I am new to the MV hobby (although not to old cars). After being urged
by my 3 young boys I have acquired a 1943 GPW. It has been "restored" in
a fashion.....so I have plenty of opportunity to learn about GPW's and
restoration....and plenty of questions.
What I know of the vehicle is that it was delivered to the USAAF (or
should that be USAAC?) on 4/14/43 (my father's 20th birthday). It was
used in the US, probably on the flight line as the prior owner found
that the last coat of paint above the primer was yellow. Someone
changed out the engine and replaced it with one from an MB. It has been
converted to 12V with a 12V gebnerator rather than an alternator. A
solenoid was added so it starts by a key. Additional changes are a
vacuum wiper for the driver and welding in reinforcing bars on either
side of the windshield. There are 2 holes drilled in the floor panels
that appear to let water drain out. Overall the prior owner who
"restored" the vehicle has tried to keep the original parts on the
jeep. He did it up as a vehicle from the 23rd Fighter Group, 75th
Squadron that served in China. This squadron was commanded by our local
Flying Tiger, David Lee "Tex" Hill. (Tex has autographed the jeep on
the dash in white paint.) The prior owner used his own birthday as the
hood registration number. I would like to keep the jeep in the 23rd
fighter group, but would like tu use an appropriate hood number. I have
a few books on the 23rd Fighter Group and one of these has a photo of a
jeep that shows a hood number BUT is appears to be an MB.
QUESTION: How can I find a number for a GPW attached to the 23rd FG? Or
should I just use the MB's number?
I have acquired some reference materials on MB/GPW's from MVPA and
Portrayal Press:
1) The Complete WW2 Jeep Manual
2) MV Markings
3) Service Parts List
4) Judging Standard and Restoration Guide
5) The MV Jeep by Nabholtz
QUESTION: What other books would be good to get to use as guides to
further restore the jeep?
The jeep does have a combat wheel for the spare, but not on the ground.
QUESTION: Are reproduction (or original) combat wheels available?
The jeep also lacks the appropriate tires....they are non directional,
but are not the correct size for a WW2 jeep.
QUESTION: What repro tires are best for a GPW?
There is a WW2 jerry can on the back, but it has some rust on the
interior.
QUESTION: How can I save this can before it rusts through?
The fuel sending unit does not work. The horn button on the wheel does
not work (it has been remounted on the dash!) One of the panel lights is
missing. The emergency brake system is only partially present. There
is a gear oil leak somewhere near the transmission/tranfer case.
Shifting is a bit hard, especially into 2nd gear. There are no
"gaskets" sround the glove or tool box areas....Well as you can tell, I
have more issues to btring up but I do not want to overload the digest
all at one time. SO here is a final question:
What are good sources for parts...original and/or repro?
Well, thanks for reading this. More will follow.
DL Kellogg
San Antonio, Texas
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