UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Looks nice.
“This is not a replica Jeep. It is a restored original, numbers matching, 4 cyl, 60 hp, 134 ci L-head (Go-Devil) engine. Early SLAT GRILLS are unique as they have no glove box, they have a round muffler, The original air cleaner is known as an oil bath air cleaner. It has hard rubber and 3/4 in rope hood bumpers, solid wheels, three bolt spare tire carrier, no blackout driving lights, no gas can holder, makers name is embossed on the rear panel and a slat grill on the willys. As noted by the serial number this Jeep is one of the last SLAT GRILLS. Only 200 slat grills are estimated to have survived through 2006, according to “Army Motors”, the official magazine of the Military Vehicle Preservation Assoc. The frame and body parts are all original.
The wheels are not “Combat Wheels”, but civilian wheels. “Combat Wheels” were “Not of Issue” on prototype Jeeps until S/N 125700. The reason being, Willys was in the automotive business prior to building “1/4 Ton Utility Trucks.” To meet the demands of the government contract, they had to bid the entire jeep at under $400.00 per unit. To stay under budget, they sold themselves Willys automobile wheels in the very early production (VEP JEEP) versions.
Jeeps were notorious for not stopping very well so I installed a set of 1954 Ford brakes and pads to make it safer on the street.
I also converted the original voltage regulator/electrical system to a modern day 12 volt electronic ignition system for added dependability.
The last Willys SLAT GRILL was S/N 125807; this is S/N 124833 and was devivered to the US Army on March 5, 1942. Frame off restorationwas completed in 2009 and she has been the star of hanger dances, parades, Veterans Day Events, air shows and USO shows. It is a show vehicle, not a ramble through the bushes and the brambles jeep. The mainenance manual is in English and Russian. It is “period correct” complete with a 48 star flag, all canvas top, shovel and Axe attached to the drivers side and a copy of an M! automatic carbile for the dash.”
