EXCLUSIVE: Nathan’s 1948 Willys M38

We featured Nathan’s 1948 Willys M38 back in February of 2016, you can read the original story here. At that time, it was pretty rough, but after considerable work he has it looking good again. I’m impressed with how quickly he was able to fully restore it, but I guess these are fairly simple rigs. Sadly, he’s decided it’s time to part ways with it and thought he would give the BF community first dibs! He’s asking $18,000 or best offer and it can be found in Jacksonville, Florida. If you are interested in making him an offer or have any questions for him, please use the form below to contact him.

Completely restored Willys M38, riding in 48 2A chassis (12v electrical). Every mechanical system on the vehicle has been completely overhauled or replaced with new parts including: radiator and cooling system, brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust, fuel system, transmission, electrical system, gauges and lights, frame repair, complete interior and significant bodywork.

Previous to me, it was used in a national forest as a hunting vehicle for 20+ years. I purchased it in January of 2016 and have been restoring it for the last 18 months. It was featured on Barn Finds last February. It was also on display at the Amelia Island Concours Cars and Coffee show in March of 2017.

Overall condition is very good and it runs well (engine rebuilt by the previous owner) with no overheating issues and good oil pressure. Steers, shifts and stops great.

Outstanding things to be completed: horn and parking brake assembly missing, speedometer cable drive needs work (new cable included), and there is no sending unit for the fuel gauge, but gauge is new. Significant photos of restoration are available.

It’s awesome to see Nathan’s Jeep now that it is done and back on the road! I want to thank him for sharing his find and for listing it with us. If you happen to have an interesting find, for sale or not, we would love to hear about it! And if it is for sale, please consider listing it with us.

Asking Price: $18,000 OBO
Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Contact The Seller

Comments

  1. Avatar JW

    Very nice, hope he gets what he wants for the great work he performed bringing it back to it’s former glory.

    Like 0
  2. HoA Howard A Member

    Nathan did an outstanding job on this, we owe a lot to these little buggers. Not to take anything away from him, I could never do a restoration like this, but these aren’t exactly a ’62 Imperial to restore, they are pretty simple. Again, these looked like this once, when they came in the crate off the boat, and sadly, many were blown to smithereens. Pics like this freak me out. They built one every minute, 7 days a week, 3 shifts, non-stop for 4 years. WOW! What stories these Jeeps could tell.
    http://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9b/ee/bd/9beebddb6cf5e7fd568601175686fa53.jpg

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Bob Morgan

    There were no M-38’s made in 1948.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Nathan Renstrom

      Hey Bob- It’s an M38 (tub, hood, fenders, windshield) on 48 2A running gear. It’s just simplere to say 48 (as the title does), when listing. Enjoy!

      Like 0
  4. Avatar John H

    Nice work, Nathan! Your turnaround time is impressive.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Doug Towsley

    one of my favorite artists

    Like 0
  6. Avatar James

    Call a spade a spade…….Call a 1948 CJ2A a 1948 CJ2A……You can top hat whatever WWII or Korean War repro-body you want it’s a still a 2A.
    Call a fake a military Jeep a fake military Jeep. M38’s weren’t even made in ’48.
    It’s a nice usable Jeep but worth $7,500. at most. Not a piece of Americana or Militaria ….. just another mismatched put together Franken-Jeep. For the price he’s asking you can get a real nice authentic military Jeep
    I like things pure and represented honestly.

    Like 1

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