Sold for £19,125
(including buyers premium)
Registration No: NXS 976
Chassis No: GPW118325
MOT: Exempt
Arguably more iconic than a Sherman Tank or P-51 Mustang, the Jeep is for many the definitive WW2 vehicle. Equipped with a torquey L-headed 2.2-litre engine driving all four wheels via a three-speed manual box and two-speed transfer case, the tough, go-anywhere four-seater did its job exceptionally well. By the end of the war, 647,870 Jeeps had been produced - 281,448 of which were manufactured by Ford.
Previously owned by H&H Chairman & Founder Simon Hope, NXS 976 was initially chosen as it is more original than many we have offered for sale but also better to drive. While this might sound like a contradiction in terms it is explained by the fact that the Ford was reconditioned by the Allison Steel Manufacturing Company of Phoenix, Arizona in July 1945. The original 1943 GPW body tub was retained but the drivetrain was updated with a developmental prototype ‘fibre drive’ engine and more advanced T.90 gearbox. The front suspension was uprated too to eradicate the infamous ‘Jeep Droop’ on the driver’s side. The original untouched data plates verify the modifications and show that Ford / Willys kept trying to enhance the Jeep right up until the final few months of WW2.
‘NXS 976’ has been inspected by John Farley, the well-known author of ‘The Standardised War-Time Jeeps’, who commented as follows: ‘It is very hard to find an untouched rebuild – allowing us to study the modifications and changes made in period . . . Still, with its very original 1943 GPW tub, combat wheels, original seats, Sheller steering wheel, screen, hood, and wings, this Ford has two freewheeling hubs fitted to the front axle to ease fuel consumption. Offered with its original rear tyre carrier, 1943 Jerry Can, original hood bows, genuine rear seat, grill bumpers and handles, shovel and axe, original seat covers, combat rim and bar grip tyres’. Rewired by a previous custodian, the Ford has recently been serviced and fettled using parts sourced from Dallas Autos of Thatcham.
For more information, please contact:
Andreas Hicks
andreas.hicks@handh.co.uk
07943584762
Auction: Imperial War Museum, Duxford, 22nd Jun, 2022
VIEWING TIMES
Tuesday 21st June 2022 from 12pm to 6pm
Wednesday 22nd June 2022 from 9am
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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