I am going to look at a auction for a m38. The normal area for data plates is completely blank with a large round (heater?) Hole. Not the normal many holes for data plates. Assuming that the data plates were mounted to a large plate. I have not been able to physically get eyes on it yet to look on the passenger wheel well. I do see a reg number on some photos I do have 20910445. Does that give any ideas to date this jeep. I know more after the auction
Rob
Latest M38 nube
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RonD2
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- Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 6:00 pm
- Location: South Carolina, Dorchester County
Hi Rob,
The change from data plates screwed individually on the dash to a master plate for them happened September 1951 with serial number MC34347. Last M38 was off the line about July 1952. See page 173 of the M38 Reference Guidebook (if you get the M38 you need one).
If you're real lucky, the patent plate on the front slope of the passenger wheel well is still there with a serial number after MC34347. What serial number is on the title? The motor serial number (if a correct motor for M38) is on a boss just above the water pump, and should have prefix MC or RMC followed by 5 or 6 numbers (MCXXXXX or RMCXXXXXX). Any other combination on the motor boss isn't a M38 block. And the motor serial number will NOT match the dash or patent plates.
There's quite a few other tell-tale signs to help zero-in on whether it's an early or late M38. Your U.S. Army hood registration number 20910445 might help, but only if you're certain it's original. Not many are.
Hope this helps. Take us some good photos. Good luck!
The change from data plates screwed individually on the dash to a master plate for them happened September 1951 with serial number MC34347. Last M38 was off the line about July 1952. See page 173 of the M38 Reference Guidebook (if you get the M38 you need one).
If you're real lucky, the patent plate on the front slope of the passenger wheel well is still there with a serial number after MC34347. What serial number is on the title? The motor serial number (if a correct motor for M38) is on a boss just above the water pump, and should have prefix MC or RMC followed by 5 or 6 numbers (MCXXXXX or RMCXXXXXX). Any other combination on the motor boss isn't a M38 block. And the motor serial number will NOT match the dash or patent plates.
There's quite a few other tell-tale signs to help zero-in on whether it's an early or late M38. Your U.S. Army hood registration number 20910445 might help, but only if you're certain it's original. Not many are.
Hope this helps. Take us some good photos. Good luck!
Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51
“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51
“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari
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rml1708
- Member
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- Joined: Sat Apr 30, 2011 6:00 pm
- Location: Pacific, WA
Thanks for the quick reply.. I have the reference guide. I am partially m38 literate as I have a 1942 GPW and a 1952 M38a1. So I am kinda looking to fill that gap. I don't think there is any title as it is a towing company auction from sort of land sale. It was on some land the new owner had cleared and the towing company towed it off the land. The Reg number is what on the hood and it's over the top of another number. Can't tell if it's the same number underneath. I will know more soon.
Rob
Rob