Looking at a M38a1 Today

[jeeplvr247]

I am going to look at a '52 M38a1 today. The body is pretty rough and someone has added a roll bar and brush guard, I am guessing that it was a fire department at some point in its life. It runs and drives and I believe that it has the original drivetrain. I have had some dealings with CJs but this will be my first military jeep if I get it. How much is it worth running but with a bad body?

 

[clinto]

It all depends how much of the vehicle is there. They are usually missing all sorts of their stuff like the correct carb, shackles, pintle, top bows and hardware, correct wheels, jerry can mount, spare tire holder, etc.

However, if the body is trashed, even if everything is there I think I'd be hard pressed to pay more than maybe $1K for it.

Because if the tub is trashed, you either have to spend the rest of your life (metaphorically) fixing it or buy a repro tub, which isn't cheap and will drive down the vehicle's resale value post restoration.

 

[jeeplvr247]

Thanks for the advise, It looks like a lot of the stuff is missing so I will probably pass on this one