The Martin family can trace their interest in military vehicles back four generations
Chevrolet G7116 Dump Truck
Production 14,395
Engine Six-cylinder, 3.9 litre, 84bhp
Weight 8,800lbs incl winch
Length C 224in (cargo truck)
Width C 83in (cargo truck)
Transmission Four-speed with hi/low range gearbox
Speed 48mph
Boots slide uselessly in the mud as we push hard against Gracie the Ford GPW which has decided to run out of fuel at an inopportune moment in a rutted muddy field. Although aware the majority had been drained down to counter the effects of ethanol in the fuel lines during the winter lay-up we thought there would be sufficient to take it to the photoshoot. We were wrong, and it remained firmly mired. Fortunately, the cavalry arrived and with a tow it was free.
Helping to push vehicles is not my forte but it was a small price to pay for an informative morning spent with Kevin Martin and his son Oliver. The whole Martin family including wife Tina, younger son William and daughter Bryony are inveterate off-roaders, as well as military vehicle enthusiasts, so freeing a 1942 Ford GPW was second nature.
William is studying hard with less free time than Oliver, but both have benefited from Kevin’s knowledge o…
