TECH TIPS

EARLY OR LATE?

I have a chance to buy an M38A1. It has been stored for many years and seems to be in very good condition. This will be my first military vehicle, and I want to restore it correctly.

The seller says it is an “early model.” I don’t know much about these vehicles yet, but I thought most jeeps were the same except for the style, like MB, M38, etc.

Is there a way to tell if this is really an early model? — Steve Brown

Most military vehicles that were in production for a fairly long time had modifications or updates. Some of these changes are subtle and not easily spotted except by experienced eyes... such as the style of transmission/transfer case skid plates on WWII jeeps. Other production changes are obvious, such as the front fender differences between M151s and M151A2s.

In the case of the M38A1, early production models generally had hinges on the bottom of the grille so the grille could be folded forward for engine replacement. Many early models also had the cowl battery box cover secured by thumb-screws.

Later production models did not have a hinged grille and had metal straps to hold the battery cover