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 US 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 US 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.
Ford-manufactured Jeeps are recognisable by their pressed-ste...