David Eilers

1953 M-38A1 Mangum, KS $6700

This is missing the battery box lid (battery box?), but does have the indent on the passenger cowl. Note that both batteries are under the hood in tandem.

https://lawton.craigslist.org/cto/d/mangum-military-jeep-willys-m38a1/7492217997.html

"'53 m38a1 jeep. new batteries - new starter - new brake -master cylinder -runs good -tires good."

1953-m38a1-magnum-ks1
1953-m38a1-magnum-ks2
1953-m38a1-magnum-ks3
1953-m38a1-magnum-ks4

3 Comments

  1. John B
    Seems like a good place for a new military Jeep owner to ask a question. I have seen several A1s here with batteries under the hood and not in the battery box. Why would they do that?
  2. Barney Goodwin
    John - Probably cost. Many who buy these M-series Jeeps, whether M38, M38A1 or the 151 series, don;t realize what they are getting into cost-wise. The narrow batteries that go in the cowl box cost more. The box lid (missing here) is available - for $110. Often parts or all of the original electrical system are missing - perhaps even the battery cables to the cowl box. At least this one is still 24V. But a photo walk-around of this Jeep shows there are thousand of dollars worth of parts needed to bring it back to a military specimen . Unless one wants the challenge, it would be far more economical to buy one restored already, whether mechanical only, Motorpool or top show quality. $12 - 25K. The M38A1 is not a rare Jeep and are readily available at any level as are parts.
    1. David Eilers
      Barny, Thanks for the explanation. I didn't realize the M-38A1 batteries cost more (add that to the things-I-didn't-know list, because I never had to know ...). - Dave

Leave a Reply

Continue reading