The World War II Ford GPA (General Purpose Amphibian) is a seaworthy U.S. military vehicle built off the iconic Ford GPW Jeep chassis. Often referred to as a “Seep” (combination of the words Sea and Jeep), the GPA used the same drivetrain and many other components as found on the GPW with the addition of a boat style body, bilge pump, propeller and rudder for operating in water. It was regularly used for river crossings on advanced scouting missions. The bulk of GPA production was sent to the western theater, but some were used in the Pacific. The Russians famously used Lend-Leased GPAs in the crossing of the Dnieper in March 1944. In 1950, Australian engineer Ben Carlin and his wife successfully traveled across the Atlantic Ocean and the Sahara Desert to Europe in a surplus GPA. Around 12,778 GPAs were built between 1942 and 1943 with only a few known, like this example, to have survived. In fact, the GPA is one of today's rarest WWII vehicles to find. This GPA has a November 15, 1943, delivery date (marked on dash plate) and is outfitted with a spare tire, seat cushions/life preservers, a front mounted wrench with 100 feet of rope, a canvas cover, a canvas water bucket, full set of rare tools and an array of numerous spare parts such as rare boots, muffler, rare boxed original WWII spare part kit with boot, water pump, brake hoses, oil psi gauge, right side wiper blade, and more. Includes the original data plates with corresponding reproduction plates mounted on a display board and title with correct Ford VIN number. Comes with a maintenance manual, parts list, operators instruction manual, photos and paperwork documenting the frame off restoration, 1:32 scale GPA die cast by Forces of Valor and consignor research which includes the books “Half Safe” and “The Other Half of Half Safe” by Ben Carlin and “20,000 Miles South” by Helen and Frank Schreider. Until now, this GPA has remained in the same family since 1955, and it won 1st Place, Factory Class at the Military Vehicle Preservation Association’s 16th Annual International Convention held in Chicago, Illinois, in July 1991. This GPA has been pictured in the following included publications: Thomas Berndt’s “Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles, 1940-1965” on page 217, cover story in the February 2002 issue of Military Vehicles Magazine and Military Vehicles Magazine’s 2003 calendar for the month of June.

Fine overall as correctly restored. It runs and drives very well. The Ford marked tires are also fine. Nice overall appearance. Do not miss your opportunity to acquire one of the rarest WWII vehicles. The GPA "Seep" is a must have for any serious U.S. military collector.