Restoration from GPA 7023

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bobassel
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Restoration from GPA 7023

Post by bobassel » Fri Sep 25, 2015 5:17 pm

Hi All,

I am writing this part because GPA owner Wibo de Vries has some problems with putting pictures on this forum.
As a good friend, I am glad to help him with this. sunny
Placing text is no problem for him, only pictures.
So reactions to Wibo lol .
Wibo bought his GPA 7023 in 2011 in the USA, as a good running and sailing vehicle.
He got the correct Dutch licence plates for it and repaired some spots.
He arranged correct parts that were missing or that were not original.
A lot of work with then already a lot of unknown bad spots cry
After several trips in the last three years, with every time problems, he made a brave choice
to strip the GPA completely and do a correct full restoration.
In my opinion, the only way to get your GPA reliable rolley
Here a picture of the GPA just arrived from the States in 2011.
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Wibo was working on on for months to get it safe on land and in the water.
A lot of unknown unpleasant supprices became visible cry
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After a lot of work, wibo decided to make the outfit like the Canadians had their GPA's, when they libarated a big part of Holland.
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As mentioned, he made the brave decision to strip the vehicle completely and do the correct totall restoration sunny
I adviced him to get some bottles with boose, when the GPA returned from the sandblasting company joker
But even before that happened the need of a good restoration became visable.
A lot of polyester repairs and bondo!!
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To be continued................. crazy
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

bobassel
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Re: Restoration from GPA 7023

Post by bobassel » Mon Oct 19, 2015 5:55 pm

Endorsements and lots of booze needed!! crazy
The pictures below is the result of sandblasting the hull of Wibo's GPA.
I expected some bad spots, but this result gives me also a reason to reach for the bottle rolley
Words of help and / or compassion can you send to Wibo:
741b@hotmail.nl
Also bottles of booze can be send to his address, he shure will need this!
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Lret's start the work crazy
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So far the pictures.
Let's hope he will make it to Amphib England rolley
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

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Cees
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Re: Restoration from GPA 7023

Post by Cees » Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:27 am

Wibo,
It looks very familiar for me a lot off body work. It is always the same spots.
I hope you finish your project.
Cees
1941 Ford GP,
1943 Ford GPA #6849,
1943 Ford GPA # 7741,
1943 Harley WLC,
Dodge WC57,
1942 BMW R75,
1942 KS750,
1944 VW 166,
1940 Hanomag 20b,

http://www.filmprops.nl/produkten/fordgpa.htm

wibo
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Re: Restoration from GPA 7023

Post by wibo » Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:03 pm

Hi Cees,

I'm going to try to complete it.

Best regaerds
Wibo

Donovan
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Re: Restoration from GPA 7023

Post by Donovan » Fri Oct 23, 2015 2:36 pm

Wibo,
Sorry to see what you are seeing in your just acquired GPA. This GPA body was either never restored or done a long time ago. The holes and rusted out portions are all typical of a GPA. My suggestion is to go through everything and fix/restore now. The body obviously but I would go through the engine, transmission, transfer case, axles, everything.
Good luck,
Donovan.
GPA 11374

coesens luc
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Re: Restoration from GPA 7023

Post by coesens luc » Fri Oct 21, 2016 6:07 pm

It is all worth it sunny

bobassel
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Re: Restoration from GPA 7023

Post by bobassel » Thu Nov 24, 2016 8:32 pm

There were some discussions of the price of a GPA .
* you can buy a good one
* you can buy a very good one
* you can buy a almost perfect one.
You have to take a very good look on the GPA you are interested in, and take a specialist with you! rolley
What is the condition of the hull. (as far as you can see this)
Is the vehicle complete?
Are the parts all original? joker
Auto-lite gauges fit and work very well, but original, and what is the price for the original dash gauges? rolley
So, what is the price depends in my point of view:
original bilge, original surfshield, all original gauges, all tools are there, snow chains, hand bilge, all Ford parts,
Original leather cushions, canvas complete, manuals, early or late model, original matching engine, etc..
I think Wibo bought a "Good one" for the price of a very good one cry

Bob
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

bobassel
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Re: Restoration from GPA 7023

Post by bobassel » Sun Jan 29, 2017 9:07 am

Here the latest developments of 7023 lol
Wibo is still working to get his GPA ready for Amphib GB. august 2017 rolley
We shall see.............
Image
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

richardfs
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Re: Restoration from GPA 7023

Post by richardfs » Fri Feb 24, 2017 2:18 am

Hi Wibo,

You are doing an excellent job of restoring your GPA.
I know its hard to take a running vehicle of the road to do such a restoration but really the only fix.

Sand blasting really shows the weak spots on a GPA, but once properly repaired you will have a very nice GPA.
Many collectors think GPA's are over priced for a well restored one. Personally I think they are realistically priced when your realise just how many hours it takes to restore one properly, then there is the cost.

Keep up the good work, it will be well worth it in the end, if I can assist just email me.

Best regards
Richard sanders

bobassel
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Re: Restoration from GPA 7023

Post by bobassel » Sun Jul 23, 2017 5:23 pm

Still people are wondering, why is a good Ford GPA so expensive? rolley
Bob
Ford GPA 12350, april 4th 1943
Author of GPA book,
Willys MD M38A1, A13817 1952

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