M38 registration number

[Jeff Jensen]

Hello all
I have M38 serial number 56500 and would like to know the registration number if possible.
Thank Jeff

[dpcd67]

Go to Willys M Jeeps web site. They have a data base of M38s. Interpolate one from that. Be advised that some guys will tell you to never make up a Registration number, but rather, use your telephone number. I say that is total nonsense and hogwash; I do it all the time. (And it is de rigeur for WW2 jeep restorations)
They are afraid that some future researcher will think it is original. Who cares? Internal combustion engines will be banned before that happens.

[dclakerat]

mine has had someone before me put the vin. with a mc in front. just saying

[Ron D]

Thanks to Uncle Sam, a VIN is now 17 characters (letters and numbers) long.
Has been since 1981.
Anything else is a serial number.

Somebody put a "MC" in front of a 17 character VIN?
Obviously phony.

"MC" is the Willys model designation used for the M38.
M38 serial numbers (engines and body tags) are prefixed with "MC" followed by 5 serial numbers, MC10001 to about MC72000 (nobody knows the last one). Engines and body won't have the same serial number --- that's just how they came off the assembly line.

Willys made jeep models MA (pre-WW2), MB (WW2), MC (M38), MD (M38A1), and MD-A (M170).

"Registration number" refers to the Army-assigned vehicle number painted on both sides of the hood. No relationship whatsoever to the serial number stamped on the data plates.

Buy a copy of the M38 Reference Guide and a set of Army tech manuals.

Good luck!

[eaw46]

The Canadian Forces used the year of the Vehicle followed by up to 5 Digits of the Sir # of the unit. This remained common until the Change to the 17 Digit Vin Number. This was even on the Licence Plate.

Different truck plate.

[dclakerat]

I thought i would post my M38 vin? MC 62915 who ever went through it ,i'd guess in mid eighties painted th mc number on the hood.they did a real good job.in my humble opinion. But someone got in theyard where it was picked it up with a forklift and dropped the poor little thing. It had been sitting i think since 06. But it running again. It still needs a windshield glass

[Ron D]

Hi dclakerat,
Like mentioned above, MC 62915 isn't a "VIN", it's the M38 serial number assigned by Willys at the factory.
It's stamped on the dash data plate and the Patent Plate on the front side of the passenger wheel well.

That serial number won't match the engine serial number, also assigned by Willys at the factory (MCxxxxxx or RMCxxxxxx) --- found on the engine block on the boss above the water pump.

And it's not the Army registration number (painted on both sides of the hood).

Depending on your state, a 17-character "VIN" (Vehicle Identification Number) is used by the government to identify a motor vehicle for title, registration, and license plate purposes.

Glad to hear it's running!

Good luck!

[dpcd67]

We need to hold a class with Three topics:
What is a:
1. Serial Number
2. Registration Number
3. VIN
Most guys here do not know the difference; yet they are Vital to MV ownership. Practically, and sometimes, legally.

[Radtech]

In Texas MC10675 is the vin number on my M38.

[dpcd67]

That is not a VIN. They have specific and standard information. Texas uses it in place of one, but it, as it stands, is a Serial Number. Assuming your M38 serial number is 10675.
Now you can call it a "vehicle ID number", but it does not fall into the format of the true and standardized VIN as established in 1981 and each position has a meaning.

[Ron D]

Wow, that's a low serial number early M38.......675 off the factory assemble line, probably made 1950.

Uncle Sam uses some of our tax dollars to maintain a VIN data base where you can plug in your 17-character VIN and see what Uncle says you have.
Here: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vin-decoder

[Radtech]

The factory serial number of my Dec 1950 M38 is MC10675 as well as the VIN number on my Texas title.

[Radtech]

Original registration number 2365481

[Ron D]

The M38 Reference Guide has information and photos about the first six M38's (called "pilot models"), serial numbers MC10001 through MC10006, with hood registration numbers 2368159 through 2368164.

It also shows a civilian advertisement for elastic stop nuts that has a photo of an M38 with hood registration number 2366178.

[Radtech]

Registration numbers were not issued in order every time.Registration numbers were issued in lots according to where the vehicle was to be shipped.It also had been stencilled as treated for overseas shipment in 12-50 and the manufacture dates on the transmission and axles is 12-50.The vehicle part number has also been overstamped with the part number for a M38 with a winch.