We Salute this Award-winning Jeep GPW that Is Part of WWII History

Stunning original military auction Jeep is equipped with everything but the kitchen sink. 

The ties between Jeep and the military are obviously well-known. In fact, Jeep’s very existence can be attributed to our nation’s need for a versatile, go anywhere, do anything vehicle. Thus, we celebrate the surviving military Jeeps as much today as we did when they were leading the charge to victory on the battlefield. But few of them can hold a candle to this incredible 1945 Ford Jeep GPW that’s headed across the block at Mecum’s Las Vegas auction, Nov. 15-17.

The Ford-built Jeep GPW you see before you is, unlike many replicas out there, the real deal. It comes with a veritable boatload of documentation to back up that claim, too. And in the years since it’s been fixed up, this historic ride has also racked up a ton of awards. Not to mention spent some time on various TV segments, apparently.

And if you’re into military Jeeps (who isn’t?), you won’t find one equipped with more gear than this one. Heck, it even has a replica .45 caliber, propane-operated machine gun. Everything else you’d expect to see is there too, including the requisite 2-way radio, shovel, axe, (replica) rifles, and compass. Pretty much everything you’d want a military Jeep to have. There’s even a matching trailer to tow around.

With completely rebuilt running gear, this war relic is ready to star in your local parades and car meets, too. The whole thing is even covered in a period-correct WW2 Pacific theater paint scheme. And the details here are simply amazing. For example, the previous owner upgraded to a 12-volt electrical system, yet disguised it to look like the original 6-volt.

You’d be hard pressed to find a cooler, more original, more equipped military Jeep than this. And we bet that its award-winning days are far from over.

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.