GPW "Nicknames"

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BB16
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GPW "Nicknames"

Post by BB16 » Sun Dec 02, 2012 7:02 pm

I noticed in some google pictures of army jeeps that some had a special name or phrase painted underneath the windshield. Have any of yall done this to your jeeps? I recieved my jeep not too long ago from my grandfather who has passed on. I would love to have something put there in remembrance of him but want to make sure it would still make the jeep authentic and genuine as it has been fully restored. Please post pictures if you have any thank you!


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Mark Tombleson
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by Mark Tombleson » Sun Dec 02, 2012 10:11 pm

Welcome to G503, BB16.

There are a couple of extensive lists in Army Motors magazine issues 83 and 84.

I think these back issues may be available... check with the MVPA.

http://www.mvpa.org/publications/army-m ... pply-line/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Rod Rushton
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by Rod Rushton » Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:08 am

You could put Grandma's name on it.
Most of the named Jeeps and aircraft had some meaning special to the crew.
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by kody » Mon Dec 03, 2012 11:34 am

although my gpw isnt done yet i have named it duke (grandpas nickname) and i will also be doing the unit markings correct for the unit he was in.
if you cant fix it with duck tape you must not be using enough!!
1942 ford gpw 9924 "duke" dod march 26
1946 willys cj2a "wyatt"
1946 willys cj2a "rusty"
1943 willys mbt
1943 bantam bt3

BB16
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by BB16 » Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:19 pm

My grandpas nickname was Bull and my grandmas Betsy so I think either would fit well! I will look in army motors if I drcide to do it

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Paul FitzGerald
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by Paul FitzGerald » Mon Dec 03, 2012 3:47 pm

I named mine Tinkerbelle. Bought as rolling stock/hunter special. Trannie/x-fer case and diff's came in cardboard boxes and paper grocery bags.
Lots of tinkering to get that belle running. Must have done OK as she made the ALCAN trip in August. All 4,109 miles.
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Wingnutt
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by Wingnutt » Thu Dec 06, 2012 5:03 am

BB16 wrote:I noticed in some google pictures of army jeeps that some had a special name or phrase painted underneath the windshield... [ ] ....want to make sure it would still make the jeep authentic and genuine as it has been fully restored. Please post pictures if you have any thank you!
BB16,

Look through G503 member Escort's ginormous hood number photo archive located here: http://www.ww2jeep.gportal.hu/gindex.php?pg=28806986.

Curious about nicknames myself - types, placement, etc, and unable to find a singular definitive source on the topic, I started doing some research on my own, using the photos in his archive, which often show much more than the hood number, and I have been slowly compiling a database of sorts. I have found that nicknames (e.g., "Mary Lou", "Bumpy", "Rat Killer", etc) were primarily placed on the tub, above or near one of the rear wheel wells. Phrases or slogans (e.g., "FORWARD HO!", "BERLIN OR BUST!", "THE LORD'S LORRY", etc) were primarily placed underneath the windshield. That is not to say there weren't exceptions to this, and my conclusions are based only on the photographs in Tibor's archive.

I have also found that most of them were hand-painted/scrawled, not stenciled.

Have fun!
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MES
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by MES » Thu Dec 06, 2012 10:09 am

The best name I ve seen on a jeep (cant remember wether it was a period or a recent picture) is Navaho Rocking chair. I realey like that name.
Too bad its already used, Id name my jeep with tht name in a heartbeat.
Regards Maarten
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previous 1942 Ford GPW Angry Spike.
previous 1943 Dodge WC 54

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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by Leatherneck17 » Thu Dec 06, 2012 12:24 pm

My old girl is named "CONNIE" after my mother...she passed in 2011 of cancer and when i was first restoring the MB mum gave me some money to help out so it was only right and fair that she was named CONNIE.Mother was of that wartime generation so my 42 MB is a fitting memorial to her.
She even has a picture taken of mum in 1944 outside her house friction taped to the dashboard as a reminder that mum is always with me.

Image

Image


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Lloyd
1942 Willys MB (Script).Chassis #MB 132051. Named "CONNIE"
1943 Bantam T-3 (Tandem)Trailer..ACM # B50604
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by Wingnutt » Thu Dec 06, 2012 2:59 pm

Sweet, Lloyd.

You, your Jeep, and your mum's memorial are in good, authentic company. ETO MB 20646765-S had "Connie Mae" scrawled in cursive above the passenger-side wheelwell.
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by BB16 » Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:32 pm

So sorry to hear about your mum. Its great you made your jeep into something to remembet her by. My gpw was passed on to me by my grandad so I would either like to put his or my grandmas name on the jeep somewhere appropriate. I will try to look at a database and pictures to see if betty or bull is taken! Also from what I understand the names were sometimes drawn by art students who happened to be in the same company as the jeeps owner and werr hand painted

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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Dec 07, 2012 3:22 am

Many times the first letter of the name matched the letter of the company it was assigned to.
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by Wingnutt » Fri Dec 07, 2012 4:21 am

BB16 wrote:I will try to look at a database and pictures to see if betty or bull is taken!
ETO MB 20219475-S had BULL OF THE WOODS painted on the windshield. Personally, I wouldn't worry about using a name that was actually used on a Jeep in wartime. In fact, I think that adds to its appeal without taking anything away from your own personal connection.
BB16 wrote:...and were hand painted
Of the ninety-five (95) Jeeps in Tibor's hood number photo archives that bear some kind of name, nickname, or slogan painted on the tub, cowl or windshield, I didn't see a single instance of one that was applied with a stencil. All appeared to have been applied by free-hand.
Ben Dover wrote:Many times the first letter of the name matched the letter of the company it was assigned to.
Is this a result of your own observation (comparing the first letter of the name or nickname to the unit designation), Ben, or did you read this somewhere? If the latter, would you please cite a reference.

All,
In general, I'm interested in reading anything I can find on this subject. Please cite references. Thanks.
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Dec 07, 2012 4:35 am

I learned this somewhere in my MV history studies over the past 50-60 years. You may also research this information in one of Lloyd Whites many excellent MVPA "Army Motors" articles over the past 35 years.
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Re: GPW "Nicknames"

Post by Leatherneck17 » Fri Dec 07, 2012 4:53 am

Joel that is exactly why "CONNIE" is so apt...as we as in our unit normally re enact C Co 82nd Recon Battalion 2nd Armoured Division.....

Regards

Lloyd
1942 Willys MB (Script).Chassis #MB 132051. Named "CONNIE"
1943 Bantam T-3 (Tandem)Trailer..ACM # B50604
1944 RL-35 Johnston Lawnmowers Reel Cart
1944 WC54 Dodge Ambulance "Florence"


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