This 1943 GPW (Jeep) was first delivered to the Long Beach Naval Station in California on July 1st 1942. It was initially assigned as an administrative Jeep. In November 1944, the Jeep was “restored” by Higgins of New Orleans as stated on a brass plaque mounted on the dash. Higgins was a major boat suppler during the war but apparently also worked on Jeeps. The right rear quarter of the Jeep was replaced at some point and possibly this was the repair done by Higgins. It was later deployed on an aircraft carrier en route to Japan when the war ended in 1945.
The Jeep returned and completed its military service. In 1946 it was purchased as surplus by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) where it began its 9-year law enforcement career. The original military green was painted tan with LASD markings of the day and outfitted with current state of the art police and rescue equipment. It faithfully served as a mountain rescue/patrol vehicle at the LASD Altadena Sheriff’s station.
In 1955, it was auctioned and purchased by a movie studio. At some point the Jeep was painted blue, then successive different shades of green. Sometime in the early 1960s it was purchased by a private individual in Southern California where it remained parked uncovered in a driveway for decades. Upon the individuals passing, his son, a fireman, rebuilt the engine with a little help from his fireman friends but the body and interior remained dilapidated and weathered.
The Jeep was again on the move in 2017 when it was sold to a military museum in Belgium. While preparing to restore it, craftsmen began removing the layers of decades old paint, ultimately revealing the original hand painted LASD markings.
In March of 2019, the Belgium museum contacted LASD and asked if they would like to buy the Jeep. The LASD museum jumped at the chance to recover this historic piece of department memorabilia. The purchase was made and the arduous and costly process of “importing” the domestically manufactured jeep over 5600 miles back home began. It arrived in Los Angeles in 2020 in poor, non-running condition with several parts, including the fuel tank, mysteriously absent.
In April 2024, the author, a retired captain, volunteered to restore the Jeep. Armed with the latest Kaiser Willys catalog, the original 134 ci “Go Devil” engine and drivetrain were carefully inspected and repaired.
Historical photographs of the Jeep while in service were located in LASD archives to insure an accurate restoration. Prior to disassembly, the original LASD body markings were measured and photographed. The body was then completely stripped and hydro-blasted to bare metal. All major damage and any rust spots were repaired. Existing body interior and exterior accessory holes, minor dings, factory spot welds and other era-like imperfections were allowed to remain as testament to its 80-year-old heritage and prior military/police service. Tires and rims were completely dissembled, stripped, straightened, primed and painted with single stage 2K black satin urethane. New Firestone military tires were added. All existing body and dash holes were preserved and later identified for reuse during restoration.
Once completed, the body was primed and the interior tub was coated with a durable 2K urethane bedliner. The entire Jeep was then sprayed with numerous coats of a tan semi-gloss 2K automotive urethane. Exact reproduction LASD decals were created in automotive grade vinyl and applied.
All new gauges and a complete 12V electrical system and wiring harness was installed. Original era police radios and emergency equipment (red light/siren/military field telephone) was located in LASD storage, restored and reinstalled in their original mounting holes. Correct OD green fabric was sourced and custom-made seats were sewn up (2-inch multi-layer foam backs and 3-inch multi-layer seats). They were installed on the original restored frames. The original glove box mounted data plates were carefully restored in place and left as originally affixed in 1941.
New old stock pioneer tools (axe and shovel) were obtained and refinished. A new OD green canvas top and frame were installed along with the restored spare tire assembly, OD green jerry can, spring whip radio antenna and a vintage black on yellow California government “E” plate.
In June 2024 the restoration was completed and the Jeep made its public debut at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Relief Association at Dodger stadium. It was then featured in the 4th of July parade with the Sheriff himself riding shotgun.
This GPW has seen it all over the last 82 years. It has honorably served its country and the citizens of Los Angeles County. Now that it’s restored and back home, it will be able to spend the next 82 years taking it easy attending community events and cruising parades.
- Greg Davis
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Great story ! Keep it going !
gr. The0