willysmjeeps.com

Hello Gentlemen,
I am inquiring for information on the 1941 Jeep Willy prototype, and how to identify if it is infact a prototype.

My father was a well known WWII Militaria collector who has Alzheimer's and we are getting ready to sell his jeep.

My father has had the jeep for approx 30yrs and fully restored it.
We have always been told it is a 1941 Jeep Willy Prototype, but now that we are going to sell it, potential buyers want me to prove that it was a prototype.
I have crawled under the thing and looked for serial numbers and haven't foud anything but I don't really know where to look.

The info I do have from the California Registration is that the VIN is 8964

I will add a post with pictures shortly.

My main question for you is how do I confirm this is a prototype and is there somewhere I should be looking to find a serial number

Thank you in advance
-Michelle

sorry, I lack the necessary credentials to contribute in regards to this vehicle in question.... but, !!!

you might consider posting inquiries on the "G"
http://g503.com/forums/viewforum.php?f= ... da364ef5c2

This is not a Willys prototype it is a Ford 1st series GP prototype. Best to go to the G503 web site and in the forums there is a forum for both GP and MA(Willys) prototypes.

Oops. I am sorry. As you can see I am a bit novice to the whole jeep thing. General Militaria I have knowledge on... The vehicles not so much .

Thank you for guiding me in the right direction

Thanks for the pictures anyway! It's in beautiful condition and you will do very well selling it. John

There are several good informative links:

http://olive-drab.com/od_mvg_www_jeeps_ford_gp.php

http://olive-drab.com/od_mvg_www_jeeps_mbgpw.php

The Ford Pygmy was the original Ford prototype or pilot model jeep in 1940.

In Feb 1941 Ford got a contract request for 1500 production units and these were called Ford GP. Your is one of these 1500 early production Ford GP's. Between Feb 41 and Nov 41 Ford built 4500 GP's.

Here's the G503 serial listing of those registered with it's web site

I guess that is part of my question... Where do I find the serial number?

This jeep has all the bells and whistles. My father has the trailer for it, a extra untouched engine for parts, boxes and boxes of parts, the rack type thing to attach a machine gun to, all the communications stuff (I believe those are radios sitting on the passenger seat), the canvas top, and SSOOO much more.

He spent a ton of time on this jeep. He had a restored WWII ambulance in te MCRD museum in San Diego and was the president of a WWII car club in France.

I have been given a huge range of what the value of this jeep is, and if any of you have a accurate value estimate please let me know.

Again, my biggest question is how I find the serial number.

You already found it on that upper dash plate in your photo. The lower is the engine's OH plate. The GP's I believe had a serial stamped on the left front (driver's side) frame rail top. Check your left front frame rail from the firewall to the bumper.

Value is where you should get quality help locally. I assume you are located in Southern Cal? Let me know for sure and I'll get you a local name and email to help with an honest appraisal.

For any responsible individual to offer you any accurate appraisal they will need to examine the jeep and the parts very closely. The photos you provided barely scratch the surface of the photographic detail needed to properly appraise your jeep & parts on the internet.

Yes I am located in San Diego.

I have a potential buyer in France who knows my father and the car well.
But the range I have been given as far as it's value is between $40-60k which is obviously a big range.

Thank you for helping. I am still awaiting approval to be able to post on the other website.

So just to make sure I am understanding correctly, the serial number is 1630?

I believe your serial number is 8964