A fully restored World War II Ford GPA “Seep” amphibious 4x4 has hit the market, offering land-and-water capability and historic rarity.
The chance to buy a World War II amphibious military vehicle doesn’t come often, and the Ford GPA “Seep” is one of the rarest to emerge. Built for only a short period between 1942 and 1943, the Seep was Ford’s answer to a light-duty 4x4 that could roll off a landing craft, cruise through the surf, and keep moving inland without switching vehicles. While more than 12,000 were produced during the war, only a small number survived, making any restored example a significant artifact of military innovation.
Nicknamed the “Seep” as a blend of “Sea” and “Jeep,” the Ford GPA was developed from the same basic architecture as the wartime Jeep but engineered to float. Ford designers worked closely with naval architect Roderick Stephens Jr. to shape a steel hull capable of staying buoyant while still housing the proven Willys-derived 134-cubic-inch four-cylinder engine. On land, the Seep could reach roughly 40 mph, while in calm water the propeller-driven setup offered speeds near 6 mph.
The vehicle was never intended to replace larger amphibious transports, and its compact footprint meant design trade-offs. It sat lower in the water than ideal, making it suitable for rivers, harbors, and inland crossings but risky in rough surf. Still, the Seep saw duty across multiple fronts, from Europe to the Pacific, and many were supplied to allied forces, including extensive use by the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease.
The example now being offered for sale has undergone a comprehensive, high-level restoration, bringing it back to full operational condition. It retains its military character, including the steel hull, amphibious running gear, and period-correct equipment. For collectors of WWII machinery, this is more than a showpiece—it’s a functional link to the engineering challenges and battlefield ingenuity of the 1940s.
Authentic GPAs almost never come to market in running, restored form. For anyone who values wartime engineering, historic vehicles, or simply the novelty of driving straight from a trail into the water, this Seep represents a rare opportunity to own a machine designed for two worlds.
