WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Create a thread to track the progress of you MB/GPW restoration progress. Previously a General Discussion board.
conrod6
G-Captain
G-Captain
Posts: 749
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2016 9:30 pm
Location: teignmouth Devon UK

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by conrod6 » Mon Dec 04, 2017 9:51 am

Good on you Sean.

regards Barrie
GPW 101005 DOD 3-2-43 20207773 (actual) Louisville


User avatar
JIMN
G-Major
G-Major
Posts: 897
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 4:24 am
Location: Southern Ohio

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by JIMN » Mon Dec 04, 2017 3:51 pm

I think there are lots of guys like Sean around. Lots of older folks just don't take time to get to know anyone under 25.
As far as where have all the jeeps gone, In my neck of the woods there are more military jeeps than anything else. I wish we had more trucks and such show up at parades just to see something different. I have always thought jeeps were more desirable just because they were smaller and took up less storage space. But they also are more acceptable to the female half of marriages. More of a fun vehicle than a big iron workhouse monster I guess.
1941 Ford GP, 1944 Willys MB, 1943 Bantam T3

User avatar
twinflyer17
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1347
Joined: Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:49 am
Location: Washington, D.C.

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by twinflyer17 » Tue Dec 05, 2017 4:57 am

JIMN wrote:
Mon Dec 04, 2017 3:51 pm
I think there are lots of guys like Sean around.
I sure hope so! So far the only other WWII jeep owners I've met have been retired and had white hair :lol: I'll be honest, though, every single one of them has been a pleasure to talk to and get to know. And, I'd be lying if I said I didn't become very good friends with a retired MB owner in the middle of DC...even helped him swap an engine last spring.

To get back on topic, I know of one jeep in DC and only several in Lancaster, PA (where my jeep currently lives). I'm moving to Aberdeen, MD in a couple of weeks and will be parking the GPW there, in my own garage :P , from then on...anyone know of any other WWII vehicle owners around there? I'm assuming I'll learn of quite a few come the spring swap at the Ripken stadium, but if anyone knows of any before then it would be great to know!
Sean

GPW 108175 viewtopic.php?t=267732
DOD 4/14/43 Louisville, KY USA20371070

MVPA
AOPA

User avatar
JIMN
G-Major
G-Major
Posts: 897
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 4:24 am
Location: Southern Ohio

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by JIMN » Tue Dec 05, 2017 5:59 am

Very few ww2 jeep owners in their 20's. But plenty of young guys with the right mindset is what I meant.
1941 Ford GP, 1944 Willys MB, 1943 Bantam T3

User avatar
Chuck Lutz
Gee Addict
Posts: 26829
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Jeep Heaven

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by Chuck Lutz » Tue Dec 05, 2017 8:39 am

I just don't think you find twenty-somethings salivating over a WWII jeep, especially if it is a basket case these days. I didn't get into the game until I was in my 50's and part of that was due to watching COMBAT! on TV and all the WWII films of the day. Now all the films today feature HumVees, Bradleys and Abrams M!s...which are a little out of the budget for most young guys. When you are young you gravitate to something with a bit more speed, luxury or...if married, probably a mini-van or an SUV. You probably don't have much time for a "hobby" and these days your wife may even be working just to get by. Unless you own a house, you would have to park it somewhere else as working on cars in most apartment buildings/condos is not allowed.

If you live on some land and have a shed/barn or someplace to tinker with a tractor or farm equipment you might have the space to do that and you may be able to find one but on a budget it will need a lot of work and take a few years to roll out....

So there are many things working against the twenty-somethings. At that age I was still in my hot-rod phase and cool cars were pretty cheap anyway. My '65 GTO probably cost me a couple grand and it needed nothing but some American mags and some tunes. That same GTO about 40+ years later is in the $35,000 range. How's THAT for inflation!
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

User avatar
1943Willysgpw
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 2740
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:02 am
Location: Edmond, OK

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by 1943Willysgpw » Tue Dec 05, 2017 8:50 am

Hate to make you wish you would have kept it Chuck but, here goes. I think you under valued your old hot rod. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Pontiac-G ... ks&vxp=mtr Unless of course it come with the girl...lol
"None of us are as smart as all of us"

1942 GPW 1871 DoD 2-27-42 Dallas Plant
1945 GPW 247890 DoD 1-26-45 Louisville Plant
1942 GTB 136166 DoD 9-18-42
1942 GTB 135938 DoD
1952 M100

User avatar
twinflyer17
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1347
Joined: Thu Sep 12, 2013 11:49 am
Location: Washington, D.C.

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by twinflyer17 » Tue Dec 05, 2017 10:46 am

Chuck, you hit the nail on the head, somewhat. I've been looked at as a freak by the majority of my friends, since I've always been a bit of a closet OD addict and only came out when I randomly surprised them and my family with my purchase. I bought my GPW when I was 24 and finished it at 27 - I'm currently 29 :wink: I was living in a studio apartment in DC when I bought it (and still do), though, meaning it was kept 2.5 hours away at my parent's house in PA. Needless to say, the majority of the miles on my car came from running back in forth between DC and PA on weekends to gradually chip away at the basket case that it was...and now to enjoy getting to drive it around. Maybe I've been lucky with my situation - I've got a job, supportive wife, and easy going family - because I never found it too difficult to enjoy this hobby and several others (motorcycles, airplanes, etc.). And, even though the project wasn't cheap, I outlined a budget before buying and actually kept pretty darn close to my estimate when all was said and done. Long story short, lots of 20 somethings COULD get into this hobby if they wanted to, but "want" is the key word. Now, trying to convince a bulk of more than capable 20 somethings to actually be interested in anything OD is a totally different story and could be discussed for an eternity in a different thread :lol:
Sean

GPW 108175 viewtopic.php?t=267732
DOD 4/14/43 Louisville, KY USA20371070

MVPA
AOPA

Thunderbird712
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 689
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 11:19 am
Location: Lexington Park, MD (Southern MD)

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by Thunderbird712 » Tue Dec 05, 2017 11:53 am

Not to far from you Sean down here Southern Maryland. I am unfortunately labeled as a millennial :cry: even though I am 33 but I was lucky enough to have grown up around military vehicles all my life. The first vehicle I ever drove was my grandfathers 1942 CCKW. I agree that a lot of 20-30 year olds could get into the hobby but your correct that there is no want. Additionally I know a lot of people who can not do it because of the many reasons that are dragging down our generation. Laziness, out of control student loan debit, etc. Additionally I don't think many people in our generation truly care about history. Just watch the news on a daily basis and you will see how history looks to be repeating itself. Without caring for history preserving it goes out the window. It definitely is the responsibility of the few younger guys to keep this going. I know I will raise my son and daughter with the love of military vehicles. I actually have a different opinion "where are they". I have an M38A1 project on hold right now while I do a Factory restoration with my father on a 1945 MB. When I was focused on the M38A1 I was always like where are all the 50's M-Series jeeps and trucks. I always saw the WWII vehicles. Maybe sometimes its location or the taste of the local population that drives things. I think what should be asked is where are all the military vehicles from any generation?
TJ Zackman
1945 Willys MB, 430923, 3/28/45
Scored 98.375% at 2019 MVPA Convention York, PA

1953 M38A1, 69248, 12/53, 20999713
MVPA# 37298

User avatar
Chuck Lutz
Gee Addict
Posts: 26829
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Jeep Heaven

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by Chuck Lutz » Tue Dec 05, 2017 1:56 pm

Maybe its just me....but every 1965 GTO I saw back the was a 20dr hard top. These days there seem to be many 1965 GTOs with a door post.
You know, like the Le Mans did that year!

So...without even checking the VIN tag on ol' yeller on that link, I'd call BSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

User avatar
1943Willysgpw
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 2740
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2013 9:02 am
Location: Edmond, OK

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by 1943Willysgpw » Tue Dec 05, 2017 2:01 pm

This is true. A lot of clones and badly done clones floating around. Still your O.E. would be worth big bucks to the right buyer.
"None of us are as smart as all of us"

1942 GPW 1871 DoD 2-27-42 Dallas Plant
1945 GPW 247890 DoD 1-26-45 Louisville Plant
1942 GTB 136166 DoD 9-18-42
1942 GTB 135938 DoD
1952 M100

The Fireman
U.S.M.C. Veteran
U.S.M.C. Veteran
Posts: 1399
Joined: Sat Sep 20, 2003 8:52 am
Location: Banjoland, So. Orygun Territorium

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by The Fireman » Tue Dec 05, 2017 2:55 pm

To all,

The May of 43 GPW USMC Ambulance Jeep I restored now resides at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The Dec 07, 43 GPW 164440 resides in my garage along side of my red 65 GTO hardtop, tri power, 4 speed, ps/pb with redline tires and ralley one rims. The sound system has been upgraded from AM radio to include an under dash mounted 8 track player.

Fortunately for the goat, you can still get non corn fed gasoline here. However for whatever reason, the mpg is greatly decreased when driving as compared to sitting. For some reason on rare occasions, she becomes very thirsty and the fuel gauge races the tachometer in opposite directions.



Image

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year as well,

Frank
The Fireman
NRG

Fortyeight2A
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 4991
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 11:40 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by Fortyeight2A » Sun Dec 17, 2017 3:02 pm

The Fireman wrote:
Tue Dec 05, 2017 2:55 pm
For some reason on rare occasions, she becomes very thirsty and the fuel gauge races the tachometer in opposite directions.
I don't know from personal experience, but I've heard that doesn't happen if you put your right foot on a diet. :P
Is it true real Jeeps have flat fenders?
Alone cannot you it resist!

User avatar
Chuck Lutz
Gee Addict
Posts: 26829
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Jeep Heaven

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by Chuck Lutz » Thu Dec 21, 2017 10:22 am

Hey....when you have a muscle car, it ain't about gas mileage, right Frank?

Sweet ride there by the way.

I upgraded to an 8-track in mine from the 4-track...but that was in 1968.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

User avatar
Chuck Lutz
Gee Addict
Posts: 26829
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Jeep Heaven

Re: WW-2 Vehicle's, where are they ?

Post by Chuck Lutz » Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:41 am

Frank....

Here's my GTO....the picture is an old one, that's a friend in it, I took the pic and its not that good, but you can see the car. Have you noticed that besides the American mags, I have dropped spindles up front and Caddy springs with air bags in them in the rear to lift her up a bit.
Totally old school.
1965 GTO.jpg
1965 GTO.jpg (240.57 KiB) Viewed 670 times
Here is my '57 Chevy also. I bought a 327 in-the-crate that went to Champion Speed Shop to get balanced/clearance and blueprinted...headers, Holly on a high-riser, Mallory Dual-Point Dist. blow-proof bellhousing, 11" clutch, Muncie 4-sp. It wore street tires during the week and on weekends, we street raced and I had Mickey Thompson slicks on it.
1957 Chevy Bel-Air.jpg
1957 Chevy Bel-Air.jpg (125.12 KiB) Viewed 670 times
1957 Chevy Interior.jpg
1957 Chevy Interior.jpg (157.67 KiB) Viewed 670 times
Notice the "teardrop" motif on the car? It was painted British Racing Green and had teardrops painted on it by the legendary "Tommy the Greek" Hrones over in San Lorenzo before I bought the car. It came to me with a 265 and Powerglide...I needed more horsepower though...
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947


Post Reply

Return to “MB GPW Restoration Projects”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 45 guests