Finished in Gunmetal Grey Metallic the 1951 military Jeep has been transformed with a couple modern and more convenient touches. The owners father who originally owned the Willys has his racing number displayed on the tailgate in remembrance.
With the chassis restored and a brand new engine built from NOS block and parts it was time to tackle a fuel tank relocation. Early Jeep drivers had to sit on top of the gas tank but with the installment of a CJ7 tank in the rear we were able to free up the space used by the original fuel tank for other things.
The Forward Control Jeeps were built by Willys Motors and featured engineering that was based on the CJ-5. The FC-170 model had a six cylinder Super Hurricane engine and a longer nine foot bed.
The M38 windshield could be folded flat for firing and the body was equipped with a pintle hook for towing and lifting shackles front and rear.
With the old body to the 1952 Willys M38A1 sitting in the background the Willys is starting to look like a completed truck.
The new body being lowered onto the restored frame. The M38A1 was the first vehicle to feature the round fender design that would later become the distinguishing body style of the CJ-5.
This is how the entire body of Willys M38A1 is packed into a crate and shipped across the world to keep these iconic Jeeps on the road.
“Little” Red is a brush fire truck that was owned by the Civil Defense and used by the So. Amana Fire Department. This is from the first year of production of a the M38A1 that continued for 20 years.
Built by Willys-Overland from 1926 to 1931 the Whippet was an attempt at a line of smaller cars until the depression ultimately doomed the brand. The Whippet 98A had 6 cylinder engine rated at 50 bhp and were produced in great number reaching a production of 82,207 units.
Although not a restoration this Willys is not back in drivable condition after many years of being in an inoperable state. The wheels have been restored and powder coated and fitted with a new set of Coker military tires and an electric fuel pump has been added to assist with starting after an extended storage.
Powered by the L-134 Go-Devil engine these civilian versions of the military Willys MB were intended for farming, ranching, and industrial applications. The CJ-2A sports a grille reminiscent of those found on modern Jeeps which makes them easy to differentiate from the military model.
