A Non-Mechanic’s GPW Restoration

It all started with a post on Facebook back on September 8, 2019. An 82nd Airborne reenactor friend posted he was thinking about selling his 1944 GPW Jeep. I’d been wanting a Jeep for more than 15 years, and while I always told myself I would eventually get one (especially after seeing many friends own one), it came down to timing, funds, and space stopping that dream. This time, however, I felt like the universe was nudging me. So, I replied that I was interested. Just a little over a month later, that Jeep would be in my garage.

WHICH DIRECTION TO GO?

At the time, I was not — in the least — a mechanic. I couldn’t tell you the difference between a carburetor and manifold.

I spend my days as an aviation photographer, graphic designer, and web developer — surely not someone you’d think would dive headfirst into a vehicle restoration.

When I first got a chance