Seller has removed a layer of blue paint which revealed olive drab. Otherwise, I would have thought this was an Air Force jeep. Maybe used by the Army, then. the Air Force?
https://eastidaho.craigslist.org/cto/d/salmon-1953-m38a1-willys-jeep/7401497735.html
“1953 M38A1 Willys Jeep. It is pretty much original though the electrical system has been converted to 12 volts. The brakes have been rebuilt and the tires are new. The canvas top is laying in the back on the floor. The exterior and interior were painted blue and the seats are upholstered in blue. I was going to freshen up the exterior paint. The blue easily came off with sanding leaving the original olive drab and markings. To restore it back to olive drab will take more time and energy then I have so it is for sale. Asking $6000.”
A lot of Civil Defense jeeps were painted that blue, I have one.
Expanding on Mark’s comment, this would be a Civil Air Patrol chapter Jeep. USAF M38s and M38A1s came painted Strata Blue from the factory and were few in number. When the military started unloading M38A1s in the late 60s – mid 70s, most CAP chapters were offered one. They received an overspray Strata Blue paint job and CAP decals as well as a Civil Defense decal on each side as CAP was a component of the CD system.
This particular one is a late ’53 judging from the grill hinges are absent. That said, the original military serial number and date of delivery plate is missing from the data plate cluster panel. It’s been replaced with a BLANK plate for an M170 ambulance which this is not. The Willys Overland and Willys manufacturer’s serial number plate is on the wheel house behind the passenger seat (probably painted over). If missing, it’s anyone’s guess within a 2 year range.
All that said, the M38A1 remains the best (IMO) and most affordable surplus military Jeep to date. And this is an excellent price if the title is good.
what a rig !! a blend of kelly manufacturing and the US ARMY !!