I am Romeo Dilig – MVPA member/Restorer from the Philippines. This is a Slat Grill Willys MB Jeep that was manufactured in 1940. This is one of the 25,000 units of MB Jeeps made by Willys with a welded flat iron “slat” radiator grill. Its withshield is short and the sump for the gas tank is square.
This Jeep was used by the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) in the Philippines. This Jeep is similar to and is the same model that was used by General Edward P. King when he surrendered Bataan (the place where the Death March happened) to the Japanese Command on April 9, 1942. I bought this Jeep from a fraternal brother in Masonry. He in turn bought this Jeep sometime in 1955 during an auction for Philippine Pesos: 1,800.00, equivalent to US $360.00. When I entered Freemasonry in 1992, he was still using this Jeep. During our several stated meetings, he noticed that I was keenly interested in his Jeep. I remember he told me once that someday I will be the one to own this Jeep. He sold me this Jeep in 2004, before he passed away. I started the restoration that same year with body repair. Its body, engine, and chassis are all in its original condition. I just changed the starter and dynamo and had it repainted. The restoration lasted for one year. Here it is now – a 1940 Willys MB “slat” grill.
Romeo Dilig
MVPA member/Restorer