Wheels: Ben Carlin Half-Safe

During World War II, the need for a small amphibious vehicle was identified. Ford stepped up, utilizing their licensing agreement from Willys for the GP or “Jeep” — which was a general term used by G.I.s. Ford’s military codes break down as: G = Government and P=80” wheelbase. Add to the GP an A for Amphibian and you get the Ford GPA, an amphibious Jeep nicknamed the “Sea Jeep” or “Seep.” Essentially, a WWII military Jeep wrapped in a steel hull with a transfer case powered PTO driving a propeller and bilge pump. As you might imagine they were heavy and slow vehicles that were equally cumbersome on land and water and known to sink with alarming regularity.

It was with one of these this poorly compromised vehicles that an epic journey with an uncertain, improbable outcome was attempted. In all there were 12,778 Ford GPAs built in 1942-1943, powered by the standard flat head 134 cubic inch 4 cylinder engine, capable of 45 mph on land and 5 ½ mph on the water. Following the war, discharged Australian soldier Frederick Benjamin “Ben” Carlin had the idea of circumnavigating the globe in just such a beast. Ben was by all accounts a heavy drinking, chain smoking, restless soul who paid little attention to naysayers.