The Ford GPW was one of the early 4x4's. It was designed by Willys Overland during WWII and made by a contract to Willys. Willys renamed the truck Jeep after the war.
Ford GPW
Here are a few pictures that I had of an interesting 4x4. They ware taken during preparation for the last 4x4 show of our club (Ferdaklubburinn 4x4), where it was on show for the first time.
The Ford GPW military truck is almost identical to the Willys truck. Only the grill is a little bit different with more ribs and smaller headlights. During WWII Ford factories produced the military truck using Willys design drawings with minor modifications.
The tires are somewhat smaller than today's trend!The recently retired owner has for the past years used his spare time restoring this GPW. The engine is a four cylinder flat head Ford with a 6 volt electrical system.
The magnificent dashboard! All the luxury stuff like manually operated wipers, three gears, the first one unsynchronized. The small handle closer to the driver is for engaging the front drive. The other handle changes between high, nautral and low.
Icelanders began using 4x4's in the fifties for travel and outdoor enjoyment. It can be said that the military jeeps (like this one) are the seeds for the type of wheeling we do now.
The power plant, not too much complex computer stuff to break down.
The passenger area offers excellent comfort in all weather!
Rear floating axles are apparently nothing new. The gas tank is located under the driver's seat. The tank you can see extending below the truck is a water container.
The HANDLES at each corner of the truck and the center sides are for LIFTING the truck out of tough situations!
The letters GPW stand for:
G - Government (it was produced for the US Army)
P - 80 inches between front and rear axels
W - Willys design (manufactured from blueprints from Willys-Overland Motor Co.)
The word "Jeep" originated from the cartoon figure "Eugene the Jeep" of the Popeye comic strip created in 1936. Eugene the Jeep was a magical creature and could get everywhere he wanted.
The US Army used the letters GP for General Purpose and put it on tents and other equipment.
Private soldiers, raised watching Popeye began using the word JEEP for the four wheeled vehicle. Probably without knowing what Ford intended GPW to stand for.
Oskar Erlingsson / translated and adapted by Thrandur Arnthorsson
