M38 CDN information

[James "Jim" Patterson]

Hi guys,

Firstly thanks for letting me join your forum.

My names Jim and live in Sunny (or not so) Manchester England

I've owned my M38 for about 10 years now and am looking to do some research to its origins.

when i first bought the jeep it came as a right mess. it was in Greek army camouflage and the engine was in the back under a tarp.

I'll dig out some old pics and post them when i get time over the weekend.

Anyways as my first restoration it was a bit daunting but took it on.
i must say i didn't do it alone i had 2 very good friends of mine helping along the way.

Nether the less she was ready after a year of hard work she started up and i drove her to the test centre for inspection.

With no problems there i quickly got my registration plate and started enjoying my M38.

Its worth pointing out that M38 jeeps over in the UK and kind of looked on as the post war mongrel to the much sort after MB and GPW.
But i loved it and thats all that mattered.

So to the best of my knowledge it was just a run of the mill standard M38 from the US, but my Friend Graham (who also owns a very nice M38) noticed that the chassis number didn't look right to his.

This brought up lots of possibility's, was it a CJ? or something else???

so we never really got to the end of why it was different and just forgot about it.

I recently read something about M38's which made me think.

It was about the M38 CDN jeeps which i believe were built by ford of Canada?

I've read the posts on this forum and its looking very promising that my jeep is an M38 CDN and i believe the "Chassis Number" isn't actually a chassis number at all but a CAR number if thats right?

The number is on the passenger side front end of the chassis towards the bumper and is 31772.

I'm having to wrap this message up now as i'm heading off to work but it would be great to hear some feedback about what else i can look for to help me identify this vehicle.

Oh one more thing ...... the tool box under the seat has JEEP in script pressed in the steel.

Don't know if this means anything but hopefully someone will know.

pics will follow when i get down to my workshop over weekend

once again guys thanks for the add to this group and look forward to discussing this topic with you all.

Thanks
Jim

[maple_leaf_eh]

Welcome aboard!

[Owen Evans]

Originally Posted by James "Jim" Patterson

when i first bought the jeep it came as a right mess.

Hah, my M38 (a US-built one) came as two loads in the back of a Ford transit from darkest Bolton!

Looking forward to seeing your photos. An M38CDN is rare in the UK; most are US or Greek imports, or (like mine) ex-US Air Force surplused out in the late 1950's.

Welcome to the forum!

Owen.

[James P]

OP (post 1), M38 CDN jeeps which i believe were built by ford of Canada?

Built by, is different then assembled by.

[BCA]

Jim: The 31772 you report is on the right side and is not prefixed by the year (52-). The CFR/CAR is always on the top of the left frame between the grill and the front bumper. Maybe the original frame was replaced or the left fame rail was was damaged and an abbreviated version of the CFR number was stamped where you find it on the right side? It could possibly be the final 5 digits of a CFR number 52-31772 which would match the pattern of CFR numbers. Other M38CDN jeeps have been reported with 52-31770, 52-31771 and 52-31773. So look for other clues to it being a Ford Canadian M38: the presence of a convoy light switch below and left of the master light switch, a convoy light on the rear right frame, the use of hex head sheet metal screws to hold the PTO lever cover plate and the transfer case shift boot retainer plate (US M38's were slot or Phillips head). The presence of the reinforcing patches on the upper rear left and right corners of the body (these were added to all Canadian bodies. They were a field mod. for US bodies so not always present). The wheels may be marked Kelsey Canada without the small hole. I am assuming that all the dashboard data plates are missing and that there is no serial/"patent" plate on the well housing behind the passenger seat. ………… Brian

[Al Nickolson]

My 1952 M38CDN CFR 52-31773, delivery date 8-27-52, Serial Number F101692.
My tool box under the front passage seat doesn't have jeep.

Check your frame for additional hole or tie down brackets.
Photos attached of Reg Hodgson's M38CDN 52-30303. I've been told that M38CDN that were ship overseas had these extra tie downs.

[Al Nickolson]

Photo of M38CDN Canadian Provost Corp at Soest, Germany early 1960's.
Cold War Jeep.

[Owen Evans]

Originally Posted by Al Nickolson

My tool box under the front passage seat doesn't have jeep.

All the US-built ones have "jeep" stamped into the front panel of the toolbox. I seem to recall that only the first 500 (approx.) Ford-assembled M38CDN's had this; later units were blank. Others will be able to confirm the accuracy of that figure.

Owen.