Position of Hood Registration Numbers

[Keith Buckley]

The serial numbers on the dash and the serial numbers on the 'patent plate' should match. Either 14722 (you said was on the frame?) or 18042 ( behind the seat) could be correct, but both are later than the 57144-13881 serial number that started Dutch Jeeps in 1957. I don't have 1958 numbers so I can't bracket it any closer. I'd guess it's a 57.

[Sarah]

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for all your help with my Hood Registration Numbers. As it is a 1957 M38A1 I have gone for a late Hood Number (2Axxxx) with the last four digits of the chassis number. Though I need to do a bit of research to confirm the chassis number, as the data plate and patent plates are different! I'll site the Registration Number 2" above the bottom of the Hood, with U.S. Army 2" above that. Both in 3" gothic text, central front to back on the hood. The Unit markings on the Bumpers in 2" text. 20" star on the front facing forward, 6" stars on the front fenders and rear sides of the Jeep. 1" TP 25 over the wheel arches.

I visited my M38A1 yesterday to drop some parts off with the guys who are doing a little welding and then respraying it. There was a bit more rust on it than we first thought, though the guys are very good and have cut the rotted bits out (left & right side at the bottom, below the windshield and behind the passenger and drivers seats) and welded new sections in. Hope to have it all finished for the end of May where there is a vehicle rally which we hope to attend. Hope to get it all kitted out with a radio and Vietnam kit for the War & Peace show at Beltring in July.

Thanks again,

Sarah

[Cuz]

Hello Sarah,
In most cases where you find a tub with a dash serial that does not match the wheel house patent plate the patent plate is usually the correct number. When tubs get swapped about the new owners usually are unaware of the hidden patent plate and only transfer the dash plate from the old tub to the new. In other cases a person buys a jeep and has no serial for it, so without knowing about the patent plate the person buys a used dash serial plate.

[muttguru]

Hi Cuz,

As the vast majority of M38A1's in England are ex-NEKAF, we wanted to be a bit different and revert it back to a US Army look. That's why we are after an appropriate US Army Registration.
Regards, Sarah

Sarah, I have a photo showing several late-model M38A1s. The hood numbers are in the 2G and 2H range, which would place these as being delivered in 1965. If you use this numbering system, please note what CUZ said earlier and make sure that the number is not used for deception of future buyers or researchers.....

Hope this helps...

[NEKAF4EVER]

Hi Sarah,

I have seen several M38A1's in the Royal Netherlands Army that have different chassis numbers on the patent plate and chassis, especially in case of a polyester front floor. It seems that they often fixed bodies to chassis as soon as a newly restored pair was available. Enjoy the military movie "overal overall" on YouTube with great Nekaf pictures!

I did some history research on your vehicle and here is some info about the nearest chassis numbers that I have found (including their former military registration numbers:

MD14720 1957 KP-98-15
MD14722 1957 *********** UK see: MD18042 engine nr. MD113582
MD14729 1957 KP-98-06

MD18039 1960 KR-57-98
MD18042 1960 *********** see: MD14722
MD18043 1960 KR-57-89

Engine nr. MD113582 belongs to a 1957 Nekaf and could be the original engine of MD14722.


Regards,

Harold Bergers
the Netherlands

[NEKAF4EVER]

MD14722 used to have military registration number KX-63-08 (Royal Netherlands Army)