenders being sent out, to the production lines starting to roll, was less than two hundred days, amazing for a vehicle that has stood the test of time and become an unlikely motoring icon.This ability to get things done quickly and well, was the deciding factor in America being asked to produce military hardware in vast numbers and build hundreds of ships, arguably influencing the outcome of the Second World War.
As the war progressed Willys-Overland produced over 300,000 Jeeps and the Ford Motor Co. was drafted in to help boost production and contributed over 250,000 units. Ford manufactured Jeeps were recognizable by their pressed steel grilles as opposed to the Willys' slat grille style.
Considering the manner in which the Jeep was conceived and its role in warfare, it's remarkable that most of the finest classic car collections will include a Willys or Ford WWII Jeep, making the restored example offered here a candidate for serious consideration should one of these yardstick cars have, so far, eluded you.
This excellent and rare, Ford built, GPW Jeep was imported in to the UK in 2012 having been fastidiously restored by the president of the Ford GPW owners club in the USA and is a consummate piece of military history.
A USB drive included with the cars history file documents the restoration. Every nut and bolt received attention and the detail is fantastic, even down to the period tools and heavy-duty towrope attached to the vehicle.
Every rural car show in the country now has a section for Military Vehicles, and with WW2 re-enactments and the prestigious classic car meetings all clamouring for 1940's Jeeps, this stunningly well restored example could keep you busy all Summer.
SPECIFICATION
- Lot Number
- 549
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- GPW JEEP
- Registration Number
- 227YUS
- Chassis Number
- 50472
- Engine Number
- 50472
- Body Colour
- Military Green
GALLERY
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