Chance Phonecall

[Keith Orpin]

Quote from Ian,

SO Keith,

We are waiting on some photos of the MB.

All in good time, but just to keep you interested, here are four pictures taken last weekend. You'll just have to wait for other pictures, as and when I start a new thread.
So far, with the help of several books and another MLU member (Mr Ashby) we have come up with the following:
Chassis No MB 125287, D of D + or - 1 day = 5th March 1942
Body No 20613, AMC1 body, Mid Feb 1942 (my attempt to photograph this number on the front body stantion, was a complete disaster!, but I will perservere).
So, she just misses out on being a slat grill. I 've also since discovered that someone has removed the glovebox from her at some stage , so that will have to be rectified, along with the fuel tank guard, which should have rounded corners. The steering box feels good, and I think I'm right in saying that the Ross steering box was also used on the MA, which makes sense on an early MB.
Over to you Ian
Keith

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by Keith Orpin

Quote from Ian,

SO Keith,

We are waiting on some photos of the MB.

All in good time, but just to keep you interested, here are four pictures taken last weekend. You'll just have to wait for other pictures, as and when I start a new thread.
So far, with the help of several books and another MLU member (Mr Ashby) we have come up with the following:
Chassis No MB 125287, D of D + or - 1 day = 5th March 1942
Body No 20613, AMC1 body, Mid Feb 1942 (my attempt to photograph this number on the front body stantion, was a complete disaster!, but I will perservere).
So, she just misses out on being a slat grill. I 've also since discovered that someone has removed the glovebox from her at some stage , so that will have to be rectified, along with the fuel tank guard, which should have rounded corners. The steering box feels good, and I think I'm right in saying that the Ross steering box was also used on the MA, which makes sense on an early MB.
Over to you Ian
Keith

Hi Keith

Going by your Chassis numbers. MB 125287 the range between 108599 to 200022 was the range of 91,424 vehicles manufactured in 1942. It confirms yours was produced early in 1942. My Jeep, Chassis number. MB 163331 came off the production line on the 04th August 1942. Willys started production of the MB from October 1941 to late 1945. your vehicle body is looking pretty good for nearly 70 years. I look forward to more progress photos, it takes me back to when I restored mine.

Cheers


Tony

[Thomas L.]

Quick question im still a Willy's noob but the front frame crossmember looks to me that your willy's should be newer than 1942 or am i worng on that. Im restoring a 42 GPW and its for sure different than that plus i just purchased a 46 cj2a and it has the same xmember than yours.

[Keith Orpin]

Hi Thomas,
Your 42 GPW (Ford) has an inverted U section front cross member (with a large F stamped on it), whereas the Willys MB has a tubular front cross member, probably the same or very similar to your 46 CJ 2a, (the postwar Hotchkiss jeep from France also has this X member, right the way upto the late 60's,as it was produced using the American Willys pressings). There are many other differences, once you start comparing the Ford to the Willys, as an example, Ford used Willys chassis during 42, due to a shortage of their own chassis.
Hope this helps
Regards
Keith

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by Thomas L.

Quick question im still a Willy's noob but the front frame crossmember looks to me that your willy's should be newer than 1942 or am i worng on that. Im restoring a 42 GPW and its for sure different than that plus i just purchased a 46 cj2a and it has the same xmember than yours.

Hi Thomas

Just to clear up your query. My "genuine" 1942 MB Willys Jeep is the same as the one Keith has. As far as I know Willys used the same cross member right through the war production and for a while afterwards.

Cheers

Tony

[sth65pac]

Hi Thomas,

I suggest you join a very useful forum G503. It covers all things Jeep and has many very well versed Jeep enthusiasts. Here's the link
http://g503.com/forums/index.php.
Willys have a round front cross-member. Ford's have a pressed U section.

Keith's earlier posts are correct.

If you're still unsure about the differences surf eBay and get the books 'All American Wonder Volumes 1&2 They describe in huge detail the Ford & Willys differences.

Ian

Originally Posted by Thomas L.

Quick question im still a Willy's noob but the front frame crossmember looks to me that your willy's should be newer than 1942 or am i worng on that. Im restoring a 42 GPW and its for sure different than that plus i just purchased a 46 cj2a and it has the same xmember than yours.

[sth65pac]

Ok Keith, FINALLY MLU is working, so As promised some pictures of my 1943 Ford Jeep.

Hope this works

[sth65pac]

A few more.. Pretty original but a bit more rusty than Keith's