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Seeps: These Sea Jeeps Get Ready to Serve

• CATEGORIES: Features, GPA (SEEP), Library Collections, War Images, Women & Jeeps • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Paul (of stainless M-38 friend) told me a couple days ago that he has a friend (whom he calls Crazy Ralphie) who has been restoring a GPA.  He’s promised to provide us with some pics once the Alaska winter subsides a bit.  In the meantime, here are some SEEP images I found at the Library of Congress.  I have seen a few of these in books, but none as crisp as below.

Ice is no barrier to this prototype Ford-built amphibian car. According to Mark Askew in his book Rare WW2 Photo Archive 1940 – 1945 which shows this image and other prototypes of the SEEP, this photo was taken in February 1941 near the Ford Plant in Dearborn, Mi.   Library of Congress

After breaking through the shore ice, the Ford-built amphibian car makes its way through ice floes and water at a good speed.  Library of Congress

The Ford-built amphibian car can handle itself on rough ground. This picture shows a test driver putting one of them through its paces.  Mark also features this image in his bookLibrary of Congress

Here’s a photo of tests on the Rogue River near the Ford Plant.  Library of Congress

Here’s another shot from the Rogue River. Library of Congress

Below is a production SEEP.   Note the ribs on the side. I believe this photo is from maneuvers held in the Detroit area, when soldiers from Fort Wayne in full combat dress manned the machines Library of Congress

The picture below shows maneuvers held in the Detroit area, when soldiers from Fort Wayne in full combat dress manned the machines. Library of Congress

The two photos below were taken by Arthur Siegel.  During WWII he worked for the Office of War Information (OWI).  These two were taken in April of 1943.  Library of Congress

Library of Congress

 

4 Comments on “Seeps: These Sea Jeeps Get Ready to Serve

  1. deilers

    Honestly, I didn’t know there was a difference in the engine (never really looked that close). What are the major differences?

  2. Joshua Roach

    Dave, They are the same engine as the GPW. Differences are only on the outside. They are stamped GPA on the serial number boss, have six blade fans, no oil pan skid plate, 12v system, oil filter is on the firewall not the engine, and a number of other small things such as the generator bracket and double pulley is different.

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