Sequencing the Willys MB & Ford GPW

My name is Tom Wolboldt. I have been in the Military Vehicle collecting hobby for 35 + years. I have been researching the production histories of WW2 jeeps for the last 13 years.  Along the way I have learned that many of the popular jeep books and government manuals are full of errors and mistakes. This makes it very difficult for an enthusiast to know what is exactly correct for the Willys MB or Ford GPW that you are restoring or even just maintaining.  Over the years I have gathered thousands of pages of WW2 jeep data and have sourced tens of thousands more pages owned by others that have spent  lifetimes gathering up records from the far corners of the globe.

At this time I believe I am able to sequence much of this data into spreadsheet documents , one for the Willys MB and one for the Ford GPW.  I view this as a several year full time quest based of the sheer volume of data that is needed to be reviewed, combined and cross-checked for accuracy. As sections are finished they will become available for purchase. There are about 25 models of Willys-Overland Motors MBs spread over many different contracts and about 25 versions of the Ford Motors' GPW spread over five contracts and six assembly plants to be sorted out. 

I am turning to GoFundMe as a source of funds to help pay for supplies, research trips, my time, and to return 20% to those individuals behind the scenes that have made significant contributions to the effort. These individuals have gathered data from public and private collections and from archives that were not accessed in previous studies. This includes both Willys and Ford Factory and Accounting records in addition to supplier data and government test and procurement records. I have formed an agreement with a network of collectors that have gathered this data over the last 35 years at great cost to themselves in time and dollars to make this project possible at this time. 

The final product should be able to show you how your MB or GPW  was equipped from the factory down to the style and type of washers and bolts used to build it by referencing it's serial number or DoD ( Date of Delivery ). For those looking to buy the specific data for their vehicle and have helped to fund this project there will be a reduction in the final product price equal to 25% of your contribution.

After 70 + years of mis-managed data this project is not going to be a cake walk putting the pieces back together but with every passing day a little bit more of the history of the jeeps that helped win WW2 slips away just like the Greatest Generation that originally drove them.   Please help build this resource for yourselves and the generations to come that thrive to understand these little 4wd buggies. Thank You All in Advance  !