How many Ford GPW were made?
Approximately 64,000 Ford GPW Jeeps were produced during World War II.
The Ford GPW was Ford's wartime variant of the Jeep, produced to support Allied operations from 1941 to 1945. Exact production counts vary by source, reflecting how records were kept during a massive mobilization and whether early prototypes or late-war orders are included. This article reviews credible figures and explains why the numbers differ.
Background and designation
The GPW designation marks Ford's World War II version of the Jeep. GPW variants were produced under U.S. Army contract and shared the general Jeep design with the Willys MB, differing mainly in manufacturing and some components. The “GPW” label is commonly described as a government-produced version of the General Purpose vehicle that resulted from wartime contracts.
Estimated production figures
Several credible sources document GPW production, but numbers differ slightly depending on counting conventions and source material.
- Ford Motor Company archives and official histories commonly cite about 64,000 GPWs built during 1941–1945.
- U.S. Army production records and wartime ordnance histories sometimes report figures in the mid-to-high 60,000s when counting certain early test prototypes or late-war factory orders.
- Encyclopedias and vehicle histories often present a range of about 62,000–66,000 GPWs, reflecting differing definitions of what counts as a GPW (e.g., including certain variant labels).
Across reputable sources, the most widely accepted figure hovers around the mid-60,000s, with approximately 64,000 units being the common reference point.
Why the numbers vary
Discrepancies arise from wartime record-keeping, the inclusion or exclusion of preproduction units, and how the model name is applied to related vehicles built under contract or early orders. Historians also debate whether certain early Ford units built before formal GPW designation should be counted as GPWs.
Summary
The Ford GPW played a key role in the Allied vehicle fleet, with production figures typically reported around 64,000 units. While exact tallies vary by source, this figure remains the standard reference among historians and Ford archives.
