1942 BRT Slat Grill Jeep 121229 Recovered

[70th Division]

Hello,

Thanks GSS !

I wanted to share what I found with this slat grill jeep, and this is what this jeep has to offer to anyone who is looking for answers, to any particular questions they might have.

I have several jeeps, and another slat grill that has no glove box.
That slat jeep has its original paint under the "rebuild" repaint from Moore Equipment Co in California. It, and the paint, are actually in incredible shape. The paint is a darker shade of olive green and the overlaying paint I can chip off with razor blade scraper.
I will try to restore that jeep mainly by removing the multiple layers of paint.
But the base coat is really something, and pretty darn good shape.
It just takes tremendous hand dexterity and hours to make progress, not wanting to scrape up the original paint.

Best Regards,
Ray

[70th Division]

Hello,


Here is some more helpful information on this jeep for others to correlate on their jeeps.

The body number is : 24884
The number is stamped on the side of the gusset on the driver's side.

Here is a picture of the triangle body gusset :

Best Regards,
Ray

[979tampa]

Nice I’m in Florida too and have a slat project. Any chance you selling the dump trailer?

[70th Division]

Hello 979Tampa,

That is great !!
These are unique jeeps, that need saving !!!

I plan on keeping the Airborne Dump trailer
I just bought most of the missing parts for the Converto, so I can restore it.

These trailers do show up often for sale, and are a nice jeep trailer !!

Best Regards,
Ray

[979tampa]

Thanks for the quick response, please keep my contact if you come across another dump trailer. Also I could use a slat frame if you have any leads, mine was shot. Thanks again Jason

[70th Division]

Hello Jason,

Yes will do !!
The G member that I bought several Converto parts from, for this trailer, was parting one out.
However, the parts that I got were very cleanly removed.
He still has the trailer body, frame, axle assembly, tailgate all on a pallet.
He may still have it in Vermont.
If you want a project that needs several brackets replaced, that I now have....
It still has its data plates on the trailer, and would be a big project.

My slat frame is rotted out on the driver's side rail in the usual areas.
I have no doubt that I will have to learn how to repair frames pretty soon.
This slat, my other slat, and some GPW frames I have, all need the frame repaired .

Several G members have posted frame repair posts and have done outstanding jobs !!!
I imagine that it will take some effort to mobilize the tools and skills needed, but it will be a rewarding task once completed.

Best Regards,
Ray

[979tampa]

Awesome do you have the Vermont guys contact information?
Thanks again

[70th Division]

Hello Jason,


Yes here is the link to the parts left over :
You can send him a PM to get information .


viewtopic.php?f=28&t=321812

Also this member had a trailer for sale, I don't know if he still has it.

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=319619&p=1870557&h ... e#p1870557

Best Regards,
Ray

[lou1941]

Those photos are really helpful. The slat I’m restoring is 123680 it’s hard to read but the tub number looks like 96093, it’s a Willys script. it was parted out years ago so I’m slowly trying to find everything and bring it back to life!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[70th Division]

Hello Lou,

That is a great thing to hear that you are restoring a parted out Slat Jeep !!
Wonderful
I am sure G members are very pleased to hear that, I am for sure !!

This one will need plenty of TLC, but she will survive and ride again

The frame will need "major" repair, but I am certain that I will be learning frame repair soon, as this jeep is not alone in that area, needing rot and rust repair !!

I am working on a 43 Ford GPW right now, but this jeep is close by the barn, and I may sneak a little time for her and restore the hood, two fenders, and the grill


Best Regards,
Ray

[DavidA]

Ray(70th Div.)

There will certainly be plenty Willys Script jeeps dated after this one, which were basically slat jeeps given a new grill on the assembly line, a rare jeep in itself.

Well just off the top, congratulations. Great find!

Since I have BRT '42 MB 131350 (post slat), I am curious about a few features on your slat.

- Do you have any outstanding features on the pintle? Does it have the "STEEL" imprint on the passenger side lower jaw? Is there any other feature that stands out about it? If so...maybe a photo or two.

- The bolts that hold the trailer connector plug, are they marked? Mine had "RA" bolts holding it in.

- Can you make a list of bolt head markings as you disassemble the Jeep in the future? I think that your Jeep would have substantial information as to the placement of the bolts. Are they TR/20 ? My "post slat" MB had a large number of TR/20's. Was that just an anomaly or would that have been still happening after the slat grill production?

- Lastly, do you have any idea on the number of these BRT marked script WILLYS Jeeps were slated for production and how is it they appear never to have left the states?

Again, congrats!

[mtflorio]

I am the owner of a March 1942 BRT slat grill also in Florida. My guess on these jeeps is the British contract was awarded to Willys some time in 1941. Then you know what happened on December 7, 1941 and the Department of the Army probably took all of the contract vehicles for US Army use.

Mike Florio

[DavidA]

mtflorio

Department of the Army probably took all of the contract vehicles for US Army use.

I have heard that too. Question is, has that story ever been documented/verified?

How about the pintle hook on your slat? Is it a "STEEL?"

Lastly, how many of the BRT Jeeps were ordered and how rare are they really? I know of one other than mine here in Kalifornia.

[70th Division]

Hello David,

Thanks, this jeep was a save, and a "future" project.
I was happy to be able get it and stop its trajectory towards being a pile of rusted away scrap metal.
It will ride again !!
I will check the pintle tomorrow to check the markings and post close up pictures,
and will also check the bolt heads, they have been exposed for so many years the markings may be gone.
Some blasting may be needed to find them, but I will check tomorrow.

I don't know if the trailer plug was a field addition, or if Willys started adding them at this point.
As far as BRT Jeeps go, I haven't researched anything on them yet, but when I have time I will start.
There seems to be a few found here in the USA, they are certainly a very interesting piece of WW2 Jeep history !!
The BRT jeeps here,were used by US Military, here, and anywhere they might have been sent around the world in the normal course of things. Some have even been found in Australia !! They are rare in general in my opinion, but great history !


I managed to find an actual ex-British GPW here in the USA, which is pretty rare as only a handful have ever been found in America.
An importer brought a small batch of them to the USA many years ago. Mine, and I suspect the others, came from a sale in northern Germany in the late 1950's. Mine was sold there on January 31, 1957 according to the impeccable British Archives.
I think those particular jeeps all came here as 1 group, and I know one has gone back to England.

I am restoring a 1943 Ford GPW right now, and working on my 1953 M38a1 fuel system , and a little work on my 1942 GPW.
Multi - tasking with these and an arrival last weekend of my first WC56 Command Car from Texas along with another 43 GPW
needing total restoration !!!!
But the slat grills are on my agenda

I really need to get to work, but I am working as fast as I can !

Keep them Rolling !!!!!

Best Regards,
Ray

[70th Division]

Hello David,

The bolt head writing on the trailer plug bolts are weathered away.
No markings left.

The hitch is inconclusive and I will have to blast it a little to determine what the potential castings are that seem to be there. It too is very weathered.
As I recall from other's posts, the "steel" marked hitches were very early, and the later slat grill hitches were then marked in larger font capital letters " STL" .
I have examples of both that I have bought over the last few years.

I will see what the blasting uncovers, and post here with the pics.

Best Regards,
Ray