Ford GP (series 1) slow build

[Mike K]

The paint on the GP chassis . Can you tell us its origin ? Looks to be a matt finish . Enamel ?

is it the Gillespie stuff ? Have you painted the body with the same paint ?

[Mike Cecil]

The undercoat was Rustoleum for rusty metal. Despite being sandblasted, there is always a delay in getting the undercoat on and oxidation starts, hence the choice of the 'for rusty metal' finish. It is a very durable coating.

The top coat is the early war US green from RAPCO, who I believe source their paint from Gillespie. Comes in either 1 gallon cans or very handy spray cans for doing smaller parts. The finish is more like a satin than a true matt finish, which makes maintenance that much easier.

The white and gold used for the instrument panel were also Rustoleum, and the red was a modeler's enamel paint by Testors.

All are enamel coatings.

Mike

[Mike K]

Ah OK . There are many types of undercoatings available these days , the POR stuff is good but expensive . I have heard of Rustoleum, I think it's available here. The sandblaster here uses red oxide .

The neighbour down the road put me onto something in the local hardware " FERRONITE" . It was developed for the marine industry and it is made in QLD . The active ingredient is tannic acid , from vegetable matter. The theory is: the acid draws out the oxides in the rust and the rusty steel surface ends up a blackish colour. It is not cheap to buy at 38 bucks a litre. The base is a polimer I think , or something similar.

The GP is looking very nice . Who is building the new tubs ?

[Mike Cecil]

Tub is by Joe's Motor Pool, UK. It's a first-class job.

You can see the example here (Rory is Joe's North American GP parts re-seller)

http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php...5ea73b15e11500

Mike

[Jim Gilmore]

Mike,

Great photos....looks very nice!

You listed the Vehicle number as GP-8920 and the Date of Delivery as March, 1941....

Does your main data plate have a day as well?

Ford motor Co. records show the original motor GP-8920 as being assembled on March 17, 1941. I would guess the DoD to be March 20 or 21.......am I close?

Did you sand the hood and rear panel down to see if there was still a USA number? If so, can you share it with us?

Jim Gilmore

Jim Thorpe, PA. USA

[Mike Cecil]

Hi Jim,

Venturing over to the light (CMP) side from G503!!

In short, the original data plate was long gone, and no number presented itself on the hood or original body so the 'March 41' date was as close as I could come from the available on-line data. I'll have to wrestle with deciding what hood number it should have: any suggestions?

Been a while since I updated, been busy completing a bunch of book text and articles. So here goes:

Had a major setback with the engine , which meant removal, a complete tear-down and line-bore of the main bearing caps, then re-assembly. Test run on an engine test stand, then re-assembly to the transmission, etc. Tested all the gear train during static running, clutch adjustment and so on, before mounting the body tub. Also discovered my expensive reproduction GP fan belts were just standard Mitsubishi belts with the maker's details covered in black ink with a red GP part number stenciled on - which all rubbed off in no time. Oh well, live and learn: it still fits.

Connecting and adjusting the steering is next, then connecting the accelerator and choke links. I'll also complete the wiring and dash installation before mounting the seats, fuel tank, and so on - much easier to access under the dash with an un-cluttered body. Purchased a roll of thin insertion rubber to make floor mats for both vehicles - it helps preserve the paintwork from usage scuffs and scrapes.

Current status can be seen in the images, along with its 'stable mate', the now-registered '44 Willys MB 'recreation drive'. Having timber walls in the workshop means I can 'store' panels and parts up high, safely out of the way, until it is time to install them - you can see the transmission cover and engine bay side panels wrapped in plastic high up on the wall to the right of the overhead gantry.


Mike

[Jim Gilmore]

Too bad the data plate was missing.....

As for a DoD.....

Ford motor Co. records show the original motor GP-8920 as being assembled on March 17, 1941. I would guess the DoD to be March 20 or 21, 1941.

Motors were usually produced 3 working days before being used in the assembly line.

For a USA number ...It would be somewhere between W-2017810 ( DoD 3/18) to W-2017893 ( DoD 3/21)

Hope this helps....

Jim Gilmore

Jim Thorpe, PA.