Restorations

The need for swifter and reliable personal transportation on the World War II battle field prompted heavy competition between Willys, Ford and Bantam. The United States military requested prototypes of a small lightweight 4x4 vehicle. After several years of back and forth contracts being given between companies, Ford and Willys won out with both companies collaborating with interchangeable parts to meet the needs of the military demand, for what many claimed help immensely, to bring victory to the allied forces.

Thus Ford began as the Ford “GP”, with G for Government type contract, and “P” used by Ford to designate a passenger car with a wheelbase of 80 inches. By 1942 the Ford production, slangly named “jeep”, became the Ford GPW with the ”W” referring to Willys licensed design. We had a blast with this challenging and history filled frame off build. There was no part untouched by the end of this Restoration, and we literally fell in love with this vehicle!