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1943 Ford GPW Jeep
This Vehicle Has Sold
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1943Make
JeepModel
OtherOdometer
Upon RequestEngine
350 ci V8Fuel Type
gasolineTransmission
automaticDrivetrain
4×4VIN / Chassis #
Upon RequestSeller
Streetside ClassicsLocation
Mesa, AZTitle Status
cleanAre you a Ford fanatic who has always had a soft spot for Jeeps too? This truck gives you both. Meet the Ford-built WWII jeep, officially known as the Ford GPW, and one of the earliest mass-produced 4×4 vehicles from the Blue Oval. Not everyone knows the story behind the Ford GPW keep, but it’s one of the most important and recognizable military vehicles ever built. This example has received some recent upgrades to improve its looks, performance, and off-road capability and was offered for sale by Streetside Classics in Phoenix, Arizona for $19,995.
The Model
This jeep, with a lowercase “j,” has an incredible story. It begins in 1937 when the U.S. Army began searching for a replacement for its aging light-duty reconnaissance vehicles. When the Army finalized its requirements in 1940, they sent the proposal to 135 American manufacturers. Only three responded: American Bantam Car Company, Willys-Overland Motors, and Ford.
This jeep, with a lowercase “j,” has an incredible story. It begins in 1937 when the U.S. Army began searching for a replacement for its aging light-duty reconnaissance vehicles. When the Army finalized its requirements in 1940, they sent the proposal to 135 American manufacturers. Only three responded: American Bantam Car Company, Willys-Overland Motors, and Ford.
After extensive development and testing from all three companies, a production contract was awarded to Willys-Overland. The resulting vehicle became known as the Willys MB, the now-legendary WWII military Jeep. However, demand during World War II quickly exceeded Willys’ production capacity. The U.S. government turned to Ford to help meet the need.
Ford’s version was called the GPW. The name carried specific meaning:
- G indicated a government contract,
- P referenced the 80-inch wheelbase reconnaissance vehicle,
- and W signified the Willys design the vehicle was based on.
Many historians believe the nickname “jeep” originated from the pronunciation of the letters “GP.” Whether that origin story is perfectly accurate or not, the Ford GPW and Willys MB became forever linked as the vehicles that helped carry Allied forces across Europe during World War II.
Although the GPW and MB were nearly identical, there were actually hundreds of small differences between the two. Many surviving examples have been repaired with parts from both models over the decades, which can make identifying them tricky.
Here are a few ways enthusiasts distinguish a Ford GPW from a Willys MB:
- Engine serial numbers (Ford blocks begin with GPW rather than MB)
- Ford-script hardware and bolts marked with the distinctive “F” stamp
- Body differences, such as the square rear toolbox latch on GPW models versus the round latch on MBs
- Frame construction differences, including the GPW’s inverted C-channel front crossmember versus the MB’s tubular crossmember
Ford ultimately produced more than 300,000 GPW military Jeeps between 1941 and 1945, accounting for roughly half of all Jeeps built for World War II.
Today, surviving GPWs are highly sought after by collectors of classic military vehicles and vintage 4×4 trucks. Auction results suggest relatively few examples trade hands publicly each year, making any well-presented example an interesting find.
The Specs
This 1943 Ford GPW Jeep has been restored into a driver with a number of upgrades designed to make it more usable off-road. The most obvious change is the digital camouflage paint scheme. It nods to the Jeep’s military heritage while hinting at the more modern mechanical upgrades underneath.
Most notable is the 350 cubic-inch V8 under the hood. This engine delivers substantially more power than the original 60-horsepower four-cylinder used during wartime production. Suspension modifications and a lift kit give the Jeep a more aggressive stance and improved trail capability, transforming it from a historic military vehicle into a unique and capable off-road build.
Mechanical
- 350 cubic-inch V8
- Four-barrel carburetor with Edelbrock aluminum intake
- TH350 3-speed automatic transmission
- Dana 44 rear axle
- Transmission cooler
- HEI distributor
- Stainless long-tube headers
- Power steering
- Power brakes
- Front disc brakes
- Rear drum brakes
Interior
- Liner-painted floors
- Custom trailer hitch with plate to mount jerry cans
- 4-point off-road harnesses
- Roll bar with Hi-Lift jack and full-size spare mount
- Three-spoke steering wheel
- B&M shifter
- Upgraded gauge package with oil pressure, fuel, oil temperature, amperage, and speedometer
Exterior
- Digital camouflage paint
- RockHard front bumper with push bar, tow hooks, and dual light bars
- Lifted suspension
- Axe and shovel kit
- Custom trailer hitch
- Jerry-can mounting plate
- 32 × 11.5-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires
- 15-inch black steel wheels
This Vehicle Has Sold
Shop a wide selection of rare, classic, and custom pickup trucks and 4×4s currently available on Fourbie.
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