Swimming GPA Page - Amphibious Fun with 1942-1943 Amphibian Ford Jeeps -

View of a swimming World War Two Ford GPA Amphibious Jeep

The Ford GPA
~ The Jeep based WWII Amphibious Military Vehicle ~

Someone in WW2 came up with a great idea. Jeeps can do just about everything on land, why not see what they can do on water. The contract to manufacture the amphibious Jeep was given to Ford due to the large production capacity of Ford's factories. Designers at Ford went to work and came up with the Amphibious Jeep called a GPA, which stands for: G = Government, P= 80 inch wheelbase, A = Amphibious.

Ford was the only builder of the GPA
1942 and 1943 were the only years that GPA's were built
Approximately 12,778 GPA's were built.

The GPA was based on the Willys MB and Ford GPW Jeep design. When designing and building the GPA, Ford utilized many of the exact same parts that the Ford GPW Jeep did. The GPA had an interior similar to that of the MB/GPW jeeps, surrounded by a watertight hull. In water, additional propulsion came from a power take-off driven propeller in addition to the 4wheel drive. The GPA driver's compartment has almost twice as many more control levers as the MB/GPW jeep has:

3-Speed transmission (same as jeep)
2WD / 4WD engaged in or out (same as jeep)
Hi-Range / Low-Range transfercase (same as jeep)
dash mounted parking brake lever (same as jeep)
rear Rudder
rear Propeller PTO engaged in or out
front deck Capstan Winch engaged in or out

Here is an original World War Two picture of a Amphibious Ford GPA 'Seep' on dry land. To help get itself out of trouble the GPA carried a front top deck mounted Capstan Winch (for rope, rather than wire winch cable) as can be seen in this photograph of two Ford GPA's where the Capstan Winch is actually in use. The amphibious GPA was often teamed up with the amphibious 1/4 ton Jeep trailer, the Willys MBT and Bantam T-3, to increase it's cargo ferrying capability. Here is a photograph of the Willys MBT Trailer (and a Ford GPA) when it's floating ability was being tested.
Additional WWII GPA photos:

In the end it was obvious that the GPA sounded great on paper, but in actuality, the GPA had some serious drawbacks.

The GPA sat very low in the water, so with little freeboard, it foundered and sank easily
The GPA was too lightweight for it's tires to be able to cut through the mud on the shore to get a good bite in many instances
The GPA didn't carry very much cargo, so it didn't justify the investment of all the material that went into building it for so little a return

Some GPA's went on to post-war adventures or around the world travelers such as the GPA "Half-Safe". A restored Ford GPA is really kind of pretty to look at, as can be seen in this photograph. Today, seaworthy restored GPA's are very desirable, particularly in Australia, the Netherlands, U.K., and the U.S.A.

More information on the WW2 Ford GPA's can be learned by following this link to a wonderful Ford GPA website. And this GPA Link. And this GPA website link too.

I currently have 14 GPA's for sale.¹ Prices range from $800 to $3,000 ². <see foot notes for details>

Want to see some GPA's in action?
WWII Movie of several Ford GPA amphibious jeeps speeding down the road & splashing into the water
(Netscape users: to play movie, click on the GPA PIC once it has loaded in the new window)

Want to see some Great Photos of the Details of the Ford GPA SEEP?

Netscape Users Click Here

Want to Learn How To Drive & Swim a GPA?

Netscape Users Click Here

Want to see the Russian Built Copy of the GPA?
The Russians Built a copy of the Ford GPA called the GAZ-46

Want to see the German 'Jeep-like' & 'GPA-like' vehicles?
The WWII German Kuebelwagen and Schwimmwagen

A Ford GPA next to a GMC DUKW
The GMC DUKW ~ The GPA's Big Brother

At the same time the GPA was being developed the Army was working with designers at GMC to produce the same type of vehicle on a much larger frame. They took a 2 1/2 ton 'Deuce and a half' GMC 6x6 cargo truck and put a hull around it. It looked like a GPA on steroids. This larger, heavier, vehicle had a lot more freeboard and was therefore less likely to swap and sink. It could hold a large volume of materials and it's weight and 6 wheel drive made exiting waterways onto dry land a much easier thing to do. This larger amphibious vehicle was called a DUKW by the Army, and a DUCK by the GI's. It was also used by the US Navy, and Marines. It served in all the theaters of war around the world and was a huge success. It played a significant role in winning many battles and invasions, as it was able to ferry large quantities of men, materials, and medical supplies from the large cargo vessels anchored far off shore to the Beachhead, or go further inland from the beach. In fact, it could just keep right on going down the road deep into the country. Ducks arestill in service today as tour boats and rescue vehicles.

¹I was JUST KIDDING! I don't have a single one for sale or otherwise. Although I would love to have one.
Should you already have one GPA and feel like donating your spare GPA, I'll give it a good home. ;-)
² Just kidding again Anyone pop a blood vessel? (vessel ~ get it...?? vessel, GPA, things that float?)
ok, it's way past my bed time and I am getting silly. Back to Top of page

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