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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5800.
Robin noticed that this doesn’t have a battery box; yet it does have all the other characteristics of an M-38A1 body (and does not have the CJ-5 body branding). Anyone have any thoughts as to why?
“Has hard top that can be removed new tired and brakes.”
interesting there is no battery cover on the right side.
That is interesting.
Looks like a very original and cheap usaf truck. But that makes me wonder.
Has that faded strata blue throughout so its almost as if it never had it.
But it has the military slave cable indention. Wish there were more pics.
Robin: Somehow I missed your comment. You are right, it is curious that there is no battery box cover.
Brent: As you point out, it’s definitely an M-38A1 body. However, the hardtop wasn’t produced until the late 50s/early 60s, so it was painted whenever the top was added, but it still should have the battery box.
The original CJ-4M prototype (https://cj3b.info/CJ4.html)didn’t have the battery box lid, but all the other earliest M-38A1s did have lids, at least on the pics I’ve been able to locate.
I don’t know what to think. I’ll reschedule this for tomorrow and see if anyone else has a thought.
I think the battery box cover was removed and the hole filled in based on the slightly different colr/fading of the paint in that area. It would make changing batteries difficult!
you can see the battery in the engine compartment so probably 12 v
ARRG! Missed that battery. If there is only one, the has it been converted to 12V?
I’m with Gayland on this. I think the battery box was removed and finished over. And the 12V conversion adds to this. I can see OD under the hood. As Dave said, top was added. Nice job, but the military wouldn’t have placed a hatch blocked by a spare tire and gas can and wouldn’t have left it like that. Everything else speaks of genuine M38A1 for the year in question: hinged grill, Douglass connectors, carb, SP wires, etc. Battery box covers were kept through 63 to accommodate reissue contracts for the Marine Corp and CDN.
The 3rd picture, under that right fender, it appears to me you can see one of the tie-down brackets(on the frame). Those tie -downs were on the M38 and M38A1. My guess would be the owner nixed the 24 volt and, like the previous post stated, did some nice body work to cover up the cowl battery box. John
I think Seller should produce some history, documentation, proof, Stories(lie to us,make something up),etc that this was a Jeep owned by USAF. Im gonna call it as a genuine parade jeep and NOT ever owned by USAF. It’s a 1952. Even after military use that’s plenty of time for a proud vet to acquire this jeep and doll it up for parade and still years left to fade over. I know that military bases bought local civilian vehicles and maybe even civilian hardtops but it’s a no for me on the top also. I think the perfect stenciling was done about the same time as the overspray wheel painting to sell. (That’s the same as a used car dealer detailing job to sell a lemon to the most gullible)
The battery box was the first civilian project bondo Bubba job I noticed then the bondo on right rear corner where hardtop meets tub. That’s a civilian project bondo Bubba job also.
(stated price just under 6 G to make the gullible think their getting a deal. Again, used car dealer old trick).
For $6000 this jeep should maybe have US Air Force on the Military dash data plate for “Responsible Agency” although we know US Marine Corps and others had “hand me down” jeeps from Army. I’ve actually seen one M38a1 with US Air Force as “Responsible Agency”. The jeeps location is Kentucky. The nearest Air Force Base would probably be Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio(Old jeeps usually didn’t stray too far from home base after surplus). That’s where some Seller history, documentation, stories, proof, will help.
I don’t think it’s an M38A1. After looking over the body folks have state the battery top lid is missing but as I looked it over I didn’t see the 5 inch fuel cap. My M38 and my M38A1 can use each other fuel lid. Both have a pull out extender with the fine screen at the end trying to prevent debris. I think it’s a CJ5 that has been changed into a military jeep. That’s my two cents and if you had the other 98 cents you might just be able to buy a cold Dr. Pepper if you find an old machine!
One of the things I think would be more work than it’s worth to convert is the tailgate delete panel. Not sure if there’s a fuel tank sump.
It’s an A1: fuel sump on those models is shallow enough it wouldn’t be seen from that angle; fuel fill neck/cap is hidden by the closed door; hinged front grill (52/53 yrs); no trademark embossment on sides; 45 angle front fender seam; correct positioned holes in back panel for tire carrier and fuel can carrier; recessed headlights and blackout light openings; clevis brackets visible behind rear bumperettes; firewall delete plates for A1; OD paint very visible under hood. Fair price for a running, ill-painted A1 even after stripping off the top and considering what we see is missing.
On this site, back in February 2018, there is one just like listed for sale in Texas. You can still view it. It sure looks like the same vehicle, maybe not. There was a large piece of wood attached to the back which explains why there is no spare or can. Prior post is correct, the fuel filler is covered up by the door.
John
John,
Thanks for the lead. Agreed. It sure looks like the same jeep to me: http://www.ewillys.com/2018/02/03/1952-m-38a1-air-force-jeep-austin-tx-15500/
– Dave
Most of these blue jeeps were hand me downs to the Civil Air Patrol and usually suffered lots of mods to keep them going with no dollars provided for maintenance .
Buz. I think your point on Civil Air Patrol is a very good one and a good possibility for this mystery jeep. However with faded paint do you think the CAP decal area would show as they always proudly stenciled and marked their vehicles?
John. It is definitely the same jeep posted for sale in Feb 2018. But it was never a “Follow Me” jeep. That board was made for show, parade, and to sell. (Must have found a gulable soul who is now trying to get money back so foolishly spent) Transient Alert did not use a crude board and during this time they would have Tower Signals labeled on the dash along with other dash labeling to include safety decals/ stencils, etc.(no evidence on dash because they were never there).
But this has been the great debate/mystery. I’m still going with parade, show, sell to gullible.
Ok seller. What say you? We desperately need a story here! Make something up please like the Feb 2018 ad!
I think its an A1, and Buz hit the nail on the head. Alot of these USAF rig went to the Civil Air Patrol units, with little maintenance funds, and a bunch of kids trying to keep there rigs going.
agree on it being an A1. has all the other features of one. why they wld bother to bondo the battery box cover is beyond me, or the rr corner of hard top. USAF wld not care abt spare or gas, most just drove around the base. the plug wires look 24v, but im sure it has been converted to 12v. too bad. my $0.02! these jeeps were long gone when i was in AF so cannot comment on how legit numbers on door are.