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243988 what would be the serial number range for this Jeep and date of delivery? If anyone can tell me how I will research it myself. Thanks Jeff

Anybody got an Idea?

I've never seen a 7 digit jeep hood number that wasn't a 236XXXX or 238XXXX series on an M38. 243XXXX is very unusual. There are no 243XXXX hood #'s in our M38 Database.If they exist they would be somewhere between MC15767 Apr 51 and MC20360 May 1951.

I'm sorry Wes it's on a m38a1.

Hood numbers are issued on a calendar basis. There were no 7 digit hood numbers on M38A1's at all. The last of the 7 digit numbers were used in May 1951. The first M38A1 was built in June 1952. It would have came with a 8 digit hood number.

Someone threw that number on your A1's hood just to have a number.

Is you M38A1's Willys Patent plate behind the passenger seat on the front of the right rear wheel house missing?

Ok I guess either it's a made up number or there is another number hidden under the paint. I've bought the jeep and havent picked it up yet only looking at a picture.

Original contracted hood numbers were painted on at the factory. The lowest hood number your M38A1 could have left Willys with is 209XXXXX. Some civilian painted those numbers on it. They were probably contrived or the ones he had on a different vehicle he had driven while in the military.

Is you M38A1's Willys Patent plate behind the passenger seat on the front of the right rear wheel house missing?

Yes the patent plate and data plates are missing it's a late frame so I know it's not an early Jeep. Thanks Wes I was just curious it appears to be made around the same time as mine as close as I can tell.

You can still date it if you carefully record component assembly dates. The M38A1 survey form we use ID's which components and asks for those dates. Usually the dates on the axle tubes help the most.

Jeff,
Could the M38A1 be a Marine Corps A1? They used a 6 digit number.

I guess anything is possible or the hood could have been swapped from another Jeep that was. I haven't gotten a good look at the Jeep all over yet just in picture so maybe.

After looking closer at the pictures I think the Jeep isn't a Marine Jeep but who knows if the hood is original or not.

Could that be an A instead of a 4?
2A vs 24?

2A3988?

After looking I think you are right I think it's an A. What does that tell you?