UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $9250.
“This is an actual USMC, MRC-83 Radio variant of the M38A1. Original condition, refreshed, have title and registration, original data plates, no rust.
The MRC-83 consisted of a TRC-75 radio mounted across the full rear of the Jeep on top of the wheel wells. There was no radio on this jeep when I got it nor would I want a 300 pound box in the back of the jeep. I did however add the rear seat. On the MRC-83, there was also a power supply case that mounted in between the wheel wells. The upper radio case and its components weighed in at 125lbs. The TRC-75 was an HF set 2-30mc. Power supply was from a 150 amp 24v DC brushless generator ran from the engine, which powered an inverter to make 115 vac 400 cy (the inners of the TRC-75 are aircraft radio components).
Because this was a radio vehicle, this jeep still has the 150 amp generator and a heavier duty suspension. NOTE: Some of you will not that the data tags are silver and think they are not original. To my knowledge, all USMC M38A1 radio vehicles had ALUMINUM data plates and they pretty much all have faded and look like this one.
This vehicle is pretty much all original. I purchased this vehicle several years ago from a gentleman in Colorado. He sold it because he wanted to restore a White Half Track. He told me he purchased it from a gentleman who had stored it for about 15 years. That man had purchased it from the city of Durango or Cortez (one of them) which had been using it as a park maintenance vehicle. I am an active Marine reservist and have over 20 years of commissioned service and I know from experience that ‘COM’ vehicles get very little use. They are parked in the ‘COM SHOP’ and a vehicle like this would be parked on a hill and not driven much for communication purposes. I am mentioning this because the original odometer had less than 1,000 miles on it before I replaced it. I believe that because it is such a late issued vehicle to the fleet marine force that it was used little, retired shortly after being put into service and because it is a comm. And based on its condition, I do believe that it probably had less than 1,000 miles.
When I repainted it, it had peeling white paint but I could see the original USMC hood markings which I duplicated, it had some different tires with dry rot and the canvas or leatherette was missing. That is it. I replaced these items, had it blasted and repainted in original USMC semi-gloss paint, replaced all the usual items like exhaust, brake shoes, brake lines, rotor, points, plug wires, etc., etc., basically anything and everything you would do when a vehicle requires a reconditioning. I also had the radiator boiled and tested. Other items were done like hoses, thermostat, radiator cap. I can go on. The vehicle was almost 100% rust free when I bought it. There was a small (quarter sized) hole by the front passenger seat and I had that professionally repaired prior to painting. The map box, tool storage area, underbody, etc., are all solid and rust free.
THIS IS NOT A RESORED VEHICLE. THIS IS AN ORIGINAL CONDITION 1984 USMC MRC-83 VARIANT OF THE M38A1. It would be a fantastic candidate for restoration. If someone simply wants to take it apart, clean the disassembled items and reassemble it, it would be good to go.
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