Chris Warne

Yes, I was there while Ken and his mate were filming this at the local 'MV Storage facility'!! Although most know Ken as he frequents most of the forums, the GPW & Trailer are jointly owned by Ken and Mark Payne. Mark is the mechanical/body wizard, ex-Reme, and did the larger part of the work on the GPW (not taking anything away from Ken here!!!!). He also re-floored the original tub on my MB and did much of the restoration on the vehicle overall (chassis up rebuild in 2006). Mark also helped me with the restoration of my M3A1 Half-track, is currently working on a hardcab GMC353 (of his own) and has 3 other MB/GPW's of his own 'awaiting restoration'. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Marks work, he knows modern aswell as WW2 (jeeps, GMC and Half-tracks especially), has the facilities to cope with the bigger jobs, is one of the most helpful people I know, and he charges affordable rates per hour, or will give a fixed price for a specific job. He's located in the East Herts/West Essex/North London area, but is happy to travel. PM me if you want contact details.

If you get a rebuild kit, it should have full instructions in it. Not done a GMC Hvac, but my Half-track kit wasn't too nasty a job, but the kit had full, period, instructions in it.

I always try to save originals wherever possible, but for my jeep I used Jeepparts (in Belgium if I recall) for their repro EC marked bolts. For other non-metric bolts, for the Half-track for example, I use Namrick. Very helpful staff, good prices and fast despatch. http://www.namrick.co.uk/

Jim, give Gary Eastman (Eastman Leather Clothing) a call. He's a way down the M5 at Ivybridge, but I know he's restoring a Scout Car and it's complete body wise. I don't know how far he's progressed, but I've been trying to track down a radiator for him. Scroll to the bottom of the page for his number... http://www.eastmanleather.co.uk/ Alternatively, scan through the IMPS members vehicles list here: http://www.imps.org.uk/vehicles/ There's several listed, but it's not completely up to date as I know Stan Capes sold his a few years back, but might be worth asking.

I recently (2007) had to register my ex-Norway MB for the first time and from what I remember, I went this route.... 1. MB was almost completely restored - almost ready for MoT. 2. Wrote to IMPS/MVT to get age verification letter. I had to send rubbings and pictures of the Frame number (tag missing but number had been stamped into the frame) plus supporting information to support the Date of Delivery on the original Dataplate (ACM2 Tub number, etc, etc...) 3. Applied for First Registration (had to include the original C&E 386 from Customs to prove duty paid and IMPS/MVT letter) 4. Took MB for MoT, insured on chassis number. (Checked with local police and this is permitted if it's for pre-arranged test) 5. Once MoT passed, spent 3 weeks chasing DVLA for some progress. Eventually they requested I brought the MB for inspection at Chelmsford (if MoT'd you can drive there, if not roadworthy, then you will need to trailer it there - I was told several times that they do not come to you for inspections) 6. Passed inspection, then chased for another 2 weeks before they issued the age-related number. 7. V5 followed about 2 weeks after that. On locating the original hood numbers, I sanded one side of my hood and found some traces of White and Blue Drab, but as later coats of paint were uneven, it didn't produce anything legible. I would only recommend using Nitromors or other paint stripper to find original numbers. Apply a thin layer and as soon as the top layer of paint starts to wrinkle, wipe with a damp cloth. Use a plastic scraper to remove one layer at a time. I'll post a pic of the of the original Blue Drab hood number I uncovered on my MB - just as soon as I locate it!

As suggested when I signed up, I thought I'd introduce myself to you all. I'm Chris (obvious I guess from my Username!), am currently looking for my next MV project, having spent 16 months restoring a 1945 Willys MB which I sold almost immediately (managed 30 miles in it I recall!) to finance buying a 1943 DiamondT M3A1 Half-track, which I sold back in April to a collector in Belgium. Took the summer off as the missus decided she was going to deliver our second child (arrived 5/6/09 so scuppered my Normandy plans!!), but am now searching for, ideally, a hardcab 353, but will consider a softcab. 1943 DiamondT M3A1 & 1945 Willys MB. Both with their confirmed original Hood Numbers