USA Serial number monthly range question

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
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AFM38A1
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USA Serial number monthly range question

Post by AFM38A1 » Mon Nov 15, 2021 3:59 pm

I can't seem to find the monthly list of Serials.
My M38A1 has a serial of 82551 with a delivery date (per the dash tag) of March 1955.
Does that look right?

And I know it's a longshot, but does anyone have a rough idea of Army registration numbers for that timeframe?

No old paint markings to go by, so I'll probably do 55K2551 for an USAF paint job.
M38A1 MD 82551. Built 3/1955. Purchased in Nov. 2021.
Former owner/restorer of 1977 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade Levis Edition.
All stock w/factory V-8. Used as a daily driver for 7 years.


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Re: USA Serial number monthly range question

Post by jnissen » Thu Dec 02, 2021 4:55 pm

That seems about right. I made up my own hood numbers as the original was not visible. Went with a 209 then the number on the patent plate. Our title had an engine number for the VIN.

BTW our engine in the 1955 was MD85578 but did not match the patent plate. Once we registered it we had repro plates created with the registered engine number and updated the patent plate to match. So the hood number is in honor of that barely visible original patent plate


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Jim Nissen
1955 M38A1
Patent Plate MD74784
Engine Plate MD85578
BS Hood Number 20974784

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Re: USA Serial number monthly range question

Post by AFM38A1 » Fri Dec 03, 2021 7:21 pm

UPDATE...
I've been told the Army Serial range would be somewhere in the 2A-48XX range.

When I can get the patent number (it's currently wrapped up while waiting it's turn in the restoration shop) I'll know more, but I understand the chassis and engine numbers are correct for the build date...as close to "matching numbers" (as sought after in the collector car world to prove the car has the components it was built with...anything else is a demerit) as an ancient Willys without a build sheet is likely to get.
M38A1 MD 82551. Built 3/1955. Purchased in Nov. 2021.
Former owner/restorer of 1977 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade Levis Edition.
All stock w/factory V-8. Used as a daily driver for 7 years.

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Re: USA Serial number monthly range question

Post by m-11 » Sat Dec 04, 2021 4:48 am

Mine is 3/54 S/N 73075. The hood number is 2A7442. This jeep was done by someone else so I don't know if the hood number is original

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Re: USA Serial number monthly range question

Post by AFM38A1 » Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:22 pm

So with mine being 82551...it seems they produced 9,500 between 3/54 and 3/55.
Elsewhere I have read they produced 50 a day...which would be 12,500 a year.

If I could get a confirmed good number from a unit reasonably close Willys serial, I could make a good guess.
But that's just put of curiosity since I'm putting an AF number on it.
M38A1 MD 82551. Built 3/1955. Purchased in Nov. 2021.
Former owner/restorer of 1977 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade Levis Edition.
All stock w/factory V-8. Used as a daily driver for 7 years.


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