To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Arizona
event, 17 - 18 January 2019.
Estimate:
$40,000 - $50,000
- Portion of the proceeds to benefit military charity
- Ground-up restoration by expert collectors
- Loaded with period accessories and paraphernalia
- An authentic Korean War-era Willys M38
The military role of the versatile and reliable Jeep is legendary
and spawned a line of products still in production 75 years later
by the corporate successors to the original Willys-Overland concern
that produced them. Between the end of World War II in 1945 and the
beginning of the Korean War in 1950, Willys had been constructing
new �civilian' Jeeps called CJ-2As, followed by the CJ-3As.
Willys began reviving its military Jeep production for the Korean
War by upgrading the CJ-3A with water-fording abilities for the
Marine Corps, designated CJ-V35/U, from March to June 1950.
Additional changes made included a one-piece windshield,
conventional wipers, larger headlights, and a more durable rear
axle among other improvements. This military-grade model was
identified as the M38 with production beginning in September 1950.
Willys built over 60,000 M38s for deployment, and naturally Jeeps
were once again in the thick of battle.
This 1952 Jeep M38, from its final year of production, was subject
to a ground-up restoration by a well-known father and son team,
once known for their meticulous restorations of Rolls-Royce
automobiles but since focusing on the preservation of military
vehicles, achieving national recognition for these efforts since
the late '80s. The standard of authenticity on this 45th Infantry
Thunderbird Division example is breathtaking, with a correctly
detailed engine bay and chassis as well as an impressive host of
accessory features, including the following:
• �Ma Deuce' M2 50-caliber machine gun, equipped with a simulated
firing mechanism (producing realistic flame blasts with appropriate
sound)
• Two M1 Garand training rifles (used for demonstration of
loading/unloading and cleaning)
• Several machetes, bayonets, helmets, side-mounted axe and shovel,
and various accessories
• A number of dormant grenades and ammo
• Two �Jerry' cans, various ammo cans, and G.I. duffel bags
• Tool bag, footlocker, 48-star American flag, U.S. Army flag, and
more
Interestingly, a distressed Korean flag was discovered under the
rear seat at the time of restoration, dated 1953, and is also
included with the Jeep. And finally are the three 50-caliber bullet
holes found on the vehicle. Two were filled in during the
restoration, but one was intentionally left as found for display
purposes, above the driver's side rear fender well.
This historically significant M38 Jeep is a rare and unusual find,
a perfect complement to any display of American military history,
whether for a museum or private collection or use as a parade
vehicle.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19.
