Meet GPW 268350

If you have an unrestored WWII jeep, we would like to see pictures, and hear your comments. NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
MarfaGPW
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Meet GPW 268350

Post by MarfaGPW » Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:48 am

Meet GPW 268350 delivered May 23, 1945. I actually picked it up last year and have just started looking at it to see what I have. It is my first jeep. I don't plan on any immediate restoration work but will do what I can to get it running. I'm told that it was driven into the parking spot where I picked it up and had been sitting for seven years or more so it should be relatively intact mechanically. It was a ranch/hunting jeep for a long time.

Any advice on getting the engine ready for a first start in seven years?

Body is beat up and has a bit of ranch welded accessories but rust is minimal. The hood has a pouch on the underside of it. I'm not sure why they bolted those steel straps to the hood. Some yellow paint markings are visible through the faded red paint on the hood. It probably came from an old WWII army base here in Marfa, Texas.

I welcome any comments or questions. This forum looks great!

Rob Crowley

Passenger side:
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Front with custom brush guard and bumper, missing windshield, weird headlights:
Image

Rear:
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Interior, the driver seat frame and gas tank are removed but I have them:
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Engine. Still 6V:
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Block stamping on the passenger side. Is this the serial number or block casting number?
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Dash:
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Plate:
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Eyebolt, is that an "F" script?
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Just for fun, here's how I moved two jeeps at once on flatbed and trailer. My buddy bought the other one (GPW 70083).
Image
1945 GPW 268350 5/23/1945 Marfa Texas 20735153


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macaddict23
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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by macaddict23 » Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:06 pm

Congrats and welcome to the G. Your GPW looks to be in great shape and mostly there. A lot of the 45s I've come across are the coveted matching-numbers variety.

For the serial number on the engine, check on the passenger side of the block, directly behind the oil filter housing (circled in the pic below). For the frame, stand next to the driver-side fender, and look down into the engine compartment. Along the top edge of the frame, next to or on the shock mount itself, you'll find the frame number (circled in the pic below)..

Please post and let us know what you find.

Dexter
Screen Shot 2013-01-19 at 1.02.01 PM.png
Screen Shot 2013-01-19 at 1.02.01 PM.png (230.68 KiB) Viewed 8806 times
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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by Bill M » Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:28 pm

Nice find!
The pouch that you refer to may be for a lube chart, hard to say without a reference photo.
Your GPW has the later style reflectors seen on late GPWs.
GPW 45 reflector.jpg
GPW 45 reflector.jpg (31.01 KiB) Viewed 8799 times
Can you read the markings on the bezel and the red lense?
cheers
Bill.
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GPW-178721 Under restoration.

MarfaGPW
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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by MarfaGPW » Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:54 pm

Thanks Dexter! I was not sure where to look for these. Yep, matching numbers on frame and engine!

Image

Image
1945 GPW 268350 5/23/1945 Marfa Texas 20735153

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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by MarfaGPW » Sat Jan 19, 2013 12:57 pm

Hi Bill. Here's a close up of the reflector. Why do you ask?

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1945 GPW 268350 5/23/1945 Marfa Texas 20735153

Bill M
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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by Bill M » Sat Jan 19, 2013 1:14 pm

Thanks for the close up of the reflector Rob.
The reason I ask is there is not a lot of info on these particular reflectors on late GPWs.
There are a few people who will be interested in your lucky find.
congratulations on finding a matching numbers Ford.
cheers
Bill.
Member of G503 since 1999


GPW-178721 Under restoration.

MarfaGPW
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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by MarfaGPW » Sat Jan 19, 2013 1:24 pm

That's interesting Bill. I'm guessing that the jeep might have been used at one of two army bases that were operational during the war and closed down in 1945. We had a pilot training facility called Marfa Army Airfield. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marfa_Army_Airfield. It was part of the base named Fort D. A. Russell that started as a cavalry base. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_D._A._Russell_(Texas)

Interestingly, the airfield was placed on standby on 5/25/1945 two days after the delivery date though I have no proof that the jeep was used locally.

Cheers!
1945 GPW 268350 5/23/1945 Marfa Texas 20735153

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macaddict23
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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by macaddict23 » Sat Jan 19, 2013 3:25 pm

MarfaGPW wrote:Thanks Dexter! I was not sure where to look for these. Yep, matching numbers on frame and engine!
Ding Ding Ding Ding!!!! Jackpot! Now go run and buy some lottery tickets! That's awesome!
"Originality . . . It just needs to be what it is."

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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by macaddict23 » Sat Jan 19, 2013 3:28 pm

Looks like it has the original OD paint under that red! Take your time looking for the hood numbers. Read this post first: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=112487" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Originality . . . It just needs to be what it is."

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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by Ronnie Guin » Sat Jan 19, 2013 4:19 pm

That is one nice jeep. Take lots of photos. Looks like there are many original items to photograph and document for accuracy. :D
Ronnie Guin
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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by Beers » Sat Jan 19, 2013 5:31 pm

Congrats on the nice find Marfa! #'s matching and a bunch of original stuff -
1943 MB 213301 DOD 2-22-43

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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by thidisbogus » Sat Jan 19, 2013 5:33 pm

Great find! Matching numbers, a 1945 (more of the more rare--most common is 1943) a lot of original parts including original crossmember (albeit modified), tire foot, original taillights, trailer plug, rear reflectors, steering wheel, engine looks pretty complete too. If what you saw was yellow under that red, then I bet your suspicions are confirmed that it was at that Army Airfield as a follow-me jeep.

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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by Halsey » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:54 am

Very nice find! Looks like it still has a lot of the small parts that are usually missing! And great news about the numbers matching!


Very cool find!! :D


Chris
43 GPW 122779 7/15/43
43 GPW 105097 3/25/43 Matching numbers.
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nick peters
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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by nick peters » Sun Jan 20, 2013 12:46 pm

Hello Rob
Welcome to the smallish :) group of guys who own matching # gpws. Dont forget to register that fact on Franks list in the history section. Youve got an excellent jeep there :) .Whats your plan for it? Take it to bits and rebuild it? Or retain its history,as it is? Bill has allready asked you about the reflectors. Im curious to know if it has had the fuel filter fitted to the bulkhead.? I can see its missing in the picture, but it seems to indicte from the paint around it,that it was present untill quite recently.It also seems to have the remnents of the fuel line going to that side of the compartment. Was the ignition switch removed before you got the jeep? Again the paint on the dash seems to indicate it wasnt removed so long ago. You mention you have the seats. Are the cushions still present? If so what type are they? Others have mentioned it retains some nice original parts. And indeed it does,did the top bows come with the jeep? Again really great to see another 45 good luck.
regards Nick
ps On Franks list youll see my 45,s :)

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nick peters
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Re: Meet GPW 268350

Post by nick peters » Sun Jan 20, 2013 1:05 pm

Hey Rob
Forgot to answer your question about starting her up. I,d first see if it will turn over with a cranking handle. having removed the side plate to check if the valves are free. If thats all ok adjust the valves and replace the cover. Fit a good/new battery . form an ignition circuit! Check the points are opening and shutting and clean them up. Check the plugs and clean them up, check for good spark. Rig a fuel supply to the carb,check fuel is going down the throat. Connect up and give her a whirl :wink: Did the exact same with mine and she fired up after thirteen spins :wink: If you beat that im real envious :wink: :lol:
regards Nick


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