148: Craig Vonilten’s 1953 Willys M38A1
No point in keeping it in a garage… I caught this evening shot while checking the cattle fencing along the ridge. The coastal marine layer was spilling in over the lower hills, flowing in from the Pacific. It doesn’t get much better than this… Signal Corps vehicle fully equipped with the GRC-9 and all the accessories. Ready for SITREPs back to the CP. I’ve personally met the four previous owners. All great guys… and we’ve all individually contributed to the restoration of this Jeep.
– Craig Vonilten
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Nice pictures! This reminds me of my Signal Corps days and working at Regan’s “Rancho Del Cielo”
Nice pictures! This reminds me of my Signal Corps days and working at Regan’s “Rancho Del Cielo”
Nice work Craig. I restored the same year, the last thing left to do is rebuild the steering gear box. Mine looks “original military” except for “daily driver” improvements:
Electrical load control/switch panel (Custom built into the glove box door)
Electric wiper motors
Electric fuel pump
Electric radiator cooling fan
Electronic ignition
12 V alternator
Dual switchable 12V Optimus batteries
Custom wiring harness
Quick connect/removable comm/nav/antenna pallet
4 point roll cage
3 point seat racing harnesses
After market wheels, same as stock size
2″ body lift bushings
New Solex carb
Custom intake air cleaner w/ switchable fording stack
Custom insulated exhaust w /switchable fording stack
Spin on oil filter w/ heat exchanger
Rhino lined interior of body
Black vinyl Bestop
The base paint was baby blue…thought it might have originally been a NATO jeep? On top of that was tan drab, is now olive drab.
Nice work Craig. I restored the same year, the last thing left to do is rebuild the steering gear box. Mine looks “original military” except for “daily driver” improvements:
Electrical load control/switch panel (Custom built into the glove box door)
Electric wiper motors
Electric fuel pump
Electric radiator cooling fan
Electronic ignition
12 V alternator
Dual switchable 12V Optimus batteries
Custom wiring harness
Quick connect/removable comm/nav/antenna pallet
4 point roll cage
3 point seat racing harnesses
After market wheels, same as stock size
2″ body lift bushings
New Solex carb
Custom intake air cleaner w/ switchable fording stack
Custom insulated exhaust w /switchable fording stack
Spin on oil filter w/ heat exchanger
Rhino lined interior of body
Black vinyl Bestop
The base paint was baby blue…thought it might have originally been a NATO jeep? On top of that was tan drab, is now olive drab.
I am kicking myself. On Sunday I drove my M38A1 to the gas station about seven miles away. The bottom radiator hose blew off, and the Jeep overheated and shut down before I knew what was happening. I know that the head gasket is blown, and I have ordered a new one. I have done that job before, and it isn’t too difficult. I’m hoping there is no more damage. My Jeep never had a thermostat. I should have left it alone. I put a 180 degree thermostat in it, which either stuck or malfunctioned in some way. I’ve had this Jeep for about eight years and driven it about 5,000 miles with no thermostat. I am stuck with some very unnecessary repairs.
Nice looking Jeep, by the way.
Gene
Lexington, KY
I am kicking myself. On Sunday I drove my M38A1 to the gas station about seven miles away. The bottom radiator hose blew off, and the Jeep overheated and shut down before I knew what was happening. I know that the head gasket is blown, and I have ordered a new one. I have done that job before, and it isn’t too difficult. I’m hoping there is no more damage. My Jeep never had a thermostat. I should have left it alone. I put a 180 degree thermostat in it, which either stuck or malfunctioned in some way. I’ve had this Jeep for about eight years and driven it about 5,000 miles with no thermostat. I am stuck with some very unnecessary repairs.
Nice looking Jeep, by the way.
Gene
Lexington, KY
Good to see the old gal on the trails again.
Better than sittin’ under a leaky tarp.
Don.
Owner # 4
Good to see the old gal on the trails again.
Better than sittin’ under a leaky tarp.
Don.
Owner # 4
I HAVE A 1945 WILLIS JEEP,RECENTLY BAUGHT 4 NEW TIRES ND ,AND NEW COVER , WHAT IS THE GOING PRICE ? willing to sell.
I HAVE A 1945 WILLIS JEEP,RECENTLY BAUGHT 4 NEW TIRES ND ,AND NEW COVER , WHAT IS THE GOING PRICE ? willing to sell.