Paul spotted this unique slat grille M-38A1 at an Alaska outdoor car show. I think it is pretty well done.
Paul spotted this unique slat grille M-38A1 at an Alaska outdoor car show. I think it is pretty well done.
Paul Barry from Willys America and his wife Jane discovered these two jeeps on the SS Jeremiah O’Brien. Moored at Pier 45 in San Francisco, it’s the last unaltered Liberty Ship from WWII. These days it operates as a living museum teaching tourists. You can learn more at the SS Jeremiah O’Brien website.
This is a rough project.
“THIS IS A VERY EARLY PRODUCTION WILLYS MB. IT HAS SLAT GRILL AND REAR WILLYS SCRIPT. THE VIN IS I02095.
THIS CAME FROM A FARMERS FIELD WHERE IT HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE THE 1950’S. THE JEEP FLOOR BOARD IS VERY RUSTY BUT THE REAR IS PRETTY GOOD. THE MOTOR WAS COVERED AND HAS OIL IN IT. TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE ARE STILL IN THE JEEP. THIS WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT WILLYS TO RESTORE GIVEN IT IS SUCH AN EARLY PRODUCTION. PLEASE SEE ALL THE PICTURES WHICH INCLUDE A LOT OF PARTS. NO TITLE. WILL PROVIDE BILL OF SALE.”
Joe and his GPW attended the 24th Annual Military Vehicle Show held by the Arizona Military Vehicle Collectors Club this past weekend. It looks like he was having plenty of fun!
UPDATE: SOLD on eBay for 8628.
This is a unique jeep. It’s a Slat Grille with a Glove Box built for Britain. Read all about it below.
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UPDATES:
I’ve had a few questions on the signifcance of the BRT designation and why it is so unique.
What the BRT specifically stands for is “Britian” and it’s marked specifically on the data plate in the “mystery box” on the line that says “MAKE MODEL” “WILLYS MB” just above the Serial Number location.
The BRT marking makes this jeep specifically a British contract jeep. Produce by the Willys Factory specifically for export for the British military during the war. Exports contract negotiated happened before the US even entered the war. Making even the story of the BRT’s very interesting.
Eventually some of the British contracts request were filled with reconditioned vehicles due to American war needs. The actual number of BRT jeeps that were produced is very few and fewer survive today.
There is an excellent sections on Export jeeps specifically the BRT and specifically differences in markings and later modifications written by Peter Ferris in Lloyd White’s book “The Evolution of the Willys-Overland MB Jeep Volume 1” (chapter 8 for those of you that have the book; but if you would like to know where to get a copy of the book send me an email and I can set you in the right direction)
As noted earlier being that this slat has a glove box it is VERY rare, being that it has the BRT designation makes it even rarer. This jeep is one of the most unique, smallest production, most coveted jeeps of the war, and very deserving of a proper restoration.
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4000
Has an MB Slat Grille.
“Thinking about selling or trading my Crawler.. It’s a 42 Ford GPW with a 302 with Holly projection and Malory coil and distributor… Motor runs perfect bad thing is Transmission is bad.. Have it out already it’s a np435 with Dana 20 case.. 4 link rear with blue torch trusses and Fox shocks.. Front is still springs Dana 44 axles locked front and spool in rear.. Has big aluminum fuel cell.. 8k pound warn winch.. 36 tsls on bead locks $4000”
Maury spotted this ad showing a famous shot of a slat grille charging over a hill.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
“1942 Willys MB Slat Grill Jeep. Serial no. 111847. Date of delivery is unknown as the main data plate is missing. Recently purchased from the estate of a long time collector and was found in San Antonio, TX 25 years ago. Jeep is not running and has not run in many years. Engine turns over freely and jeep rolls easily. No obvious cracks in the usual places on the engine. The engine serial no. is S38361. It is an original chain drive WWII engine and has a Ford GPW head and water outlet. Probably replaced by the Army. Engine has all the early Willys manifolds, orig WO carb. etc. The body has rust on both front quarter panels and there is a patch in the passenger floor board. There is little to no rust in the rear tool boxes.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5500.
Runs and drives.
“VIN# 113422
USA # 2046114 S
The first 25,808 Willys MBs used a welded steel grille very similar to the Ford GP design, and there were a host of other differences from the later Willys. These early MBs had “Willys” embossed in the back panel. In production, the slat-grilles were given running changes until they finally evolved into the standard stamped-grille MB we know and love. Around 200 slat-grilles are estimated to survive today.
I have restored 5 combat wheels with new NDT tires
-2 gallons of correct olive drab green
-complete NEW seat canvas
-stencil kit with correct USA #
-Runs and Drives great!
This jeep has been in our family and stored inside since the 50’s.
My Grandfather was a POW in WWII”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This one is worth a look. Lots of eyeballs watching this auction.
“I am relisting this Jeep with a Buy it Now instead of a reserve. There are 2 original Solid Rims and the original Axe holder which are now pictured and included in the sale. No Axe. Also I will ship the Jeep world wide. Cost to Europe is about $2500 For US buyers I can bring it into Washington State and you can take it from there. For all the on off I have dropped the price slightly also..
This is Willys MB120181… Original 1942 Slat Grill. The jeep is in excellent condition. Runs and drive perfectly. All Gauges and electrical work perfectly.
Motor is strong and runs as it should. Starts up all the time with no hesitation or problems. No Smoke ever. Rest of the drivetrain is perfect.
The body is totally rust free. The data plates are original and the chasis number matches the number plate on the left side frame bumper extension.
It was a full off body restoration. The engine was completely rebuilt and drivetrain also. The rear seat was not restored as it is the original seat and canvas from 1942
This is not a reproduction tub on this Jeep.. It was built/restored before tubs were available. I did confirm this with the past owner.. Panels and metal were used to repair any rust etc then”