The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024

+ buyer’s premium of 12.5% plus VAT (15% incl VAT) on the first £300,000 of the hammer and 10% plus VAT (12% incl VAT) thereafter 175 Today, Jeep stands alone as a brand in its own right, however, for the first three decades of the marque’s life it was known, formally and informally, as Willys Jeep. That’s ironic, as Willys-Overland did not actually ‘invent’ the Jeep - that feat is attributed to engineer Karl Probst, working at the American Bantam Car Company in Butler, Pennsylvania. Created to respond to a World War II Quartermaster Corps RFP for a light 4x4 vehicle, Bantam’s entry met the specification requirements but was underpowered compared to the competitor from Willys, which turned out to be too heavy. Ford’s Pygmy was praised for its agility, but its tractor engine was also underpowered. In the final accounting, the Willys was judged best value. Bantam, moreover, lacked the capacity to produce the quantity that the Army needed, so Willys was contracted as the principal supplier in July 1941 (Bantam got a contract for utility trailers as a consolation prize). As the War outside the US continued, a second supplier with deep resources was called for, so Ford, runner-up in the RFP evaluation, joined the march to war in October 1941. Since standardisation was paramount in military logistics, the Ford Jeeps were all but identical to the Willys MB models. This meant using a clone of the 134 cubic inch L-head Willys four and interchangeable running gear. Production of the Ford GPW began in January 1942 and by war’s end, nearly 278,000 had been delivered, second to Willys’ 362,800, but not by much. Ford-manufactured Jeeps are recognisable by their pressed-steel grilles as opposed to the Willys’ slat grille style. The Ford GPW Jeeps are, so say, more sought after than the Willys as the Ford GPW was only manufactured during WWII, so by default it must be an original wartime vehicle. Willys, however, continued with Jeep production after WWII so unfortunately there are many non-WWII vehicles masquerading as original wartime vehicles. The vehicle presented here is a 1943 Ford GPW ‘Willys’ Jeep (chassis #GPW- 154249), being registered in UK on 1st October 1970 (historic vehicle). Always in the hands of enthusiasts, it was fully restored with help from Dallas Auto, the WW2 Jeep, MS01 and Dodge Specialists of Berkshire, run by expert Stephen Rivers with invoices totalling over £8,000. It comes adorned with ‘authentic’ bullet holes which definitely adds a sense of theatre. Described as being in ‘excellent working order’, this is as good as you’d want your Jeep. Now arguably more iconic than a Sherman Tank or P-51 Mustang, the Jeep is for many the definitive WWII vehicle and the perfect Goodwood Revival accessory. Every ‘proper’ car Collection should contain a US Military Jeep; highly collectible and this is a very good example of the more sought after Ford GPW derivative. Registration: LEV 39J Chassis No.: GPW-154249 Estimate: £20,000 - £25,000 Specialist: Joseph Watts Telephone No: 07779 082707 Lot 249 1943 Ford GPW ‘Willys’ Jeep More Details Lot 249 Bid On Lot 249