Description
The Ford GPW was one of the two main versions of the legendary World War II Jeep, the vehicle that became an icon of mobility, ruggedness, and military ingenuity. Produced between 1942 and 1945, the GPW was Ford’s licensed version of the Willys MB, built to the same specifications under a U.S. government contract to meet the massive wartime demand. Together, the Willys and Ford Jeeps provided the Allies with an indispensable light utility vehicle, capable of operating in nearly any terrain and under the harshest conditions.
The designation “GPW” stood for “Government contract,” “80-inch wheelbase,” and “Willys design.” While Willys-Overland had won the primary contract for the Jeep, the U.S. Army needed such huge numbers that Ford was brought in as a second supplier. Ford engineers made some refinements to production processes, and the GPWs were nearly identical to the Willys MBs, with most parts being fully interchangeable. The most visible difference was the stamped “F” marking that Ford placed on many components, from bolts to body panels, to indicate Ford manufacture.
The Ford GPW was powered by the same “Go-Devil” engine used in the Willys MB, a 134 cubic inch (2.2-liter) inline four-cylinder producing 60 horsepower. Paired with a three-speed manual gearbox and a two-speed transfer case, it drove all four wheels, giving the Jeep exceptional off-road capability. Its compact size, light weight, and short wheelbase made it agile in mud, sand, snow, and rough ground, and it could tow small artillery pieces, carry radios, or be adapted with stretcher mounts. Its rugged simplicity allowed it to be repaired easily in the field with minimal tools.
The body was strictly utilitarian, with flat panels, open sides, and seating for four. The folding windshield and removable canvas top gave flexibility for different conditions, while the design’s simplicity ensured rapid mass production. The Jeep could be fitted with a wide variety of equipment, including machine guns, communications gear, and even railway wheels for running on tracks.
More than 277,000 Ford GPWs were built during the war, alongside about 360,000 Willys MBs. Together, they gave the Allied forces a light, reliable, and adaptable vehicle that could serve in roles ranging from reconnaissance and troop transport to ambulance and supply duties. General Dwight D. Eisenhower later described the Jeep as one of the most important tools of victory, alongside the C-47 transport aircraft and the landing craft.
Today, the Ford GPW is highly prized by military vehicle collectors and restorers. Original examples, with their distinctive “F”-stamped parts, are especially sought after. The GPW represents not just a historic military machine, but also a symbol of American ingenuity and industrial might during World War II. Its legacy lives on in the Jeep brand and in the enduring concept of the small, rugged 4×4 utility vehicle that has influenced generations of off-road vehicles worldwide.