Ford GPW: Government contract, 80-inch wheelbase, Willys design
The acronym GPW stands for Government contract, 80-inch wheelbase, Willys design. The Ford GPW military jeep was built during World War II and was one of the most widely produced jeeps of the war. Ford manufactured over 300,000 GPW jeeps, which accounted for approximately half of all jeeps built for WWII.
The GPW designation provides some insight into the key features of the vehicle. The “G” stands for “Government contract,” indicating that the jeep was produced under a government contract. The “P” represents the 80-inch wheelbase, which was a specific requirement for reconnaissance cars during that time. Finally, the “W” signifies that the design of the vehicle was based on the Willys model.
It’s worth noting that the Ford GPW and the Willys MB were mechanically identical and shared many standardized features. While there were some small nuances between the two models, they were both highly effective on the ground and played a significant role in increasing the efficiency and mobility of the US Army during the war.
The Ford GPW military jeep is an important part of the history of off-road vehicles and of Ford itself. Despite sometimes being overlooked, it remains a trailblazing vehicle that paved the way for the development of the first civilian Jeep, the CJ-2a.
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Contents
- Did Ford ever build jeeps?
- Did Ford used to own Jeep?
- When was the first Ford GPW made?
- What engine does a Ford GPW have?
- What is the difference between Willys MB and GPW?
- Why were jeeps called Willys?
- What was the top speed of the Willys truck?
- How many Ford GPW were made?
- What did Jeep stand for in WW2?
- What year was the Ford GPW made?
Did Ford ever build jeeps?
Ford did build a few Army jeeps during WW2, but the vast majority of them were built by Willys-Overland.
Did Ford used to own Jeep?
The original military jeeps were made under government contract by Ford and Willys-Overland. After WWII Willys produced jeeps while Ford chose not to. Ford never owned Jeep. Willys sold out to Kaiser which became Kaiser-Jeep, which was bought by American motors in 1970.
When was the first Ford GPW made?
2 January 1942
Ford retooled at a cost of $4 million (~$56.9 million in 2022) to build Willys engines and produced the first GPW as quickly as 2 January 1942. Just days before, in late December 1941, the Quartermaster Corps had ordered another 63,146 GPWs.
What engine does a Ford GPW have?
The Willys L134 (nicknamed Go Devil) is a straight-4 flathead automobile engine that was made famous in the Willys MB and Ford GPW Jeep produced during World War II. It powered nearly all the Jeep vehicles built for the U.S. and Allies. It was later used in a variety of civilian Jeep vehicles.
What is the difference between Willys MB and GPW?
Frame differences:GPW frames have a rectangular upside-down C-channel front cross member, while Willys MBs have a tubular and round front cross member. Also, as previously mentioned, shock mounts and other brackets from a GPW will have F-script cast or stamped into them.
Why were jeeps called Willys?
This Jeep was called the Willys because the government selected a vehicle based on the fashion of the Bantam Car Company. Bantam lacked the production facilities to mass-produce, and the military wanted suppliers, so Willys got a contract to build this model of Jeep in the late 1940s.
What was the top speed of the Willys truck?
Willys MB
| Willys MB Ford GPW Truck, 1⁄4‑ton, 4×4, Command Reconnaissance | |
|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 83⁄4 in (22 cm) |
| Fuel capacity | 15 US gal (12 imp gal; 57 L) |
| Operational range | 300 mi (480 km) |
| Maximum speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
How many Ford GPW were made?
The Ford car was then designated GPW, with the “W” referring to the “Willys” licensed design. During World War II, Willys produced 363,000 Jeeps and Ford some 280,000.
What did Jeep stand for in WW2?
general purpose”
The Jeep came to prominence during WWII, where soldiers commonly referred to “general purpose” vehicles as “jeeps.” Cartoon character Eugene the Jeep was also very popular with soldiers during the war.
What year was the Ford GPW made?
Ford GPW, the World War II U.S. four-wheel drive military utility vehicle, manufactured by Ford, using the “Willys” licensed design, from 1941 to 1945. Ford Pygmy, Ford’s first prototype for the U.S. Army’s requirement for the World War II light reconnaissance vehicle.
