When I got selected for Warrant Officer Candidate school, A retired CW4 told me that he would sell me his M38A1 for $500.00 when I graduated. My wife was standing there when the conversation was held in front of his vehicle storage bays. She was looking at the already restored one. She was not privy to the prior conversation about it and, apparently, did not see the pile of parts in the back corner. Yes, this is what we were discussing, not the restored one. It had been disassembled about 20 years prior and was sold to my friend, as the previous owner lost interest. Obviously, I graduated and bought the “Jeep”. I had my brother meet me at my house with his pickup to go get it. When he showed up, I had my trailer hooked up to my M880. “follow me with your truck”, I told him. “Why”? he asked. “You have your trailer”. He too did not know what we were picking up. When we got there, he understood as he shook his head. We pulled out a body, a frame a hood, windshield, etc. He looked at me in amazement. “Do you think you can fix it up?” “Of course” I replied. When we drove it back to my house, my wife looked at the trailer and 2 trucks of parts and peanut butter jars of hardware. Her only comment was “You’ll never get it running.” That’s a challenge, I thought to myself. So, 400 hours and 9 months later, my Christmas present was driving it by the house and blowing the horn to her. It may have been -20, but I was warm with pride.
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A friend of mine just finished an A1 , and here in Florida we have a law that allows a former military vehicle to have a “On Demand Tag”, which means It has to be in the vehicle, but not mounted. One of the provisions of the law say’s that it has to have military markings on it, My friend refuse’s to put them on. Good luck to him, if he runs into a law enforcement officer, that knows the law. I know the law, because I’m the one that wrote it.
A friend of mine just finished an A1 , and here in Florida we have a law that allows a former military vehicle to have a “On Demand Tag”, which means It has to be in the vehicle, but not mounted. One of the provisions of the law say’s that it has to have military markings on it, My friend refuse’s to put them on. Good luck to him, if he runs into a law enforcement officer, that knows the law. I know the law, because I’m the one that wrote it.
Awesome story, and an awesome ride. Congratulations!
Awesome story, and an awesome ride. Congratulations!
That’s a beautiful job!
That’s a beautiful job!
Very nice! I have a ’53 M38A1 that my Grandpa, left me in his will. I can’t wait to pull it out of storage (next spring?) and start restoring it for my son.
Very nice! I have a ’53 M38A1 that my Grandpa, left me in his will. I can’t wait to pull it out of storage (next spring?) and start restoring it for my son.
Folks who are not jeep people wouldn’t understand. It looks like you were fortunate enough to have started with a pretty good body and frame. You went from there and built an excellent M38a1. You should be rightfully proud of your accomplishment.
Folks who are not jeep people wouldn’t understand. It looks like you were fortunate enough to have started with a pretty good body and frame. You went from there and built an excellent M38a1. You should be rightfully proud of your accomplishment.
Thank you all.
The body looked god from a distance, but it got a new rear deck hat channels and front floors.
These pictures helped me secure a contract with a state to restore their 53 M38A1.
Thank you all.
The body looked god from a distance, but it got a new rear deck hat channels and front floors.
These pictures helped me secure a contract with a state to restore their 53 M38A1.
Stories like this are real encouraging. Can’t wait to get back to work on mine after the holidays!
Stories like this are real encouraging. Can’t wait to get back to work on mine after the holidays!
Thank you all. This actually turned into a job. I got back from Afghanistan and had no job as the company shut down. I ended up starting a company doing Military restorations. I just finished a 66 M151 and am currently working on a 53 M38A1 for the state of CT.
https://www.facebook.com/www.militaryrestorations
Thank you all. This actually turned into a job. I got back from Afghanistan and had no job as the company shut down. I ended up starting a company doing Military restorations. I just finished a 66 M151 and am currently working on a 53 M38A1 for the state of CT.
https://www.facebook.com/www.militaryrestorations
Would you mind sharing where you got the correct o.d. Green paint from? Wanting to find it for mine in the Spring.
Would you mind sharing where you got the correct o.d. Green paint from? Wanting to find it for mine in the Spring.
Hi
Great job! I to have a M38A1 I saved it form the deer lease! I have restored it to all Military! Its great addition to my 1953 M37 Dodge 3/4 ton it too is parade ready! Check out our Club Web site http://www.lonestar-mvpa.org
1SG Madison Hughes Ret. TXARNG
Hi
Great job! I to have a M38A1 I saved it form the deer lease! I have restored it to all Military! Its great addition to my 1953 M37 Dodge 3/4 ton it too is parade ready! Check out our Club Web site http://www.lonestar-mvpa.org
1SG Madison Hughes Ret. TXARNG
Paul,
Your M38A1 looks awesome and great story! I restored a ’55 Willys out of two ’55’s…a ’55 CJ5 and a ’55 M38A1 (both were in very bad condition). I unfortunately did not have enough vehicle left of either Jeep to restore both, so decided to do the next best thing…I blended the two to make one! You will be surprised (or maybe have already noticed) how similar and interchangeable parts from the early models are. I am sure you are now “hooked”…like myself and many others.
Funny when you mentioned your wife’s reaction…mine said the same thing…(“you’ll never get either running! She thought I was “nuts”). Well once I did…I drove it past the window beeping the horn and you could see my smile a 1/2 mile away.
Again…great job!
Rich
PS – thank you for your service and Happy Holidays!
Paul,
Your M38A1 looks awesome and great story! I restored a ’55 Willys out of two ’55’s…a ’55 CJ5 and a ’55 M38A1 (both were in very bad condition). I unfortunately did not have enough vehicle left of either Jeep to restore both, so decided to do the next best thing…I blended the two to make one! You will be surprised (or maybe have already noticed) how similar and interchangeable parts from the early models are. I am sure you are now “hooked”…like myself and many others.
Funny when you mentioned your wife’s reaction…mine said the same thing…(“you’ll never get either running! She thought I was “nuts”). Well once I did…I drove it past the window beeping the horn and you could see my smile a 1/2 mile away.
Again…great job!
Rich
PS – thank you for your service and Happy Holidays!
I also have an M38A1, 1952 model. I bought it from the widow of the man who first started the restoration. I have put in a year of time, and many dollars (I can’t do much of the work myself) , but I ran it in the local Christmas Parade in Richburg SC last month, with signs that said, “Merry Christmas Veterans”. I got lots of smiles and a few salutes. When I was at Fort Carson, CO in the early 1960’s, we had a few of these M38A1s, but when the 5th Inf Div was reactivated, we got all new M151’s and brand-new, just off the assembly line M37B1s. My Weapons platoon had three M37Bs, two M38A1C gun jeeps with 106mm Recoilless Antitank Rifles, and my M151. I’m having a blast with my M38A1; I have it tagged here in SC, and drive it anywhere. I still need the stars, letters and numbers. I’ll send a photo when I’m done with it!
I also have an M38A1, 1952 model. I bought it from the widow of the man who first started the restoration. I have put in a year of time, and many dollars (I can’t do much of the work myself) , but I ran it in the local Christmas Parade in Richburg SC last month, with signs that said, “Merry Christmas Veterans”. I got lots of smiles and a few salutes. When I was at Fort Carson, CO in the early 1960’s, we had a few of these M38A1s, but when the 5th Inf Div was reactivated, we got all new M151’s and brand-new, just off the assembly line M37B1s. My Weapons platoon had three M37Bs, two M38A1C gun jeeps with 106mm Recoilless Antitank Rifles, and my M151. I’m having a blast with my M38A1; I have it tagged here in SC, and drive it anywhere. I still need the stars, letters and numbers. I’ll send a photo when I’m done with it!