Big jeep mistake

[Mark Jesic]

Guys, what is your biggest mistake regarding a jeep ? 25 odd years ago i decided to fulfill a lifelong dream and get a jeep. I saw a willys advertized locally and went to see it. The screen was folded down and the roof was rolled down, on a nice hot day. Having a quick look at the engine, i heard it running and purchased it immediately. On getting it home i was pleased as punch and felt good as i drove it around my neighbourhood. A few weeks later i attended my first military show. On arrival, i saw one jeep identical to mine, and several others looking different. The owner of the jeep that was the same as mine came over to me and said "nice Korean jeep" Uh !!! i was gobsmacked. Going in feet first i realised i should have done my research into WW2 jeeps. I thought they all were the same. Anyway i had the M38A1 for a year before part exchanging it for a Willys MB. I did enjoy the M38 though, it was the jeep i cut my teeth on. Even today my son thinks the M38A1 was the best jeep i owned. I think otherwise.

[Mark 1]

My biggest mistake was not buying one sooner

[twinflyer17]

LOL I'd have to agree with you on doing more research before jumping the gun and buying a jeep. I ended up with a decent GPW, but there were quite a few things I would have preferred to get with the initial purchase that I thought were included and/or acceptable to have on a restored WWII jeep (i.e. CJ engine, T-90). Needless to say, I've got an original GPW engine on the stand being rebuilt as we speak and also was able to pick up an original GPW transfer case and Willys T-84. For me it was a bit smaller than buying a jeep from a totally different war, but I still can understand a little bit!

[Joe Gopan]

My big mistake is that I passed up on a few MB's thru DRMO in the 60's-70's.

[sjalbert]

Selling the early '46 CJ2A I'd bought in 1983 because I only had space to store one vehicle when I deployed.

[Mark Jesic]

Thanks Sean, i feel less embarrased now.

[Mark Jesic]

Just to get me off the hook a little bit more, a lot of guys over here in England have bought what they have thought were WW2 jeeps only to find out they are Hotchkiss jeeps. If you dont know your jeeps this can be an easy mistake, and in fairness when they have been "Americanised" they look almost identical.

[twinflyer17]

Just to get me off the hook a little bit more, a lot of guys over here in England have bought what they have thought were WW2 jeeps only to find out they are Hotchkiss jeeps. If you dont know your jeeps this can be an easy mistake, and in fairness when they have been "Americanised" they look almost identical.

That sounds like a true nightmare to me. I've seen guys post on here asking questions about their "WWII jeep" only to have the pros call out the entire vehicle as Hotchkiss. It's bad enough you guys pay way more for these things anyway, let alone if you get something you didn't realize...

[Mark Jesic]

Too right Sean, if in doubt take someone with you, and ASK, ASK ASK. The stupidest question is one that is never asked. Thankfully now with 20 odd years experience, i can spot a Hotchkiss a mile off, on saying that there are much better guys on this site than me, and i appreciate their expert advice and help in the past and future.

[Chuck Lutz]

I once sold a December 9, 1941 MB tub for $1,000 that was totally repairable...it had the tailgate cut and lotsa holes, but was not a rusted out one. It had all three data plates intact. I think it went to a good home though....

DATA PLATES 102868 12-9-41.jpg (192.27 KiB) Viewed 1316 times

FRONT FLOOR.jpg (115.33 KiB) Viewed 1316 times

PASS SIDE.jpg (178.43 KiB) Viewed 1316 times

[Mark 1]

I too have heard about Hotchkiss Jeeps being passed off as a WW2 period Jeep, very naughty thing to do, even if the Hotchkiss is a superior vehicle

[Mark Jesic]

You would be suprised how many people over here have fell for it Mark, bottom line is do your research, if in doubt walk away, thats one lesson i did learn.

[Joe Gopan]

Hotchkiss is a good representative of WWII History they can be a crowd pleaser and are a Willys authorized vehicle. I sold new WOF bodies in the 70's, they always fit the MB Frames and bolt holes were not a problem. Many MVCC show winners starting in the 70's were imported Jeeps having a mix of WWII and Hotchkiss. I believe there was a restored WWII Jeep donated by a US Army Colonel to the Smithsonian back in the 70's. If I remember correctly, the body was WOF.
There is a W.O.F. M-201 on the Isle of Jersey that was purchased new from WOF in the late 60's. I was hoping to do the same, but waited too long.

[twinflyer17]

I believe there was a restored WWII Jeep donated by a US Army Colonel to the Smithsonian back in the 70's. If I remember correctly, the body was WOF.

This isn't the one currently hanging in the American History museum, is it?

[Joe Gopan]

Not sure, would have to compare pics. I have not visited the display, just remember it from a blue paperback book on Jeeps years ago. The Jeep in question may also be in JEEP, JEEP, JEEP.