VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Feb, 1942 - GPW1 thru end of first contract, April, 1942 - GPW15000 NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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17thAirborne
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VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Jun 08, 2017 3:08 pm

I just brought this home today. It is a Very Early production Script GPW on a midland frame with the GPW SN on the frame in the traditional location. I have about 90% of the parts, most of what I was was F marked. It will take me a while to unload, inventory and go through everything to see what is missing. It was a project that sat idle for many years and will sit for about 2 more until I can get to it.

1. F Script Tub in fair to poor condition, needing nearly all of the floor to be repaired/replaced and work on the rear panel.
2. Midland frame with GPW 3742 stamped on the frame on the forward driver's side. Needs some professional restoration work done Estimated 5 Mar 42
3. Spare Willy's frame with original GPW axles and reproduction springs. I have another set of GP axles and springs to work with
4. GPW Engine SN 94286 Estimated end of Jan 43 with am April 1945 Los Angeles engine rebuild tag. Spins nicely with matching head
5. T84 GPW transmission and all associated parts
6. Original grill, windshield, seats, etc.
7. Glove box has two of the original tags, but the center tag is missing.

I realize I have a lot of research to do. I need to determine how to restore the engine given the year gap. I thought the VEPs had no glove box, but this one does. I need to decide how to redo the frame, and where to send it off. Probably the same for the tub. At this point those two items are beyond my ability.
on trailer.jpg
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junk in trunk.jpg
junk in trunk.jpg (188.83 KiB) Viewed 2580 times
midland frame.jpg
midland frame.jpg (190.61 KiB) Viewed 2580 times
engine rebuild tag.jpg
engine rebuild tag.jpg (119.36 KiB) Viewed 2580 times
FORD.jpg
FORD.jpg (178.85 KiB) Viewed 2580 times
tub front.jpg
tub front.jpg (191.94 KiB) Viewed 2580 times
tub interior.jpg
tub interior.jpg (167.9 KiB) Viewed 2580 times
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)


rjbeamer
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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by rjbeamer » Thu Jun 08, 2017 3:23 pm

Good find. FYI all GPW's had a glove box. Early MB slats did not.

Roger

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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Jun 08, 2017 3:26 pm

rjbeamer wrote:Good find. FYI all GPW's had a glove box. Early MB slats did not.

Roger
Thanks for clearing that up. Can't recall where I read that, or in my case mis-read that.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by 17thAirborne » Tue Jun 27, 2017 5:54 pm

Found in the pile of parts from my brother, a VEP Pintle exactly like the one listed here:

viewtopic.php?f=95&t=235068&p=1380287&h ... e#p1380287
pintle.jpg
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Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by 17thAirborne » Tue Jun 27, 2017 6:05 pm

I have spent the better part of two weeks looking this over along with the host of parts I received from my brother. I see that I have a few options

1. Restore as it was when it left the factory without the hand full of mods such as the pintle, BO light, rear panel support braces etc. (more of a factory class)
2. Restore as it would have been after the installation in the field of the various modification orders. (state-side jeep before deployment)
3. Restore as it would have looked shortyl after arrival in the ETO.
4. End of war jeep fully kitted and modified for comfort.

I am leaning toward the early arrival in the ETO option to give it some early combat character, but without adding more than the directed modifications and stowable gear.

I still have my slow moving Dodge WC12 project to tackle first before I work on this, but I can plan and find what I need for later work on the VEEP JEEP.

A final thought will be on how to finish the engine. I acquired a VEP GPW engine: GPW 5675 which is but a few days away from my frame and plan on using that instead of the LA Depot repaired GPW that i have. I am unsure how the engine would have looked when it arrived in England prior to the invasion.

1. Did the air cleaner, oil filler tube or other early engine parts get replaced?
2. were there any other engine modifications done in the field as directed by the Army?
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by Michael O. » Tue Jun 27, 2017 7:31 pm

17thAirborne wrote: 1. Did the air cleaner, oil filler tube or other early engine parts get replaced?
2. were there any other engine modifications done in the field as directed by the Army?
First of all, congrats on finding a VEP GPW! These very early GPW's with a Midland frame are very special. I'm always delighted to learn of yet another one that has survived.

To answer your questions...

1) Yes, parts were replaced if the jeep was in for maintenance or upgrades. Most of the time, if the items were serviceable, they were retained. (If it ain't broke, don't fix it). If you intend on doing a motor pool restoration you could pick a time frame you wish your jeep to represent. If I may offer an opinion...since your GPW is early I would recommend finding as many of the early engine components as possible. The AC air cleaner is what will cost you the most, but reproductions are obtainable.

2) Yes, there were numerous change orders but they were usually done at the depot maintenance level.

I look forward to seeing your progress. Someday I'll get to my VEP GPW...she's patiently waiting her turn.
Michael O’Connell

Too many jeeps…and a Dodge.

MVPA 13861

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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by 17thAirborne » Tue Jun 27, 2017 7:44 pm

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I would love to keep the engine in as early a configuration as possible. I'll post images this week when it arrives.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by 17thAirborne » Wed Jun 28, 2017 5:51 am

I am sincerely thankful to the efforts of Tom in assisting many of us with our production and delivery data. In time the gaps in the data will close. Here is what he provided regarding GPW 3742

"From my GPW studies and database, Your GPW 3742 should have come from the Dallas, Tx. assembly plant. The most likely DoD looks to be in the range of March 9 to 11, '42. The Registration Numbers used on those days should have been in the range of 2065336 to 2065677"

For those of you who don't know, he has a Go Fund Me page with the goal of continuing this selfless research. Of my own volition, and not from any request on his part, I am posting the GFM link here. We all benefit from what he is doing.

Thanks Tom!

https://www.gofundme.com/gwcs6xne
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by tractor12 » Wed Jun 28, 2017 8:39 am

My march 12th is 2065356 which is 20 from his starting number. I would say that yours is probably a little less.
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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by 17thAirborne » Wed Jun 28, 2017 9:04 am

tractor12 wrote:My march 12th is 2065356 which is 20 from his starting number. I would say that yours is probably a little less.
You mean your GPW 5235? Are the hood numbers verified and does it have a data tag confirming DoD? I think there is more to it than just sequence as numbers were issued to the various plants and they used them at different rates (I think). I'm just starting to learn this stuff. :shock:
Last edited by 17thAirborne on Wed Jun 28, 2017 9:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
Oz

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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by tractor12 » Wed Jun 28, 2017 9:09 am

Everything has been verified
WC12 Wc 27 2 K38s Mz2 ambulance jeep 2 M3a4s M1a1 Chemical Mortar cart T4e1 usmc cart convertible

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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by 17thAirborne » Wed Jun 28, 2017 11:39 am

tractor12 wrote:Everything has been verified
Thanks for clarifying for me and I appreciate the images you sent. Thanks
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Jun 29, 2017 2:04 pm

I think this will work suitably in the VEP GPW, a Sheller OD green Steering Wheel with the 3/8 mold plug. It has been over painted in grey and has some cracks, but this came from my brother with a Ross steering box. I need to clean that up an post pics. I understand some of the VEPs came with the Ross marked gearboxes and the OD sheller wheels.
Sheller Teering wheel1.jpg
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Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

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Re: VEP Ford Script Serial No. 3742 on Midland Frame

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jun 30, 2017 8:49 pm

Found this in my brother's stash
heat shield2.jpg
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Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
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