GPW jeep history

Create a thread to track the progress of you MB/GPW restoration progress. Previously a General Discussion board.
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zborekp
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GPW jeep history

Post by zborekp » Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:31 am

Hello.
Not very long ago I have read a topic about jeeps which served in British army.
My jeep has GPW frame, number is I I x 3 8 9. I don't know third digit because was welded by accident. Well, from this forum I know that frame is from Dallas, produced between Mid April to mid June '43. ACM II body, from January 1944 I think, and engine MB 315537.
I am wonder about my jeep history all the time, I don't know it is possible to find out. I haven't much more information. On the left side of the frame there is stamped number STN 5000218 Maybe with your help, guys I will know something more. It is still possible that after the war in Poland no one could find original GPW frame number, under few layers of paint. And this number is just from Polish diagnostic station. But what if not? It is possible that number 5000218 could be on the car hood, served in British forces? M5000218? Possible or not?
There are few possibilites:
1) Jeep is from the east, Soviet Union, Lend Lease
2) Jeep is from Great Britain, Lend Lease
3) Jeep is from UNRRA gift ( UN support to Poland after the war) - but here, this track is back to USA and Britain.

Is it possible to find out on which contract this jeep sailed to Europe and Where? On attachment picture there is frame stamping. Letters S T N are under paint.
Attachments
IMAG0343.jpg
IMAG0343.jpg (152.08 KiB) Viewed 1003 times
Last edited by zborekp on Sat Apr 27, 2019 12:05 am, edited 1 time in total.


70th Division
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Re: GPW jeep history

Post by 70th Division » Thu Dec 28, 2017 10:15 am

Hello,


That numbering has to be from a European country , Poland, Russia, France, Greece ??
Hopefully others may recognize the style !

Could you post some more pictures of the jeep, and the glove box data plates?
Any rebuild plates on the side of the engine engine or components ?
That would be a great help in finding the history of where your jeep may have been in the past.

Some French ITM jeeps had long serial numbers assigned to them with many zeroes after a rebuild.

http://www.m201.com/

http://www.m201.com/ITM/ITM.htm


Best Regards,

Ray

zborekp
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Posts: 61
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 1:33 pm
Location: Poland

Re: GPW jeep history

Post by zborekp » Fri Dec 29, 2017 6:16 am

Thank you for links. First photo in attachment from this M201 website with french data plate.

Unfortunately there is no middle data plate, on attachment photo there is fake data plate, I made myself to look better. The rest two are brass willys I believe. Also on glovebox door there are 4 holes, who knows for what. I am wonder about missing data plate? Maybe?
No possible to recover frame third digit. There are no others data plate.

Could anyone has a information about British jeep hood numbers? Maybe my number falls in the range? I know that numbers M15..... are rebuild jeeps. But this isn't it.
Is it possible to know in which contract jeep sailed to Europe? (exactly two jeeps, later rebuild in one)
Attachments
22.jpg
From M201 website
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IMAG0348.jpg
IMAG0348.jpg (178.39 KiB) Viewed 937 times
IMAG0345.jpg
IMAG0345.jpg (189.51 KiB) Viewed 937 times

70th Division
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Re: GPW jeep history

Post by 70th Division » Fri Dec 29, 2017 2:29 pm

Hello,

Can you list the acm tub serial number, that is found on the drivers side mounting gusset , along the edge of it.
It may help narrow some things down as far as dating the body.

Also, please post some pictures of the jeep itself, maybe someone might notice certain features , if any,
that could help identify country specific
modifications, whether British, French, Norwegian, etc.

Example, most British jeeps had little lights mounted on front fenders, and along the rear bumper by the tow hitch.
Norway jeeps had their own slight modifications, as well as the French.

Pictures will help more that anything !!!!!

Best Regards,

Ray

zborekp
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 61
Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 1:33 pm
Location: Poland

Re: GPW jeep history

Post by zborekp » Sat Dec 30, 2017 6:31 am

I have bad luck for serial numbers.
First digits ACM tube are 4 2 8 there are not further digits, because steering column is on another side of the frame (engine is not original) and did not fit well.

I think that pictures will not help - because lot of modifications I have done myself, for example rear toolboxes with rectangular extrudes. Jeep was in very bad condition. I have read about British modifications, but no original part from electric left.

Numbers are only track. Maybe there is possible to determine in which convoy, from 1943 jeep or rather "parts". engine, tube and GPW frame sailed to Europe.
Attachments
IMAG0349.jpg
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IMAG0355.jpg
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IMAG0354.jpg
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IMAG0353.jpg
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IMAG0352.jpg
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IMAG0351.jpg
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IMAG0350.jpg
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Last edited by zborekp on Sat Apr 27, 2019 12:08 am, edited 1 time in total.

70th Division
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Re: GPW jeep history

Post by 70th Division » Sat Dec 30, 2017 11:22 am

Hello,

You have a great looking jeep !!!!
It is a survivor , and based on some of the repairs, looks like it may have been an original Russian or eastern jeep.
Did it come from Poland or Russia ?
You may have to ask the person you got it from.

What type of engine is in it ?
That might help determine where in once resided.


Also hopefully someone who knows more about serial numbers can ad some assistance to its origin and what factory it came from as it is a GPW.

The US sent jeeps and supplies to Russia via Murmansk and many delivered in Iran and driven to Russia or by train.


Best Regards,

Ray


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