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Background of the Jeep
The initial contract for the jeeps, (Willys model MB), was awarded to 'Willys Overland Motors' in October, 1941 Which was
Shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequently America's entry into WWII. A number of manufacturers submitted plans and whilst
many still argue about design sources, features and designs from all prototypes were incorporated into the MB. (MB meaning Model B).
The Army felt that a second producer of Jeeps would be required (for many reasons) and The Ford Motor Company was contracted to build
Jeeps based on the Willys MB design, with parts being interchangable. Ford's designated their model 'GPW'
(G meaning Government, P meaning 80 inch wheel base, and W meaning Willys design).
A common misconception is that the name "Jeep" was derived from a merging the letters "GP", but the word "Jeep" was in common usage
years before the first jeep appeared. In fact some reports are that the term Jeep was motor pool language used by the military to describe any vehicle supplied for testing.
There were 650,000 Jeeps produced between November 1941 and AUgust 1945. At the end of the war Ford stopped producing jeeps, but Willys using the
Jeep name (and despite it history, copyrighting it) and produced many successful civilian versions of the Jeep.
The most recent civilian version is the model JK which can be seen on the below links.
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History of this vehicle
It is believed this vehicle was delivered to the pacific islands, then relocated to Brisbane, serving under the command of General McArthur.
After the war it was purchased by a farmer in the Toowoomba region, having one more owner before the current owner. The vehicle is currently
in a very close to the original condition.
Brisbane had many US forces during the period of the war, hence much equipment has survived through to today.
Most Jeeps are Olive Drab (which is a US military green colour) however Jeeps have been found in many different colours, particurly those used by the Air Force, which can be blue (even a chequered red/yellow for the special 'follow me' Jeeps). Whilst the US Military do have a standard for what the official Olive Drab colour is, almost all Jeeps seem to be in a slightly different green variation.
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Description and condition
The vehicle is in good conditions and fully functional. Most parts are original, however some parts are modern reproduction of original parts.
The engine (Ser # 111653, which is from an earlier vehicle), was fully rebuilt in January 2007. The rebuild incorporated replacement cranckshaft,
new pistion, rings, re-sleve of cylinders back to standard, new valve seats, new bearings, and the list goes on.
You will note in the picture to the left, the grey engine block (yes it looks like a block), Oil bath air filter at the top right, Oil filter just below the battery, the horn is at the bottem right, and just to the right of that is the oil dropper !
Another interesting feature of this vehicle is the head lights, which are hinged so they reverse into the engine bay, presumerably so you can repair the engine at night.
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