1942 Ford GTB 'Burma Jeep'

Bidding starts 12 Dec 2025 CET
Auction ends 20 Dec 2025
Reserve applicable Bidding day & times Viewing day available
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This Ford GTB, also known as the ‘Burma Jeep,’ is a rare and unique vehicle. Its distinctive low silhouette and the unusual placement of the passenger seat are iconic features of the GTB, making it truly stand out from the crowd. Originally used by the U.S. Navy during the war, its blue-gray appearance reflects its military heritage. Whether with the top up or top down, this GTB is always a head-turner at events, especially because so few of them remain today.

Location
Nederweert, The Netherlands
Year of construction
27-10-1942
Country of origin
United States of America
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Type
1 1/2-ton (L.C.) 4x4
Condition
Very good condition/ Not driving
Margin Goods
Yes margin goods; No VAT applicable

Details

Condition

The Ford GTB is in stunning condition and has always been kept dry; and it shows! The vehicle's maintenance history is documented. However, due to an extended period of inactivity, the Ford is currently not driving and it will require a full service, with special attention to the cooling system and brakes. The engine, though, is in running condition.

This 'Burma Jeep' currently does not have road registration and is sold 'as is'.

Note: Our trusted partner, BAIV, is a recognized restoration company with extensive experience in obtaining Dutch vehicle registrations and import/export permits. They can assist with these processes as needed; certain conditions do apply. We recommend contacting Track & Trade before bidding to discuss available options and any potential costs involved.

Technical details

Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Model
1 1/2-ton (L.C.) 4x4
Manufacturing date
27-10-1942
Chassis/ serial number
139450
Model number
08247-Z
Length
16 fr 5 in (5 m)
Width
7 ft 3 in (2,21 m)
Height (top up)
8 ft 3 in (2,5 m)
Height (top down)
4 ft 6 in (1,37 m)
Weight
7.250 lb (3,3 t)
Max. speed (land)
45 mph (72 km/h)
Operational range
200 mi (320 km)
Engine
Ford G8T 6 cyl, 3,7 litr, gasoline, 90 hp
Crew
2
Production numbers
15.000
Road registration
No

History

Development and History

The development of the Ford GTB,  also known as the ‘Burma Jeep’, began in 1941, when the U.S. government recognized the need for a light truck capable of operating in the rugged conditions of jungles and mountainous areas. Ford designed the GTB with a 6-cylinder engine and a 1.5-ton payload capacity, making it particularly suitable for transporting supplies, ammunition, and troops. The truck was equipped with four-wheel drive, which provided it with excellent off-road capabilities.

The Ford GTB earned the nickname "Burma Jeep" due to its extensive use in the Burma campaign, where the Allies fought against Japanese forces in what was then Burma (now Myanmar). The dense jungles and mountainous terrain of this region made a vehicle like the GTB essential for military operations.

 

Application

The Ford GTB was multifunctional and used for a wide range of tasks. There were several variants of the GTB, including models configured as crane trucks, transport vehicles, and radio trucks. The most notable variants were the GTB Cargo Truck, GTBA for the US Navy, GTBS Wrecker and the GTBS Bomb Service Truck for the Navy (GTBC ‘improved’ Bomb Service Truck).

The GTB was deployed by the U.S. military in various campaigns, but its most well-known contribution was in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Burma campaign. The GTB's rugged construction and reliability made it highly valued by the troops.

 

Deployment

Although the Ford GTB was primarily used by the United States (Navy), it was also supplied to allies through the Lend-Lease program. This allowed the United Kingdom and other Allied nations to utilize the truck for their own military operations. The GTB was mainly deployed in the fight against Japan in Asia, but it also saw use in other parts of the world where the Allies were active.

 

Use in Wars

The Ford GTB played a significant role during World War II and was used in various campaigns, most notably in the fight against the Imperial Japanese Army in Southeast Asia. After the war, many of these vehicles were transferred to civilian organizations or foreign armies, where they continued to serve for years.

LOT NUMBER

  • Each lot is assigned a specific lot number. This number is allocated one day before the lots are opened for bidding.

VIEWING DAYS

  • Inspections during viewing days are on: Saturday December 13, 2025.

  • Participation in the viewing days is subject to specific conditions.

  • Given the fact that these are often very special items whose condition, no matter how hard we try, cannot always be described 100% completely, we really recommend that you make use of this.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Auction catalogue online: October 21st 2025 19.00 (CET)

  • Bidding starts: Saturday December 12, 2025 18.00 (CET)

  • Bidding ends: Saturday December 20, 2025 19.00 (CET)

TIMES

  • Amsterdam NL (CET): 07:00 PM (19:00)

  • London: 08:00 PM (18:00)

  • New York USA: 13:00 AM (13:00)

  • Sydney AUS: 05:00 AM (05:00),next day

BUYER’S PREMIUM

  • On all lots a buyer’s premium of 16,5% of the hammer price is charged. Over this buyer’s premium a 21% sales tax (VAT) will be applicable.

VEHICLES & VEHICLE RELATED EQUIPMENT

  • This lot is sold strictly as described in the auction listing on our website (https://tracksandtrade.com/).

  • Cars, motorcycles, trucks, cannons or howitzers, armored vehicles, and tanks are sold in as-is/where-is condition, with no technical guarantee and guarantee of authenticity and with or without registration.

ARMS & WEAPONS

  • The Auction House will not supply ANY item unless the correct paperwork and licensing – if needed – has been supplied by the Buyer in full.

  • If required and applicable (fire)arms can be made inoperable or permanently disabled by BAIV in The Netherlands as being a licensed Arms & Weapons Dealer Registration Nr. NL20191618779. In this case all relevant cost will be charged to the Buyer in addition and have to be paid in advance in full. Collection by appointment only.

    Deactivated weapons (EU regulation)
    A deactivated weapon is a genuine firearm that has been modified so it can no longer discharge any bullet, missile, or other projectile.

    Legal basis
    All deactivated weapons offered in this auction are deactivated/neutralized in accordance with EU Regulation 2015/2403, as incorporated into Dutch law on 13 May 2016.

    Delivery within the EU (European buyers)
    To ship a deactivated firearm we must verify that you are at least 18 years old.
    Please provide a copy of a valid identity document (ID card, passport or driver’s license).
    Once we have received and checked this document, we can send the deactivated weapon and its certificate at the buyer’s expense.

    Important note
    No lot will be delivered or shipped without the presentation of the documents mentioned above.
    The buyer is responsible for their purchase once the lot is awarded and will pay at least the related costs.


    Delivery outside the EU (non‑European buyers)
    If you are a non‑EU resident intending to purchase an EU deactivated weapon, it is your responsibility to confirm whether ownership is permitted under the laws of your country.
    You may need to provide a valid firearm license before we can ship your purchased deactivated weapon, as we comply with Dutch export regulations for (deactivated) weapons.
    Any additional actions required and associated costs in such a transaction will be charged to the buyer.

MARGIN/ VAT

  • However, for most of the lots 21% sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be not applicable, it might be that in some specific cases sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be charged. In such a case this will be specifically specified in the lot description. For all other lots the margin scheme will be applicable. For more info see our General Conditions of Sale Article 9 on our website; www.tracksandtrade.com

IMPORT & EXPORT

  • Depending on the destination and content of the Lot the Buyer shall obtain an International Import Certificate / End User Certificate. Some of the items listed in the auction may require special licenses or permits or existing documents must be prepared for export. If this is relevant, Tracks & Trade will take care of this. The applicable costs will be charged to the successful bidder. Please email accounting@tracksandtrade.com if you have any questions or concerns. No item will be allowed to be collected without 100% of all legal requirements being fulfilled.

COLLECTION

  • Specific address details will be provided upon request and to the successful bidder/ Buyer.

  • Delivery: Ex Works.

LOT REMOVAL DEADLINE

  • All lots must be collected no later than Friday, February 7, 2025, and only after full payment has been received and all legal requirements have been met.

  • No storage fees will be charged prior to this date. After this period, storage fees will apply.

  • For buyers from the United States or other distant destinations, tailored arrangements can be made upon request.

SHIPPING & HANDLINGS COSTS

  • All shipping, packaging, and any special handling expenses (e.g., crane hire or specialized equipment) are the sole responsibility of the Buyer and will be invoiced at actual cost plus a 10% handling fee.

LATE PICK-UP & STORAGE FEES

  • Any lot not collected by Saturday, February 7, 2025, will be placed in secure storage at the Buyer’s expense, with the following weekly storage rates applied (excluding 21% VAT):

  • Parts & accessories: €25 per lot per week

  • Cars and motorcycles: €50 per lot per week

  • Armored vehicles, tanks, cannons, etc.: €75 per lot per week

Need Assistance?
Please feel free to contact us for support or questions:
Phone: +31 6 518 22 502
Email: info@tracksandtrade.com
We are here to guide you through every step of the process and will do our utmost to assist you.

DELIVERY

  • The buyer is responsible for the transportation of the purchased goods, unless otherwise agreed. Tracks & Trade can assist with or arrange transportation at additional cost. Please contact us for more information.

  • Shipping, and packing costs and special costs that arise for loading special items, such as crane costs or costs for hiring special equipment etc., will be charged to the Buyer on the basis of actual costs + a surcharge of 10%. Naturally, you can count on us when it comes to the shipment of your purchases. We are happy to take care of that.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

  • All information and transactions are subject to the general terms and conditions (Version 2.0 dated 29-04-2022). For more detailed information visit our website.

NOTE

  • By placing a bid, whether successful or not, the bidder agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions as set forth on this website (www.tracksandtrade.com) and in the applicable general terms and conditions. It is the bidder’s responsibility to review and familiarize themselves with all such terms prior to placing a bid.

Shipping information

After buying a classic military vehicle or other items such as cannons, planes, howitzers and tanks, there are several steps you would typically need to take:

  • Legalities

    In principle, no special permit is required for unarmored wheeled and tracked vehicles. In many cases, an export procedure that is comparable to that for exporting classic cars and motorcycles is sufficient. Military collectables older than 75 years and with a value over Euro 50k are considered as National Heritage. In such cases an export permit must be requested from the National Ministry of Culture of the exporting country. Tanks, howitzers and self-propelled or towed cannons often require specific permits that are highly dependent on the country of shipment and the country of destination. This may involve registering the item with the appropriate authorities and complying with any regulations regarding its ownership and use. In such a case it is advisable to contact us in advance because we have many decades of experience in the import and export of Classic Military Heritage. Based on this experience, we can generally quickly provide feedback on what applies to you. This is especially relevant because regulations in this regard change every now and then and sometimes, we also have to deal with export-restrictions. In short: if you want to be sure, contact us in time to avoid difficulties at a later stage.

  • Storage
    Find a suitable storage location for your collectable, preferably a secure and legal place where you can keep it when not in use. This could be a garage, warehouse, or even a specially designed storage facility or museum.

  • Transportation
    After you have all the paperwork in place the next step will be the (oversees) transport to your desired location. This may involve hiring specialized transport and broker services due to permits, size and weight. In this case we can also support you with organizing the transport or make sure you get in contact with dedicated brokers and import agents.

  • Maintenance and Restoration

    Depending on the condition of your military collectable, our partner BAIV can help you with maintenance and restoration work to ensure that it is safe and operational. This could involve relatively easy maintenance and repair or service till a Class-A restoration. In such a case please contact BAIV (info@baiv.nl).

  • Training
    If you intend to operate a vehicle then make sure you have manuals that describe how to operate the vehicle. Nowadays there are numerous reprints available on the Internet that explain to you in a playful way how to drive and operate your vehicle. This is often a team effort, which makes owning such a vehicle extra attractive. If required, you can also involve/hiring a professional instructor or attend specialized training courses to learn how to drive and maintain it safely. In such a case, our partner BAIV (www.baiv.nl) can also support you

  • Insurance
    Consider obtaining insurance coverage for your vehicle to protect yourself against any potential accidents or liabilities that may arise from owning and operating it. Often there are specialized insurance companies offering these kinds of services. Local military vehicle clubs often also know their way around the specific options offered by insurance companies.

  • Enjoyment
    Finally, once everything is in place, you can enjoy owning and, if permitted, operating your classic military vehicle, cannon or howitzer. Whether it's for display purposes or for participating in historical reenactments, owning such a great unit can be a unique and rewarding experience.

Feel free to get in touch

Ivo Rigter Sr.

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