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need advice on m38a1

need advice on m38a1
J

justinfonder

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Location
Fort Pierce, FL
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1981 CJ5, 258 w/ clifford intake and holley 4bbl/T-176/D300. 32x11.50s
Hey guys, I'm needing some advice on the potential purchase of a 1953 willys m38a1. It's in good unrestored condition and it's supposedly "rust free". The motor was rebuilt last year and you can hop in and drive it down the road as it sits. The jeep was my grand father's, whom he passed down to my uncle, and has now ended up with my convict cousin who just wants to sell it. Me already being a jeep guy and it having the sentiment of being my grandfather's, who raised me btw, I want to buy it. Now to me this thing is priceless, but he has no idea what it's worth. Can anyone give me a good starting point on a price? Anything I should know or check for in these jeeps?
 
justinfonder said:
Hey guys, I'm needing some advice on the potential purchase of a 1953 willys m38a1. It's in good unrestored condition and it's supposedly "rust free". The motor was rebuilt last year and you can hop in and drive it down the road as it sits. The jeep was my grand father's, whom he passed down to my uncle, and has now ended up with my convict cousin who just wants to sell it. Me already being a jeep guy and it having the sentiment of being my grandfather's, who raised me btw, I want to buy it. Now to me this thing is priceless, but he has no idea what it's worth. Can anyone give me a good starting point on a price? Anything I should know or check for in these jeeps?
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Cool story. I can't help you with the value but I really hope you can get it....because it was your Grandfathers. Rick
 
justinfonder said:
Hey guys, I'm needing some advice on the potential purchase of a 1953 willys m38a1. It's in good unrestored condition and it's supposedly "rust free". The motor was rebuilt last year and you can hop in and drive it down the road as it sits. The jeep was my grand father's, whom he passed down to my uncle, and has now ended up with my convict cousin who just wants to sell it. Me already being a jeep guy and it having the sentiment of being my grandfather's, who raised me btw, I want to buy it. Now to me this thing is priceless, but he has no idea what it's worth. Can anyone give me a good starting point on a price? Anything I should know or check for in these jeeps?
Click to expand...

Being unrestored I would closely look at the problem areas that jeeps have for rust on frame areas and check underneath for floor pan and cross member areas for rust and brake lines and parts and fuel lines as they get older the lines and small parts will need attention, and since we don't see pictures its hard to presume the condition , also how is the electrical system ? gauges all work lights , wipers ect. ? But with that said if it really has a freshly rebuilt motor and fare shape$1000 to $1500 real fare up to $4000 depending on real condition could be more and how well you like your convict cousin , the value is your grandfathers jeep so low ball him at a $1000 and see if he accepts , now if it was a real military jeep m38a1 then value would be considerable higher at a collectible stand point
 
72rtchallenger said:
Being unrestored I would closely look at the problem areas that jeeps have for rust on frame areas and check underneath for floor pan and cross member areas for rust and brake lines and parts and fuel lines as they get older the lines and small parts will need attention, and since we don't see pictures its hard to presume the condition , but with that said if it really has a freshly rebuilt motor and fare shape $1500 to $4000 depending on real condition could be more and how well you like your convict cousin , the value is your grandfathers jeep so low ball him at a $1500 and see if he accepts , now if it was a real military jeep m38a1 then value would be considerable higher at a collectible stand point
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I'm waiting on a return call from him today. Unfortunately the jeep is in Idaho and I'm in Florida so crawling under it and really inspecting is out of the question. He is supposed to be sending me some detailed pictures today. It was a "real" military jeep that my grandfather bought at an auction in the 60s. Still has the cans and original e-tool he says
 
Any chance it's in eastern Idaho? I could take some pics.
 
Sounds interesting. As a former owner of a stock M38a1 I can give you a couple tips. They use a 24volt electrical system. They are heavy! LOL
F-head 4cyl w T-90 Transmission .No tailgate. Collector value if unmolested or close to stock.Check over on the G503 forum.Could be a fun Military Restoration
project with parts availability good. Hope you can make a deal on it.
mike:)
 
They do look great once restored. If yours is truely rust free and fairly unmolested Id grab it. Especially with the family ties on top of it.

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so i had him send me a few pictures today. it is definitely not as he described it to me(refer back to ex-convict statement). i hadn't seen it in 20 years so i was shocked to say the least. anyhoo, i don't care about the condition as I'll be restoring her back to her prime. although this thing is priceless to me for sentimental reasons, he just wants the money. to me, i'm putting this at the bottom end of the price scale as mentioned around 1000-2000. unfortunately, i think i'm going to have to wait for him to put it for sale for the $5,000 he's trying to get. once that fails, hopefully he'll come back to me. i hate dealing with family

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also, what is that attached to the windshield?
 
just did some quick searching on that slot in the windshield. it was for an anti-aircraft/anti-tank gun that was mounted on the back. that slot was there so you could lower the barrel into it for transportation. anyone ever seen this before? i'm getting excited about it now
 
Yes that is correct.Also their is a large steel plate just forward of rear differential for the machine gun mount.The jeeps we had in the National Guard
had the 30 caliber machine guns.Frame is also fishplated(reinforced)hence
the statement about being heavy.Jeep looks OK to me.Nothing that can't be
repaired.The correct lights and switches should be available on the surplus
market.Dealing with family can be stressful to say the least. Good luck,mike
 
That windshield "Slot" is a rariety. The M38a1 looks pretty descent overall. Id offer him closer to his asking price. $3500 and see if he bites. Maybe $4000 due to your emotional attachment.

justinfonder said:
just did some quick searching on that slot in the windshield. it was for an anti-aircraft/anti-tank gun that was mounted on the back. that slot was there so you could lower the barrel into it for transportation. anyone ever seen this before? i'm getting excited about it now
Click to expand...
 
mstar said:
Yes that is correct.Also their is a large steel plate just forward of rear differential for the machine gun mount.The jeeps we had in the National Guard
had the 30 caliber machine guns.Frame is also fishplated(reinforced)hence
the statement about being heavy.Jeep looks OK to me.Nothing that can't be
repaired.The correct lights and switches should be available on the surplus
market.Dealing with family can be stressful to say the least. Good luck,mike
Click to expand...


Thanks Mike. :chug:
 
well i was able to acquire the M38A1 for the grand total of $0! after not being able to come to agreeable terms with my cousin, my grandmother called me and told me that she had the title in hand and would be towing the jeep back to my fathers house until i could have it shipped to me. family is in South Dakota, i'm stationed in Jacksonville, FL. Apparently my cousin owed her money and she wanted me to have it. So now my search will begin for old surplus parts to make her look like an army jeep again.
 
I like the OD GREEN steering wheel:) Happy for you that things worked out. mike
 
That is awesome! Way to go Grandma.

Soon you'll have to start that resto thread.
 
justinfonder said:
well i was able to acquire the M38A1 for the grand total of $0! after not being able to come to agreeable terms with my cousin, my grandmother called me and told me that she had the title in hand and would be towing the jeep back to my fathers house until i could have it shipped to me. family is in South Dakota, i'm stationed in Jacksonville, FL. Apparently my cousin owed her money and she wanted me to have it. So now my search will begin for old surplus parts to make her look like an army jeep again.
Click to expand...

I had a CJ7 shipped from Mobile to Philly last year. The guy was out of north florida. Jeep got to me 100percent no damage and wasn't drivable. Ill see if I can't find the guys number and pass it on to you. it cost about 900 bucks. Steep but pretty low for these days.
 
justinfonder said:
well i was able to acquire the M38A1 for the grand total of $0! after not being able to come to agreeable terms with my cousin, my grandmother called me and told me that she had the title in hand and would be towing the jeep back to my fathers house until i could have it shipped to me. family is in South Dakota, i'm stationed in Jacksonville, FL. Apparently my cousin owed her money and she wanted me to have it. So now my search will begin for old surplus parts to make her look like an army jeep again.
Click to expand...

Now thats the way to update a thread like this. :cool: Cant wait to follow the build. :chug:
 
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