ID for M 38A1

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
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Jeff Glasser
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ID for M 38A1

Post by Jeff Glasser » Sun Feb 18, 2018 1:42 am

Hi all,
firstly , I hope I'm posting this in the right place, please help if I haven't.

I've been given a chassis number to throw at you chaps to try and confirm that the vehicle is what it is supposed to be. (M38 A1) Can anyone help as I know nothing about M38's or CJ jeeps?

The number is: MD 9023.

Thanks for any help with this.

Jeff'.
There I was, upside down with nothing on the clock but the makers name!


Joe Gopan
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Re: ID for M 38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Feb 18, 2018 5:14 am

""MD" is the Willys model designation for the M-38A1.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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Jeff Glasser
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Re: ID for M 38A1

Post by Jeff Glasser » Sun Feb 18, 2018 5:50 am

Thanks mate,
can any information be got from the number? year etc?

Jeff'.
There I was, upside down with nothing on the clock but the makers name!

Joe Gopan
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Re: ID for M 38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Feb 18, 2018 6:12 am

1952
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Todd70
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Re: ID for M 38A1

Post by Todd70 » Mon Oct 22, 2018 9:15 pm

Ben,

I just purchased a 1962 M38A1. The only ID I have on it is from the title is a VIN of MD 16672.
Any info or possible history you could share? All the ID plates have been removed.

Thanks

Todd

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Joe Gopan
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Re: ID for M 38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue Oct 23, 2018 5:24 am

That low number would ID it's year as 1952. If it were from the 60's it would be over 90,000.
Can you post some pics of the front floor area, front frame horns, battery box cover, and the lower grill?
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

KiwiMB
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Re: ID for M 38A1

Post by KiwiMB » Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:15 pm

Hi Todd,
there is also a "Patent" plate on the wheel well behind the passengers seat, this might help Ben with coming up with a more accurate delivery date.

Cheers

Ian
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New Zealand
1941 Willys MB
1953 M38A1 Nekaf
1998 Land Rover Wolf 90

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Re: ID for M 38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Oct 25, 2018 5:04 am

Are the front compartment drains out at the edge of the floorboard, or are they at an angle along the edge of the center floor pan. Also, is the grill hinged and does it have grooved (Liggett) or smooth (Mather)spring leaves??
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

skyjeep50
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Re: ID for M 38A1

Post by skyjeep50 » Sat Oct 27, 2018 6:14 am

Just as a note - M38A1 frames are easy to tell from CJ's - look for the machine gun mounting plate welded to the middle cross bar on the military frame. As far as I know, machine gun mounts were not a factory option on civilian Jeeps.


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