M38 cdn f100574

[eaw46]

Just picked up this toy. Got it in AZ its not bad some rust but fairly clean everything but the gas gage works. Its now 12VT but I will see what I can do to fix that. The tool box floor is the only real bad rust spot I will need to fix that. I got a full canvas with it and a couple of extra side panels. Its different in some ways than my GPW but similar in some ways I guess an old Jeep is an old Jeep. Does anyone know anything about this one? Anyone know where its been in its life? Thanks Eddy

 

[NDT]

I can't answer any of your questions but I have a few of my own. What identifies this M38 as being CDN? The main data plate says "Ordnance Corps" but it appears someone riveted that on recently. Looks real good in the pictures!

 

[eaw46]

[HR][/HR]Based on the CJ-3A, the M38 used a 24 volt (2 batteries) waterproof electrical system standardized for post-war military vehicles. The M38 was built by Willys-Overland from Sept. 1950 to July 1952 (see below for production by Ford Canada). The Army’s new requirements, including a higher weight capacity, added many pounds to the vehicle and the old Willys 60 HP flat head engine did not provide adequate power and required a 5.38 axle ratio (vs MB's 4.8 . At the end of 1952, the need of a more powerful engine led to the M38A1 with rounded fenders and high hood to accommodate the F-head engine (72 HP at 6.9/1 compression or 75 HP at 7.5/1, also used in the 1953 CJ-3B and by 1955, in the CJ-5 which retained the M38A1 battery cover on passenger side cowl and snorkel cut-out up to 1965).

During the Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953), all the M38 produced by Willys, Toledo (Ohio), were going to the U.S. army (~ 45500); Willys was simultaneously producing a large number of civilians Jeep. On 29 September 1951, Willys-Overland announced an agreement with the Canadian Government and Ford Motor Company of Canada for production of military Jeeps (M38 CDN) in Windsor, Canada, Willys-Overland supplying parts. For early line assembly start up, Ford assembled about fifty M38 CDN at the end of 1951 from parts already available at Willys and a total of 2135 by the end of November 1952. After the introduction of the M38A1, Willys made 6800 additional M38 for exportation, up to 1955.

There is a lot of speculation on Internet about the M38 CDN. Here are some facts:

1- FORD OF CANADA HERITAGE: "Exclusive & Exciting Cars & Trucks Built by Ford of Canada"
"Even after the war, Ford of Canada filled a large order of military Jeeps. Production took place in late 1951 through 1955. Built under license from Willys, they were known as M-38 Ford trucks. During 1952, a total of 2438 were made. (2135 M38 + 303 M38A1 CDN; see Brian note below)
In 1953 Willys-Overland was purchased by Kaiser. Also that year some styling changes were made. The new Jeeps looked a bit more rounded, and the model designation was changed to M-38-A1. Of interest in those pre Auto Pact days was the fact that these postwar Canadian-made Jeep were shipped to the United States, for the American military forces. "

2- Upon receipt, the Canadian Army stamped a CAR number on top of left front frame rail near front bumper (Canadian Army Registration): 51–30xxx but mostly 52-3xxxx.

3- Gaétan J. Gagnon owns a M38 CDN correctly stamped with CAR 51-30035, documented since 1967 (it could not have been tampered with) and mostly stock. So at least 35 were made in 1951 and less than 127 since this is the smallest CAR number known of M38 CDN made in 1952. Some M38 reported with stenciled 51-33xxx are from USAF Radar bases in Canada (during cold war with USSR). The agreement of 29 sept. 1951 was made because Willys could not assemble more than those sold to the US Army who needed them and Willys could certainly not make 3000 more at the end of 1951.

4- Article often cited on Internet as reference (good but incomplete, see other facts): Extract from an article by Robert Grieve published in the OMVA CMP Magazine Issue No. 13, May 1996: Some items to note about Canadian M38 production:
All Canadian M38's were assembled by Ford Motor Company of Canada in Windsor, Ontario, from February to November 1952. The average cost per M38 was $2600 (the first contract of 840 vehicles cost $2807 per vehicle). All vehicles where shipped from Windsor to Hagersville, Ontario to be inspected and put into military service. The last vehicle produced by Ford was serial number F102135 and it was delivered on 27 November 1952 (as researched at Ford by Peter Simundson).
Winches where installed and delivered on a separate purchase order program by Ramsey Winch Co.
All M38's were equipped with a convoy lamp installed as a field modification that was done upon receipt by RCEME [Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers].
Vehicles shipped by rail transport had eight tie downs installed on the frame. Vehicles shipped overseas to Norway or Cyprus had eight tie downs on the frame and also has hold down rings installed to the four spring shackle plates.

5- From Brian Asbury 2015-01-21: I have seen a photocopy of a Month-End Serial Number Report for Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. The section titled "1952 - - M38 Production - (Month-end)" has month-end serial numbers: January F-100100. February F-100234. March F-100399. April F-100682. May F-100997. June F-101247. July F-101632. August F-101764. September F-101935. October F-102051. November F-102135 - End of M38-11/27/52. F-200041 - M38A1 - 11/28/52. For December there are handwritten notes: 750 Jobs - Built Dec. 1952 and Jan. 1953. See Jan. 1953 Records. Last 224 Jobs with short dipstick."
I think that the 2438 vehicles made in 1952 were not all "M38 Ford trucks". There were only 2135 M38's made from January to November 1952 (none in December). I believe that the "2438" total in the article lumps in 303 M38A1's that would have been made in Nov. and Dec. 1952 with the balance of the Dec+Jan published total of 750, being made in January 1953.