1953 Willys Jeep M38A-1

Lot details
Registration No: EPP115Y
Chassis No: MD15141
Mot Expiry: Feb 2011

After the original Willys MB and Ford GPW had helped win WW2 for the allied forces, the Jeep evolved, into post-war civilian and military versions. The M38 of 1950 was updated into the 'round-fender' M38A-1 of 1952. Military versions had stronger chassis than the CJ-series civilian equivalents, and 24-volt electrics, all powered by the 'Hurricane' F-Head (inlet-over exhaust) 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine, coupled to a T-90 three-speed transmission, of course retaining high / low gear ratios and all-wheel drive that enabled the Jeep, like its predecessors, to go practically anywhere. In all 101,488 M38A-1s were made by the time the model was superseded by the Ford M151 'Mutt' in 1960. The M38A-1's CJ-5 civilian spin-off is the version that all Jeep Wranglers were descended from, still recognisable today.

This particular example is a 1953 M38A-1, a Korean war era model and various details identify it as a second-series version whose production started in October / November 1953. The vendor tells us that it has had a 'body-off' restoration over the last few years, including a complete repaint, and brake overhaul including new pipes. He now describes the bodywork as "excellent", and the paint, interior trim, engine, transmission and electrical fittings as "good". Many other new parts detailed in the paperwork include new wipers and wiper motor, new batteries and replacement wiring loom, plus new waterproof HT leads to the spark plugs, and he advises us that the engine has been recently serviced. This Jeep comes with V5C, working siren, period fire extinguisher and Jerrycan. "This excellent Willys is rare and collectable and offers superb value", says the vendor.