Nomenclature of a Ford GPW
The nomenclature of a Ford GPW stands for the following:
– G: Government contract
– P: 80-inch wheelbase
– W: Willys design.
The “G” indicates that it was a government contract vehicle, the “P” signifies it was an 80-inch wheelbase reconnaissance car, and the “W” refers to the Willys design.
During World War II, Ford produced more than 280,000 GPWs, which amounted to roughly half of all jeeps built for the war. The Ford GPW, along with its Willys MB counterpart, played a significant role in increasing the efficiency and mobility of the US Army during the war.
Contents
- What is the difference between Willys Jeep and Ford GPW?
- What engine does a Ford GPW have?
- What is the most rare Willys Jeep?
- How many Ford GPW were made?
- What is a Willys MB?
- How many Ford GPWs were made?
- What does GPW stand for Ford?
- What year was the Ford GPW made?
- Did Ford make a military Jeep?
- How can you tell the difference between a Willys MB and a Ford GPW?
What is the difference between Willys Jeep and Ford GPW?
A simple way to tell a Ford GPW from a Willys MB is that the front frame cross-member under the radiator is square on the GPW and round on the MB, though Willys bodies, engines and other components can be switched to Ford frames and vice-versa. This was often done by the military itself, especially after the war.
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 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.
How many Ford GPW were made?
Willys MB
Willys MB Ford GPW Truck, 1⁄4‑ton, 4×4, Command Reconnaissance | |
---|---|
Produced | 1941–1945 |
No. built | WWII total: 647,925, including early production units Willys MB: 359,489 Ford GPW: 277,896 |
Variants | Ford GPA “Seep”: 12,778 |
Specifications (MB and GPW same) |
What is a Willys MB?
The Heritage 1942 Willys MB Jeep is equipped with many unusual pieces of equipment including a wire cutter, tow bar, field radio, desert cool kit, engine mounted air compressor and rear storage rack. MANUFACTURER: Willys-Overland Motor Company, Toledo, Ohio (1908-1953)
How many Ford GPWs were made?
Throughout the production of the 277,896 GPWs, Ford marked many of the components with the Ford “F” logo. Among these components were pintle hooks, fenders, bolts, etc. Due to materials shortages, non-F-marked parts were sometimes substituted on the assembly line.
What does GPW stand for Ford?
The jeep was hailed as “the savior of World War II.” The designation “GPW” breaks out as follows: “G” is “Government,” “P” represents “80-inch wheelbase reconnaissance” and “W” for “Willy’s” as they were the designers of the original blueprints on which the jeeps were based.
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 make a military Jeep?
The Ford GPW (commonly known as a Jeep or jeep, formally as the U.S. Army Truck, 1/4 ton, 4×4), and its Willys MB counterpart, are four-wheel drive utility vehicles that were manufactured during World War II.
How can you tell the difference between a Willys MB and a Ford 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.