History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

If you have an unrestored WWII jeep, we would like to see pictures, and hear your comments. NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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rbrandtnc
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History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

Post by rbrandtnc » Wed Oct 26, 2016 5:31 pm

Can anyone assist me in learning the history of GPW s/n 61223 DOD 8/26/42, where manufactured, where shipped to etc? I recovered this unit while I lived in Papua New Guinea in the 1980's. It has a few parts on it that were installed from other rusted out jeeps I found in PNG during my nine (9) years there. I now have it running well and don't intend to attempt to try restore further to original as it would loose the patina and character that it has after being recovered from the jungles of New Guinea where I'm assuming it was used in WWII.
Thanks.
Roger B., North Carolina


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Tom Wolboldt
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Re: History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

Post by Tom Wolboldt » Thu Oct 27, 2016 12:39 am

Hi Roger,

To help answer your questions I would need a photo of the serial number data plate and the complete frame serial number stamping either posted here or emailed to me. Does this GPW have a trailer plug socket ?

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Re: History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

Post by Cairo » Sat Oct 29, 2016 4:14 am

Wow--would love to see some pictures of this one.

Best,

Bill
42 GPW
44 MB
45 MB
46 CJ-2a Column Shift
42 Bantam T-3

Weren't they all running the last time they were parked?

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Re: History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

Post by twinflyer17 » Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:02 am

I'd love to see some pictures, too!
Sean

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

MVPA
AOPA

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h1zelmann
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Re: History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

Post by h1zelmann » Tue Nov 15, 2016 2:13 am

Hello!

Please, absolutely photos, the serial number was only 3000 pieces away from mine!

Best regards!
h1
FORD GPW 64414 - 20151120
WILLYS CJ3B with trailer

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Tom Wolboldt
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Re: History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

Post by Tom Wolboldt » Tue Nov 15, 2016 2:27 am

Hi h1,

Is your GPW's listed hood number 20151120 original or an estimate ?

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h1zelmann
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Re: History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

Post by h1zelmann » Tue Nov 15, 2016 4:28 am

Hi tom,

i have recovered the number under four layers, so i think that it is a originally:

Image

best,
h1
FORD GPW 64414 - 20151120
WILLYS CJ3B with trailer

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Tom Wolboldt
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Re: History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

Post by Tom Wolboldt » Tue Nov 15, 2016 4:31 am

Great job recovering the hood numbers !!! Was there a serial number data plate ?

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Re: History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

Post by h1zelmann » Tue Nov 15, 2016 4:57 am

Hi Tom,

The plates were unfortunately not there.

The body has no number, which at Ford Script I believe was normal.
The frame number is 64414, estimated delivery date 10.09.1942.
Body and frame seem to have always been together with high security (holes on the holder plate etc.)

but, one time during the war, the car was repainted. (two star on the hood, the small one between hood and body, and the bigger one on the center of the hood, both without the circle.

more pics under

viewtopic.php?f=96&t=242668

h1
FORD GPW 64414 - 20151120
WILLYS CJ3B with trailer

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Re: History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

Post by rbrandtnc » Tue Nov 15, 2016 7:24 am

Tom wrote:Hi Roger,

To help answer your questions I would need a photo of the serial number data plate and the complete frame serial number stamping either posted here or emailed to me. Does this GPW have a trailer plug socket ?

Tom;
Sorry for radio silence......spent the last two weeks getting one of my kids married off......
Having trouble uploading photo of s/n plate, says file is too large....will continue to try. No frame number available as left side of front frame has strengthening gusset welded over where I think the frame number should be. Unit does not have trailer plug socket.
In PNG in the 1980's there was internet and no real availability to find replacement parts so we welded and interchanged rusted parts out from two other recovered hulks as best we could. Painted it with off green color (all that was available) to prevent further rust. In absence of knowledge and other I.D. numbers, I just had the s/n stenciled on to the hood. I appreciate this info is not much to work with.....Tks,

Roger

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Re: History of GPW s/n 61223--can you assist?

Post by gpw6335 » Sun Jan 01, 2017 5:25 am

That jeep must have spent it's jungle life under a shed. I live in South Texas and the elements are hell on sheet metal , wet and salt air, jeeps setting out here for years are rust heaps. For a Jeep to survive that well in that climate tells me it was maintained and not a jungle find. Good luck with your GPW looks great.
1943 GPW 103951
1951 M38 27714
1952 M38a1 28888
1969 M274A5
1972 M151A2
1943 MBT
1951 M100
1979 M416
1962 M37B1


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