GPAs on Rouge River

[bobskinner]

Hi Guys,
Happy new Year to everyone. Have a look at http://books.google.com/books?id=9zajna ... o#PPA88,M1 This is a photo from Joseph Cabadas's book on the Rouge River Ford Plant where the GPAs were made. It shows 11 GPAs on the Rouge River, the caption states the date is 12th March 1943. If they are early production GPAs on test as the text claims the date must be wrong surely?
Regards
Bob

[Jan Roelse]

Hi Bob,

"River Rouge" Ford's Industrial Colossus is sure a beautiful book. Perfect quality.
I've got it today by way of my local bookshop 33,95 euro (postage included).
Normal price: 40 US-dollars. ISBN 0-7603-1708-9 (192 pages).
No time to find a cheaper shop or website. Nice unknown photo of a GP and a full page GPA photo in it during a Ford test-trial and a lot more interesting information.
Good investment for Ford GP- GPA and GPW-owners!
Kind regards,
Jan

[Jan Roelse]

Bob,
All GPA,s are "late", no black windscreen rubber under, muffler guard and rail is there, also a boathook bracket. The GPA was standardized in February, 1943 that means that all modifications (FS MWO,s) where standard for production from that moment on.
The date of the photo March 12, 1943 is in my opinion possible and could be correct.
The very first GPA test trial story with this date on page 89 is wrong.
(prod. tot. half March 43 about 10.000 GPA,s so to the end of April 2.778 to go).
By the way, the big plant photo,s in the front shows the exact place where this photo is taken.
Page 87 says about the GP: the "G"stood for "government" and the the "P"for the vehicle class, although many people thought it was an abbreviation of "general purpose"
"Class" means as far as I know: wheelbase 80 inch.
For GPA : 80 + 4 after weigh outs about its heavy weight and buoyancy.
The name "Seep" is well known for this amphibious Jeep but "Swamp Buggy" is new for me!
Kind regards,
Jan