Canadian M38A1

AUSM38A1 · #1 26-12-09, 02:53

Gday my name is mick broomfield i live near Dubbo n.s.w Australia and i have acquired an M38A1 which i believe is Canadian.Its in pretty good shape being road registered here in 2008.I'm trying to find out some info on it.The jeep has numbers stamped on the drivers side chassis rail behind the front bumper which are 53-32631 and it looks like the 1 on the end has been stamped over a 0.It also has a light over the rear diff and a switch on the dash marked convoy light and head light protectors but the data plates on the dash look like repros and they say it was built by willys and has a serial number and a build date of 52 which i think is wrong so would anyone know what the data plate should look like for a ford built m38a1 and if anyone reproducers them.The jeep has rebuilt tags rivited on top of each diff saying recme?10/71 I do have the Canada weapons of war book on the m38a1 thanks in advance for any information it will be really appreciated cheers mick

Scott Bentley · #2 26-12-09, 03:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUSM38A1

Gday my name is mick broomfield i live near Dubbo n.s.w Australia and i have acquired an M38A1 which i believe is Canadian.Its in pretty good shape being road registered here in 2008.I'm trying to find out some info on it.The jeep has numbers stamped on the drivers side chassis rail behind the front bumper which are 53-32631 and it looks like the 1 on the end has been stamped over a 0.It also has a light over the rear diff and a switch on the dash marked convoy light and head light protectors but the data plates on the dash look like repros and they say it was built by willys and has a serial number and a build date of 52 which i think is wrong so would anyone know what the data plate should look like for a ford built m38a1 and if anyone reproducers them.The jeep has rebuilt tags rivited on top of each diff saying recme?10/71 I do have the Canada weapons of war book on the m38a1 thanks in advance for any information it will be really appreciated cheers mick

While i'm no M38A1 expert, my 67 Pattern did not come with the "Convoy Light", and from what I understand, neither did the later ones, so i'd say you most likely have a 53 on your hands.

Another quick 53 identifier is the Battery Box cover which would have had bolts/thumb screws holding it down rather than the Latch and Hinge on the later ones.

Head Lamp protectors are regular fare for all the Canadian 38A1s.

Scotty

jim fraser (RIP) · #3 26-12-09, 04:10

hi mick.sounds like you have a 53 ford m38a1.brian asbury i believe had some data plates.the canadian serial no started with a f and then the serial no.brians no is 519 853 1738 .there was app.700 53 ford of canada jeeps produced.you def, have a cfr no on the left front frame horn.regards jim fraser .

NORTH-SHORE(CANADA) · #4 26-12-09, 12:31

Hi
Here is the data plate made in january 1953 and CDN

If you need number etc.. let me know or a pic

AUSM38A1 · #5 27-12-09, 04:32

Thanks heaps for the replies guys,that's correct it has the 8 thumb screws on the battery box i can see why they changed that,two hinges holding the front grille on and seams in the side of the front guards/fenders..I would really like to get some correct data plates, Jim would you have an email address for Brian asbury it not that's ok i will try that number never called over seas before

Thanks for the photo that's great is there any where else there could be the serial number there is no plate behind the seats or can i cross reference the cfr number some how to get close to the serial number
I am currently giving it a coat of paint the original owner painted over the original green so am trying to get it back to that.. 1 of 700 wow they didn't make many and this one has ended up in Australia some how? thanks again for the help
cheers mick

jim fraser (RIP) · #6 27-12-09, 06:13

hi mike.if you look up peter symundson on this website he might be able to help with data plates.peter has been around jeeps for a lot of years.regards jim.

Jon Skagfeld · #7 27-12-09, 17:10

That's Peter SIMUNDSON.

Brian Asbury's e-mail

Comox Air Force Museum · #8 30-12-09, 07:22

Hi Guys. Hope this may help. Direct from Ford of Canada. Trucks were built from 11-28-52 till 3-24 53. Serial numbers from 200041 to 200750. I just recieved a Christmas flyer from Brian Asbury and he lists five brass Data plates for M38A1 CDN for $110.00 CDN The reason I was interested in this truck is we have one at our museum and they are very rare. The truck were delivered to 27 ORD DEP in London Ont. and sent out from there. Rob

Comox Air Force Museum · #9 03-01-10, 08:29

Checked our jeep today. Serial number 200615 CFR 53-32833. Your truck CFR 53-32631 is 202 ahead of ours. Not sure if CFR numbers were asigned in sequence the same as serial numbers, but hope this helps. Also our build date is 3-24-53 the last day of production acording to Ford. Rob

AUSM38A1 · #10 07-01-10, 12:30

Thanks every one I emailed Brian and he got back to me i have ordered a set of data plates and Rob that has helped me alot knowing more of the build history of these jeeps and i had a look at your jeep on the museum web site looks great so is the build date also stamped on the data plate?Sorry i just had a better look and i see there is a place for the delivery date
cheers mick

Comox Air Force Museum · #11 08-01-10, 06:14

Mick. If you like, I can take a close up shot of the data plates. That way you can stamp them the same as original. Any pictures of your truck for us to see. Rob

Col Tigwell · #12 09-01-10, 00:35

All this is very interesting, but the interesting question is, how did this jeep end up in Australia.

I well remember that when the Australian Army bought an aerial delivery training kit, it came complete with a LHD US Army jeep, could have been the same as yours.

After countless airdrops out of a C130, there was a malfunction the extraction chute, which after the load leaves the airplane, drags the main chute bags off and allows the main chute to deploy.

The chute did not deploy and many pieces of jeep returned to the base and was a total write off so it cannot be that one.

We were given a later jeep to use in Vietnam and the US army did not want it back when we were done, so we gave it to the airport guys, so it cannot be that one.

To my knowledge the army never used jeeps after the 50's.

Must be an inresting one.

Regards

Col

wingnut · #13 20-01-10, 22:05

Hi.I am new to this to this forum but thought this info may be of some interest.I have a restored 44 g.p.w. and a 51 m 38. in kit form.However i have along time friend who has a c.d.n. m38a1.The serial no is F-200578 del date 2-53 model m38a1 ordance code 2230 contract demand no lv600 army.My mate has owned it about 12 years he's the fourth civilian owner.He has been told it was bought from burtonwood u.s. army base that used to be about twenty miles away from our town bolton lancashire.Why the u.s.army would have a c.d.n. jeep we don't know.The jeep is in very good original condition but sadly has not been on the road for over ten years due to work commitments but it is planned to put it on the road this coming summer.

Bernard.

jim fraser (RIP) · #14 21-01-10, 06:16

hi.amazing.where are you.such a small prod no and they show up all over the world.regards jim.

wingnut · #15 21-01-10, 22:51

Hi.thanks for your interest. We are located in the u.k.

Regards Bernard.

AUSM38A1 · #16 10-02-10, 06:38

Well i got it passed for road registration today which is fairly hard over here so im very happy... here are some photos it was 110km round trip to town it went very well it doesnt get along to bad and i put some new batteries init the other day i had been cranking it up until then it starts very easy with a few cranks does anyone know if they should have a crank handle and if so where it should be stored in the jeep
cheers mick