What does Ford GPW stand for?

Ford GPW Meaning
The acronym “GPW” stands for G: Government contract, P: 80-inch wheelbase, and W: Willys design. This designation was used for the Ford GPW military jeep, which was a four-wheel drive utility vehicle manufactured during World War II. The “W” specifically refers to the Willys licensed design, as Ford was licensed to build copies of the Willys design, to which Ford assigned its model designation GPW.
The Ford GPW and its Willys MB counterpart played a significant role in increasing the efficiency and mobility of the US Army during WWII. The Ford GPW was built in large numbers, with Ford delivering 280,000 Ford GPs, alongside an amphibious model, the GPA. 4456 GPs derived from the Ford Pygmy were built in 1941, followed by 277,896 improved GPWs, derived from the Willys design. Since regular soldiers preferred the Willys model, many Ford GPWs were part of the Lend-Lease program, with no less than 15,000 of these delivered to the Soviets.
The Ford GPW designation is a sometimes forgotten chapter in the history of trailblazing off-road vehicles and of Ford in general. Despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of GPWs were built for use during WWII, they faded into obscurity over the years.
Differentiating GPW from Willys MB
As a rule, the most readily spotted difference between the Willys MB and the GPW involves the front cross member. This is a tubular member on Willys vehicles, and an inverted U-channel on the Ford.
Ford GPW Technical Specifications
– Max Speed: 60 mph
– Width: 62 inches
– Length: 131 inches
– Height: 72 inches
– Weight: 2,293 lbs
– Armament: None
– Engine: 4-cylinder, gasoline 60 hp
– Ford GPWs were manufactured from 1941 to 1945, and are the iconic World War II Jeep.
The Ford GPW and its Willys MB counterpart were highly effective on the ground, with many standardized features that continue to influence the design and silhouette of the modern sport utility vehicle.
In summary, the Ford GPW was a crucial military vehicle during World War II, and its designation reflects its government contract, wheelbase, and Willys design origins.

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.

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.

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.

What is the most rare Willys Jeep?

Today, the MA is the rarest of all pre-production Willys, with only about thirty models known to exist. Improvements to the Willys MA over the Quad included: a handbrake; single piece wheels; rounded door cutouts; two circular-mounted instrument clusters; and a steering column-mounted gear shift.

Did Ford ever own Jeep?

Jeep was never a Ford model. Ford did build a few Army jeeps during WW2, but the vast majority of them were built by Willys-Overland. “Jeep” was only a common nickname for the vehicles at the time, not a registered brand name. The vehicle’s official name was the Willys MB.

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.

Are Willys jeeps street legal?

Jeep is CA registered and street legal.

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 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’s the difference between a Ford Jeep and a Willys Jeep?

Predictably, there were still many minor differences; the Ford chassis had an inverted U-shaped front cross member instead of a tubular bar, and a Ford script letter “F” was stamped onto many small parts.