This is my GPW. From the frame number, we believe it was made in Dallas in April of 42. However, like so many wartime Jeeps, it’s a mix of years and even manufacturers. One of the earlier layers of paint had a number and crest on it – the body was blue at that point and the rims yellow so we knew it was Air Force. I was able to trace the crest to a radar battalion that was stationed in New England from 48-52. Of course the earliest paint on it was Army air corps OD, so I assume it lived most of its military life in New England serving at air bases.
Growing up I always wanted a Jeep but my father, with whom I worked on cars as a kid, wasn’t about to buy a Jeep in a crate, no matter how good the deal from the Government was. So I had to wait until I was in my 40s to acquire a ‘project Jeep’ and a ‘parts Jeep’. (I’m also involved in WWII living history and help run a large WWII event in NE Ohio, D-Day Conneaut… so a WWII Jeep is definitely a useful thing to have).
It took about two years and the help of several friends to make the project Jeep into ‘Speedy’. We call it speedy because for my WWII impression I shoot a Speed Graphic camera (picture below).
The project Jeep needed extensive body work, a lot of additional parts, a engine and transmission (like the big important parts!). I had also assumed that because I love history I would love working on a historical vehicle but I’m not much of a gear head and quickly found that I liked body work and electrical and not a whole lot else. That made for a bit longer project but it all came together and I learned a lot more about a vehicle than I’d planned to. Manuals and YouTube videos were invaluable and several steps along the way wouldn’t have been possible for us without those ever helpful government manuals.
Some of our hurdles weren’t necessarily our fault – after assembling everything, we couldn’t get the engine to turn over – and found out that the company that had rebuilt it had put some key parts in backward 😕. That was remedied with a second rebuild and the help of a very knowledgeable friend.
We’ve also taken her on some pretty long drives – a hundred miles each way but haven’t gotten to do any of the long convoys or cross country drives but I’m hoping to get to do one of those in the near future.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Betsy Bashore
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Dave &sasha
Love the personal historical context with the period uniforms and accessories. Really brings the old jeeps back to life instead of a static display. I have a 43 GPW too (with a Studebaker straight 6!) that is begging to be restored. Let’s convoy!
I think I remember meeting you at the D-Day event there on Lake Erie. I have volunteered there several times. The restoration of the jeep was a fantastic project and yours turned out great! Your appearance as a Signal Corps photographer is outstanding. The one photo looks like it was lifted out of Life magazine. You mentioned convoys. You have fellow Buckeyes who also volunteer there at D-Day- a gal and her brother. They have participated in a few long convoys sponsored by the MVPA-HA. Our next one in in October 2024. We will run the entire Jefferson Highway from Winnipeg to New Orleans. The MVPA website will provide convoy details. Participants can run the entire route (a full month), a section, or a day or two. All 1/4 ton vehicles run as a group. I am responsible for the Ft Scott, KS to New Orleans section.
Thank you for sharing your restoration! And, I hope you will consider joining us.
Chuck Toney
Nice job and great story. Does anyone know we’re to get a good outdoor car cover. I have 43 Willys and the California sun is brutal on the covers I have gotten. Thank you Mike
Holly smokes, looks like my shop, learned to drive when I was 12 in a 46 CJ 2A and have had the sickness ever since, now I have several and need to thin some out, but that trip cross country sound like a hoot. So enjoyed the story and all you did with the researching of it. Gets kinda small under the dash doesn’t it, and like all the pictures so much, the one with the camera is my favorite but do like the one that shows max speed 40 MPH about the steering column. Some guy is very lucky to have a Willys Gal. Need any parts have them falling out of my shop.
It’s great to see your commitment regards your restoration. I really appreciate the effort you made to track down the owning military unit, that says quite a big about your interest in the restoration hobby. Love your choice of uniform as reenactor, realistic and period correct especially the Speedy!
I currently reside in Ohio and restore military vehicles for my nonprofit and my collection. I have an original but not yet restored 1942 GPW Script jeep, and a 1943 M16A2 Antiaircraft Halftrack that I recovered from Africa. I have several Korean era vehicles and hopefully will close a deal next week on a 1942 Command Car (WC-56).
It’s a great way share history with others!
Best of luck with your restoration. As you well know, they are never truly finished.
COL K
Excellent restoration! I too agree that that old camera gives that certain touch of class! It makes me so happy you brought Speedy back to life!
I have an old 1946 Willys CJ-2 restoration that I will be starting soon! Engine, transmission, transfer case – MIA! She’s REAL rough around the body! It will be very enjoyable to see her drive the hills in Montana.
Nice job! Be safe! Enjoy!
Randy
So awesome work,,your hubby is one lucky guy,,,and you have the same hoist in you shop as me…if you know of anyone who is in need of a MB early model trans and transfer case,,have a great professionally rebuild one. it has the heavy shifter stick . Really cook pictures, love all the old Jeeps, learned to drive at 12 on our old 46 2A,,,drove all over the place,,,that was when time was different. was in the late 50’s.
Gravel ,
Great job congratulations !
I would also love to get hold of one of those early MBs.
Warm greetings,
Sam
Excellent resto; the camera makes it even more period correct.
Nice to see ya gettin down and dirty Besty with your peep. Nothin like doing it yourself! Mike
that is awesome work – love the jeep – these projects have big rewards. Love the living history impression that you are doing. I do the same with my 1950 M38 with a Korean War and post Korean war impression !!!
Excellent. Restore them don’t destroy them. Good example. Wish you lots of good drives. I have restored several MB one Ford and now I am finishing a cj 5 that spent 30 years in the Suisse military. Best regards. Dave
Excellent. Restore them don’t destroy them. Good example. Wish you lots of good drives. I have restored several MB one Ford and now I am finishing a cj 5 that spent 30 years in the Suisse military. Best regards. Dave
Great job, don’t see many speed graphics any more, I was lucky to use one, it might have belonged to battalion when I was stationed in West Germany (1963). I bought a 42 restorable and a 42 parts (front axel), plus other parts, hopefully rear differential.
Marvelous and inspirational! You’ve shown us tenacity, long-suffering and skill. A lovely job. Doesn’t appear that you or the jeep changed much. Great job!
Betsy great job. Thanks for keeping the history alive. My Aunt was a WAC in WW2. She would have loved this…..Make sure you join the MVPA.
Thanks Again,
Steve
Rosie would be proud!
Nice job.
Nice story about your Jeep, I have a 1948 ive had 50 years. But thats nothing I had my 40 ford 61 years, longer than my three wifes. Shoot me an email I will show you more, i live in the mountians of N.C. .My Jeep has not run for 20 years, i will be 78 next week time to get it running dont you think?
Tom
These Jeeps keep me moving forward on mine. I’ve got a ruff ‘43 Ford but pretty much all there. Engine overhaul -$500, trans-$1000, $250 each on the Danas. Do y’all thing those are good overhaul prices? TY
Thank you so much for the great share. Great photos and well detailed story that makes it worth the read. Very interested on where you found reliable source material for your paint scheme and setup. Keep it rollin’.
Absolutely brilliant article and a stunning restoration,this made my day. Congratulations and thank you for bringing this wonderful piece of history back to ‘life’ for present and hopefully future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
Best regards and drive safe.
James Meehan.