This is my 1964 US Marine Corps Kaiser-Willys M38A1. This is one of the last models of this particular jeep that the military purchased. After the original Army procurement contract expired, the Marine Corps placed a special order for an upgraded M38A1 with extra undercoating, positive traction on both axles, etc.
This is one of the USMC contract vehicles that were made specifically for the Marines (1960-1967). I acquired it from a friend two years ago. The biggest problem with this jeep is that it sat outside in the South Carolina weather for 30+ years and was never cranked or driven. There’s a lot of rust in the floor panels, but overall the body, engine and drive train are in pretty good condition, and it only has 20,000 miles on it. It’s also completely original (except for the parts I’ve replaced), and it has never been civilianized or jury rigged—still has the original military waterproofed fuel and ignition system, and is only missing a few minor parts.
I’ve been working on it and had hoped to get it cranked up without tearing into the engine, but the compression is low, one of the exhaust valves is stuck open and so far I haven’t had any luck getting it to start. I have done a few other repairs as money permits, but funds are tight at the moment so I’m just working on it when I can. I do have it under cover and out of the weather, so it won’t deteriorate any further.
My dad was in the Marines from 1948-1960. He was in the Korean War in 1950-1951 with the 1st Motor Transport Battalion, 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. He landed at Inchon, was in the liberation of Seoul, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, and fighting in south and central Korea. After returning home, he was a Marine Corps motor pool supply clerk at Parris Island and Camp Lejeune, and I’m sure he handled thousands of parts for these jeeps and drove many of them. He passed away in 1993, so I’m restoring this not only because I love military vehicles in general and jeeps in particular, but also as a tribute to my dad and his service. Semper Fi!
These pictures show what it looked like when I first brought it home. We were able to tow it on its own wheels the two miles from the house of my friend who owned it before me. The old 6-ply military tires still hold air!
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Michael Scoggins
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Looking for, Willys Jeep Parts, Willys Jeep replacement parts, Willys Jeep body parts and much more for your 1941-1971 Willys vehicle, you have come to the right place!
Hope it’s coming along well for you. Dad and myself restored (no frame off) years back 63 usmc. Is a tough vehicle. Definitely a different animal. Still learning new things.
Michael,
If you’re still out there, I have the jeep now. I’ll start a blog with the restore pictures. In tribute to you, I’ll try to badge it “2nd Marine Provisional aggressor CO”. Thanks for rescuing the jeep. It wouldn’t have lasted much longer in that field.
My husband has a m38a1 willy jeep I want to surprise him and get the military history of his jeep I want to see where this jeep has been and what it did. Can anyone help me
The Civil Air Patrol squadron in Concord, CA had one for several years. (Late 1960’s early 1970’s.) Where was the starter switch? Was it on the floor? Where? I saw a floor button in one of your pictures and wasn’t sure if it was a starter switch or a dimmer switch for the high beams.
I administered contracts with Willy motors Toledo ohio for the M38A1
Thanks for all the tips and the expressions of support, everyone. I do plan on joining the MVPA and I read about Kroil somewhere else, it sounds like it’s worth giving it a shot. I’m trying to salvage the original gas tank (new ones are really expensive) and I’m optimistic that I can get it repaired and sealed. It’s important to me to keep as much of the original equipment as I can, but some things will have to be replaced. Also working on rebuilding the brake cylinders and replacing the original brake lines, which were shot. There are some more photos if you follow the link.
In case anyone’s interested, I sent Rachel some photos of my dad and my mom, who was also in the Marines. They met at Parris Island in 1952 and I was born in the Naval Hospital on Camp LeJeune in 1953. Dad spent at lot of time at LeJeune, more than any other base he was on. He was with the 8th Auto Supply Company, Service Command, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic in ’54 and ’55 as a motor transport supply chief, and with the 2nd Provisional Marine Aggressor Company, Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic from ’55 to ’57 as a supply administration chief. He made tech sergeant in ’57 and gunnery sergeant in ’59, which was as far as he went before he got out in ’60. Judging from the pictures I have, there were a lot WWII and Korean War veterans in the Corps in those days, especially at LeJeune.
Michael:
I have a ’54 M38A1 that is in a little better shape than yours, but still needs a frame-off restoration. I bought it from an Army soldier at Fort Gordon, Georgia. It is also 100% original. I have gotten a lot of NOS parts for it from a guy named Pete DeBella, who has a website that is well-organized. He always answers his phone and takes your order personally. His prices are fair. He has lots of used parts as well. I love the M38a1 as it is bigger and more stable than the old MB/GPW series and has more power. It is probably a lot safer to drive, although my first car was a ’42 Ford GPW that I drove in high school (and managed to survive!). I also restored a ’53 M38A1 that I bought at auction from the University of California at San Diego. It had been an old Camp Matthews Jeep that was left behind after the University inherited the base and was built. I put a Chevy small block engine in that Jeep and boy did it haul-ass!
You might want to join the MVPA (Military Vehicle Preservation Association), if you have not already. They have some nice publications that are great sources of parts and information. Good luck!
Thanks Jim. The military ID number is visible on the hood. Where can I find the information on those numbers?
MS
A nice story and a great project for all the right reasons! Keep us informed and let us know where we can find pics of your progress!
Michael, I rode and drove my first vehicle Feb 3, 1950 (three days old), going home off of Corpus Christi’s NAS from the hospital and five years later almost on the same day at the age of five. My dad was Navy and he served in WWII and Korea. First, over the Atlantic hunting Nazi sub’s. And, secondly bombing the hell out of Inchon, Seoul, Chosin and their tactical with drawal back to the 38th. My dad had bought a Kaiser~Ford MB 1942 Jeep and trailer. The is a niffty way in identifing Marine …Jeeps and trailer from Army equipment. Go to the leaf springs… the Corp had their springs stamped with a die set and they stamped “USMC”and painted over them and you would never had known they were there. As I was told by an MP Marine over in Vietnam… that was one way they identified stolen Jeeps. So slapping a coat of Army OD over the Marine OD wasn’t good enough anymore, ya had to replace the springs. Not that I knew anything about the Corp missing six; five Jeeps and one 3/4 Trk.
Anyhow I’m retired Army and I’m building myself a 1942 MB. When I get her done I’ll post some pic. I remember my recon jeeps M38A1a2’s. They never failed me.
Amazing vehicle, love that it is 24v, just adds to what makes it interesting. Will love to see it nearing completion
Lordy, lordy! Looks like a really good excuse to get out of the house and into the garage. Michael, I like your way of thinking! As far as the seized up parts, try using Kroil penetrating oil by Kano Labs. In my opinion it’s the best there is. Good luck to you sir!
You have your work cut out. I have a 1954 M-38 A1 that came from the GA ARNG. I have kept it original. It runs well, but is in serious need of a paint job. If anyone knows of a good military paint restoration shop in the Lexington, KY area, please let me know. As an infantry officer, I had a M151 at Ft Bragg and later in Vietnam. These jeeps are special, particularly if you had one in the military. The M38A1 is an amazing vehicle.
Thanks Jim. The military serial number is legible and I would be interested in tracing the vehicle’s history. Where would I find that information? There are also some rebuild tags on the carburetor and fuel pump that indicate it was repaired at the Marine Corps Supply Center in Barstow, California in 1968. I think it was surplused in the 1970s and sold to the local Civil Defense, as it still has the Civil Defense stickers on the sides.
Michael:
Wow what a story and oh yeah you came to the right place for all the parts you may need.
And to think that your Late Father being a Marine and working in Motor pools on these Jeeps.
Could very well at some time worked on and or driven this very Jeep. How cool is that!
And it would be even cooler if your Father was there to help you. But when you need a little help look up. Your dad will be looking down smiling. You may or may not know you can run ID Numbers painted on the Jeep if they are still there. A light number can be found in the right lighting conditions.
Please keep us posted as work progress’s along. You may want to post pics of your Father if you have them with a Jeep that he is standing near it. Alot of info can gained thru MVPA Military Vehicle
Preservation Association. They will send a sample of the Magazine they publish if you call 800-365-5798. I have a copy myself and it is packed with pics.
I also have a friend who has a USMARINE M38A1 and has fully restored it. And it is well done also.
Good Luck and Best Wishes.