It's been a long road for the Jeep, with it's journey originally starting in PNG. In 2015 the RAQ was offered free of charge the Ford GPW 1942 Jeep donated by Kevin Cheatham, son of a former RAQ Member Sgt Kevin Cheatham. We accepted the Jeep and had it housed and worked on by the Craftsman of 106 FLD WKSP at Enoggera. There they performed major repairs to the gearbox and had the vehicle up and running.
Pictured Above: Kevin Cheatham and Son
Looking for a permanent home, we were very thankful to Frank Carroll who owns Carroll's Transport Depot who kindly agreed to house the vehicle for display for all to see.
Prior to transporting the Jeep to the Sunshine Coast, as number of repairs were required. RAQ Members Ty Bodle and Peter Matthews set about repairing and replacing a number of components, including, sump gasket repair, new six-volt battery, starter motor and battery hold down bracket. A replacement hand brake cable, carby overhaul and full tune up ensured the engine fired up!
With works completed, it was towed to the Sunshine Coast thanks to RAQ Battery Sponsor RACQ, landing up there on Thursday 18 November 2021. It now sits proudly amongst a range of other classic military vehicles, including a Ferret Scout Car
.
This has been a team effort over a number of years. A huge thank you goes out to a number of people and organisations:
- Cheatham Family
- 106 Field Workshops
- RACQ
- RAQ Members Ty Bodle & Peter Matthews
- All our members who have donated towards the restoration
- Frank Carroll - Carroll's Transport Depot Coolum
The Jeep is on permanent display for visitors to the Coast, but also for local residents and those who have an interest in old military vehicles, Rolls Royce cars and other equipment, a special viewing of some excellent and well-preserved vehicles has been arranged at Carroll’s Transport Depot at nearby Coolum.
See https://carrollstransportdepot.com.au/and linked sites for more information.
See also www.henryroycefoundation.com/coolumshowroom.
The owner, Mr Frank Carroll opens the display on the first Saturday of each month with a "Coffee and Cars" display from 7am-10am. Details can be found at this link:
https://www.facebook.com/carsandcoffeesunshinecoast/
Carroll’s Transport Depot Museum can be found at:
- Unit 2, 52 Lysaght Street
- Coolum Beach
- QLD 4573
