GPW17331

Feb, 1942 - GPW1 thru end of first contract, April, 1942 - GPW15000 NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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Klaas
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GPW17331

Post by Klaas » Fri Oct 26, 2018 3:16 am

Hello all,

I am a new guy on this forum, but have visited the forum many times in the past two years while doing research for the restoration of my early GPW jeep.
I am the proud owner of Ford GPW17331, DOD 21-april-1942, VEP/EP Script body, original frame and dash plates.
US (California) origin, imported to the Netherlands (Europe) just before I got my hands on it.
It came to me in running condition, 95% complete and original with almost all F-script bolts and parts.
Spent almost all of its life in the USA and was fitted with all (field)modifications during its service life.
In the distant past the whole car had been sandblasted, so no hood numbers to be found….
The engine has been replaced with a Willys block dated to 1944 (MB540727), possibly at the time when Higgins reconditioned it at the end of 1944 or early 1945.
Now fully restored and back on the road in the Netherlands.

I have copied the following list, found in posts on the forum and applied my findings on GPW17331 to it for the GPW guru’s out there:

Ford scripted rear panel
No rear panel reinforcing brackets (field mod - fitted, welded not bolted)
No ribbed reinforcement-glovebox
No trailer socket (field mod - fitted)
No spare gas can carrier (field mod - now removed)
Mostly Ford marked bolts, even the two 1/4” on the horn mounting
Short hood ground straps
No tire pump bracket-rear seat
Dual wipers-individual arms
Bronze windshield catches
No rifle rack on windshield (field mod - now removed)
Grill-no depression in center
No blackout driving light or switch (field mod tombstone - now removed)
Rubber grommets
Metal knobs-light/panel switches
Keyed ignition switch
Non-Keyed glovebox lock
S-W gauges-fuel/amps/oil
Speedometer-Stewart Warner (K3)
Small neck gas tank (had later type tank fitted when bought)
Driver seat-small neck opening (restored)
Intake manifold without plugs
One piece radiator hoses
Ford front and back bumpers (jig holes)
Ford marked bumperettes
Ford Transmission fill hole on LH side (low fill)
Small Diameter Rear Drive Shaft
Torque reaction spring (Ford marked; kit field mod?)
Scalloped flange - short rear axle
No trailer eyes on pintle hook (are now fitted after reaming out holes)
2 spring loaded body mounting bolts (originals were too far gone to refit, but new are being sourced)
2-hole axehead bracket

Additional field mods found on GPW17331 not listed above:
Decontaminator bracket bolts in passenger floor
3-strip lubrication chart holder under hood (Ford field mod?)
spare wheel support foot (now removed)
Now fitted green Sheller steering wheel

I would like to know at which plant this GPW was built, so any information would be appreciated.
I am having a bit of trouble including pictures in this post, so for the time being only a few.

Klaas
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Last edited by Klaas on Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:18 am, edited 2 times in total.
Klaas
GPW17331 - April 21 1942 - Dallas, "J-dot"
BSA Airborne Bicycle R49171 - 1944


1942GPW
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Re: GPW17331

Post by 1942GPW » Fri Oct 26, 2018 4:43 am

Very nice jeep. Thanks for posting! Eric
10/7/42 Ford GPW (SN 70778)
11/42 Willys MBT (SN 13021)

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Re: GPW17331

Post by YLG80 » Fri Oct 26, 2018 9:10 am

Congratulations ! This is a very neat jeep !

Your jeep is still registered in the G503 serial numbers database to the previous owner in Janesville, California.
https://g503.com/oldsite/serial-numbers ... rd_id=1862

Funny, your jeep was completely yellow before being restored :) ! And it was already in good condition.
GPW-17331.png
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:D :D
This is what the previous owner mentioned in the G503 database:
It is bright Yellow! When we were kids, my uncle thought that was a sharp color for the Jeep. We haven't rebuilt it yet - so yellow it is...
Would you mind to register it again but to your name so that we all know that you beautiful jeep is now in Europe.
Have a lot of fun with your jeep.
Yves
Ford GPW 1943 - Louisville - DoD 12-7-43
serial 164794

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Klaas
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Re: GPW17331

Post by Klaas » Fri Oct 26, 2018 10:10 am

Hi Yves,

When I bought my jeep at the end of 2016, it came complete with a letter from the US owner stating some details of his family's ownership; his grandfather already had it over 50 years ago. He liked to be kept informed of progress, but despite me sending him e-mails and a letter, he never replied....
The jeep was basically a runner at that time, but with disintegrating wiring, installed at the factory 75 years ago, I did not take the chance to try.
The jeep being California based kept it remarkably rust free and all bolts came out with regular tools (no big hammer or blowtorch required).
The previous owners had upgraded the brakes with later larger drums, but amazingly kept the originals in a cardboard box in the back!! Guess which ones I fitted.

I will try to acces the old data for this GPW and update it. ( I was amazed that I could find the old images still on the www by just typing GPW17331, just like you did.

Thanks,
Klaas
Klaas
GPW17331 - April 21 1942 - Dallas, "J-dot"
BSA Airborne Bicycle R49171 - 1944

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Klaas
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Re: GPW17331

Post by Klaas » Fri Oct 26, 2018 10:24 am

Unfortunately I cannot edit the existing data for GPW17331 as the password from the previous owner is required.
Nonetheless I have entered a new entry for GPW17331 in my name.

Klaas
Klaas
GPW17331 - April 21 1942 - Dallas, "J-dot"
BSA Airborne Bicycle R49171 - 1944

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Chuck Lutz
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Re: GPW17331

Post by Chuck Lutz » Fri Oct 26, 2018 10:58 am

For the factory info on where your GPW was produced, just ask Tom Woboldt.....oops! You can't do that any longer. He was banished for stepping on somebody's toes or God-knows-what because if they told you WHY he was banned they'd have to kill you. For now....it must be a national security matter.

There goes decades of jeep history on the GPW out the window that is no longer available to G503 or G-Facebook members. If you are interested in what happened, don't ask Tom...he hasn't been able to get a straight answer either!

Hey....if you find out WHY, let the rest of the Free World know!
Chuck Lutz

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

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Re: GPW17331

Post by YLG80 » Fri Oct 26, 2018 1:17 pm

Klaas wrote:
Fri Oct 26, 2018 10:24 am
Unfortunately I cannot edit the existing data for GPW17331 as the password from the previous owner is required.
Nonetheless I have entered a new entry for GPW17331 in my name.

Klaas
Thank you very much for the news entry.
The 2 entries will tell us about your jeep history.
I bet with you that Tom will give you the information if he happen to read your post.

Yves
Last edited by YLG80 on Fri Oct 26, 2018 11:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ford GPW 1943 - Louisville - DoD 12-7-43
serial 164794

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Klaas
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Re: GPW17331

Post by Klaas » Fri Oct 26, 2018 9:40 pm

Hi Chuck,

If Tom happens to read this post (if he is still allowed to read) he can always PM me for information.

Thanks,
Klaas
Klaas
GPW17331 - April 21 1942 - Dallas, "J-dot"
BSA Airborne Bicycle R49171 - 1944

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Re: GPW17331

Post by YLG80 » Sat Oct 27, 2018 12:14 am

Klaas wrote:
Fri Oct 26, 2018 9:40 pm
Hi Chuck,

If Tom happens to read this post (if he is still allowed to read) he can always PM me for information.

Thanks,
Klaas
Hi Klaas,
You know a lot about your jeep. That's very good!
I'm with Chuck on what happened to Tom. It's incomprehensible.

But check your email, you will likely receive an information on your Jeep :wink: .
Yves
Ford GPW 1943 - Louisville - DoD 12-7-43
serial 164794

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Klaas
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Re: GPW17331

Post by Klaas » Sat Oct 27, 2018 12:50 am

Hi Yves,

Looking forward to receiving the information.
Luckily I have very short toes and a long temper :wink:

Thanks,
Klaas
Klaas
GPW17331 - April 21 1942 - Dallas, "J-dot"
BSA Airborne Bicycle R49171 - 1944

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Klaas
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Re: GPW17331

Post by Klaas » Sun Apr 21, 2019 4:07 am

Klaas wrote:
Fri Oct 26, 2018 3:16 am
Hello all,

I am a new guy on this forum, but have visited the forum many times in the past two years while doing research for the restoration of my early GPW jeep.
I am the proud owner of Ford GPW17331, DOD 21-april-1942, VEP/EP Script body, original frame and dash plates.
US (California) origin, imported to the Netherlands (Europe) just before I got my hands on it.
It came to me in running condition, 95% complete and original with almost all F-script bolts and parts.
Spent almost all of its life in the USA and was fitted with all (field)modifications during its service life.
In the distant past the whole car had been sandblasted, so no hood numbers to be found….
The engine has been replaced with a Willys block dated to 1944 (MB540727), possibly at the time when Higgins reconditioned it at the end of 1944 or early 1945.
Now fully restored and back on the road in the Netherlands.

I have copied the following list, found in posts on the forum and applied my findings on GPW17331 to it for the GPW guru’s out there:

Ford scripted rear panel
No rear panel reinforcing brackets (field mod - fitted, welded not bolted)
No ribbed reinforcement-glovebox
No trailer socket (field mod - fitted)
No spare gas can carrier (field mod - now removed)
Mostly Ford marked bolts, even the two 1/4” on the horn mounting
Short hood ground straps
No tire pump bracket-rear seat
Dual wipers-individual arms
Bronze windshield catches
No rifle rack on windshield (field mod - now removed)
Grill-no depression in center
No blackout driving light or switch (field mod tombstone - removed)
Rubber grommets
Metal knobs-light/panel switches
Keyed ignition switch
Non-Keyed glovebox lock
S-W gauges-fuel/amps/oil
Speedometer-Stewart Warner (K3)
Small neck gas tank (had later type tank fitted when bought)
Driver seat-small neck opening (restored)
Intake manifold without plugs
One piece radiator hoses
Ford front and back bumpers (jig holes)
Ford marked bumperettes
Ford Transmission fill hole on LH side (low fill)
Small Diameter Rear Drive Shaft
Torque reaction spring (Ford marked; kit field mod?)
Scalloped flange - short rear axle
No trailer eyes on pintle hook (are now fitted after reaming out holes)
2 spring loaded body mounting bolts (originals were too far gone to refit, but new replacements now fitted)
2-hole axehead bracket

Additional field mods found on GPW17331 not listed above:
Decontaminator bracket bolts in passenger floor
3-strip lubrication chart holder under hood (Ford field mod?)
spare wheel support foot (now removed)
Now fitted green Sheller steering wheel

I would like to know at which plant this GPW was built, so any information would be appreciated.
I am having a bit of trouble including pictures in this post, so for the time being only a few.

Klaas
The spring loaded body bolts are now fitted, just in time for GPW17331 's 77th birthday, which is today: Happy 77th!!!
Klaas
GPW17331 - April 21 1942 - Dallas, "J-dot"
BSA Airborne Bicycle R49171 - 1944

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Re: GPW17331

Post by Ed Roberts » Sun Apr 21, 2019 5:12 pm

Happy Birthday 17331, and Klass thanks for keeping history alive and moving forward. I have GPW 5739 (03-17-42) that had (has) evidence of having spent time in your neighborhood before I became its caretaker in Oakland CA USA. Thank you. History is vital: if we share, we learn. Our vehicles are the vehicles to do just that.
Best to you, Eddie
V/r Eddie
1942 GPW #5739 "Sentimental Reasons"
MVPA & MVCC

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Re: GPW17331

Post by Klaas » Fri Apr 26, 2019 10:23 am

Thank you Eddie, for your kind words.

I am very pleased with 17331, runs like a dream and I have covered over a 1000 miles in it in the year since it is back on the road.
My first car, over 40 years ago, was a jeep; a Follys (Ford-built GPW body on a Willys slat grille frame (No 114416) ex- Norwegian army) which I owned and used for over 5 years.
When the barn where I garaged it was broken down I had nowhere to keep it indoors, so it had to be sold and something more "sensible" came....
Always there was something in the back of my mind that there was going to be another jeep someday.....and that happened about two years ago.
Gone full circle now and enjoying every minute of it.
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Klaas
GPW17331 - April 21 1942 - Dallas, "J-dot"
BSA Airborne Bicycle R49171 - 1944

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Re: GPW17331

Post by Klaas » Wed May 11, 2022 9:05 pm

Time for an update.
GPW17331 celebrated its 80th birthday a couple of weeks ago and is still in much better shape than a lot of 80 year olds :wink:
For its birthday I gave it a wireless set nr. 19 and finally marked it up as Canadian. Markings represent a vehicle of the Headquarters of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade (independent), who liberated our part of the world in May 1945.
The vehicle registration serial number is made up by using the CM42***** marking as used exclusively by Canadian Forces in Europe and the jeep's frame number. For the purists: CM4217331 would originally have been in the range of the Canadian Contract MB slat grille's and not on a 1942 GPW :oops:
GPW17331 is still used at least every week all year round to keep things moving and does about 2-3000 trouble free miles every year. Currently the odometer registers at 99745 genuine miles, so very soon "back to zero".
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Klaas
GPW17331 - April 21 1942 - Dallas, "J-dot"
BSA Airborne Bicycle R49171 - 1944

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Re: GPW17331

Post by 70th Division » Thu May 12, 2022 6:00 am

Hello Klaas,


Wow what a great Jeep restoration and story you have with your Jeep !!!
She is absolutely beautiful :D :D :D :D

You have done a world class job on bringing her back to its former glory !

It is very nice to see these jeeps found in the USA, restarting their lives in Europe, running free and alive with History !!

Great markings on the jeep :D :D


Also, it looks like you have a 4x4 stamped on your original data plate.

That means your jeep was built in Dallas, Texas, at the Ford factory located there :D :D


Best Regards,
Ray
Last edited by 70th Division on Thu May 12, 2022 6:07 am, edited 1 time in total.


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