Durham Tees Valley Area M.V.T.

Mike's M38A1 (Return to Contents page) (Return to Members Vehicles)

 

 


Extensive Rear 1/4 damage


M38A1.

This vehicle was a barn find late 2007 (yes it does really happen) and had sustained extensive damage to right rear side, also many of the original parts were missing.  

The major components for this resoration were obtained from Simon Bromley who is also a well known M38A1 enthusiast.

Mike managed to completed the repairs early in 2008 and it is now a regular attender at club events.


 

Willys-Overland M38A1 1/4 Ton Jeep

  

 

 
     

Looks good from this angle!


The extensive damage clearly seen from this angle!

 

Some history of the Willys-Overland M38A1 1/4 Ton Jeep

Years Produced: 1952-1957
No of Units: 101,488 (80,290 domestic use / 21,198 foreign sales) 
This was the first appearance of the 'round-fender' Jeep that would eventually become the CJ5.  The M38A1 was quite different to the CJ5, having a stronger chassis and reversed front spring shackles, in addition the military fitments such as standardized instruments and a 24 volt electrical system designed for better starting and to cope better with additional radio equipment installations.  The M38A1 lasted quite awhile in military service, even after it was replaced by the high-tech Ford M151, they could be seen in OD green as late as the 1970s.

The 1952-53 models are considered the "early" version of the M38A1. Distinguishing features here include the hinged front grille for easier engine and transmission removal, 8 thumb screws securing the cover of the cowl-mounted battery box, and a short front bumper. Other standard items on all the A1's include a heavy-duty frame, reverse front spring shackles, and 24-volt electrical system. Many of the 50,000 A1's built in those first two years, went straight to the war in Korea, where large numbers of Willys MB's built during World War II and reconditioned in Japan, were still in service.

M38A's built in 1954 and later can be identified by a simpler single strap holding the battery box cover also the A1's distinctive external electrical connection on the cowl. A shovel, mounted outside the body on earlier military Jeeps, is now found under the bonnet (hood) of the A1. Contracts with the U.S. Army ended in 1957, but the Marine Corps didn't place its last order until 1964, and production for export continued well after that.

Canada has a strong connection with the M38A1. Many of the U.S. Army's original 1952-53 A1's were actually built by Ford in Canada, and some, designated M38A1 CDN, were delivered to the Canadian military. By 1967 the Canadian Forces were still happy enough with their A1's to order 800 more (referred to as M38A1 CDN2)

 

  

 

 


A very shiny and well presented example.


Willys-Overland M38A1 1/4 Ton Jeep

Now a regular attender at club events this vehicle only requires a period trailer to complete the set, come on Mike job's not done yet!!


 

Willys-Overland M38A1 1/4 Ton Jeepr