1943 MB

If you have an unrestored WWII jeep, we would like to see pictures, and hear your comments. NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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johnseidts
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1943 MB

Post by johnseidts » Tue May 13, 2014 3:32 am

This jeep was purchased by the father of the last owner right after WWII in Harrisburg, PA (possibly at Cumberland Army Depot, but I'm still researching it). The son, last owner, is a WWII veteran who worked in an Army Air Force motor pool. The jeep spent its time after the war at an auto shop, where the very well constructed hard top was made for it. It has a lot of original features- including all items under the hood (except the fuel pump and battery), all instruments, spare tire carrier, pintle hook, trailer chain rings, body grab handles, three seats, tool box locks, gas can carrier strap bracket, footman loops, and combat wheels. The engine turns, but it hasn't run in a few years. I can't believe how straight the front bumper and gussets are. I consider myself very lucky to have acquired it for conservation and am contemplating how to proceed with its care- restoration or rehabilitation to functioning only.

One other very interesting item about this jeep. After we made the deal, at the transfer place I was told by the lady that the title had an indication that the vehicle was returned from overseas in 1946. THAT is very interesting!

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John K. Seidts RN:
Wanted to Buy any aircraft parts or aviation items
Wanted- WWII US Medical and Engineer Items


gearhead
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Re: 1943 MB

Post by gearhead » Tue May 13, 2014 5:04 am

Thanks for posting John, very nice.

Ed 8)
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56 DJ-3A for sale
45 GPW 271022, USMC 46 CJ-2A 2WD"gasser"
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Joe Gopan
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Re: 1943 MB

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue May 13, 2014 5:09 am

Nice find.
Those homemade wooden Jeep tops are genuine American folk art. The Army did it too.
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HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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nick peters
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Re: 1943 MB

Post by nick peters » Tue May 13, 2014 11:01 am

Hey John
I,d suggest you just make it road safe, get it started and run it as it is :) Glad you didn't see it for sale on ewillys . Posted suggestions were beginning to suggest that the ad could be a scam :roll: Anyway hope you get it running and please don't mark it up as either 82nd or 101st :x
Good luck.
regards Nick

johnseidts
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Re: 1943 MB

Post by johnseidts » Tue May 13, 2014 3:28 pm

I initially didn't hear from the owner so I was concerned about it, but he is just busy. A ton of people called and looked at it, before and after we struck a deal, but the low-ballers (even knowing that the money was going to a WWII vet) were particularly astounding from what I heard. We talked about it, I made my offer, he asked for a bit more, I agreed, and the cell phone died. Talk about a bit of pucker factor.... Two weeks later, it's sitting in my motor pool.

Joel, I have a good friend who is a woodworker, and I would really like to preserve this top and give it some restoration or conservation effort but will follow his advice. It is built very interestingly and the craftsmanship is excellent. They used old exterior door locks from the 1930's combined with 1920's or 30's car door handles for the door latch mechanism; they hand-bent a drip rail around the edge of the top; the windows all work and slide neatly up and down in their wooden tracks. The last owner had to store it outside and it hasn't totally destroyed the top but it might be beyond saving. The last owner's son told me that the craftsmen working for his grandfather were incredible artisans. I'd like to preserve it in tribute to them.

Nick, I'm so glad two of the five Airborne Divisions we stood up in WWII (11th, 13th, 17th, 82nd, 101st) are so well represented by fat reenactors and more jeeps than the Tables of Organization had in any one of those divisions and I don't have to mark it as E-506th PIR. The only Airborne unit it would be marked as would be 1st Special Service Force, ancestor of my old Airborne unit.

Thanks for all the comments.
John K. Seidts RN:
Wanted to Buy any aircraft parts or aviation items
Wanted- WWII US Medical and Engineer Items

sutts
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Re: 1943 MB

Post by sutts » Tue May 13, 2014 10:44 pm

What a lovely jeep, I can't believe what's still out there. Glad she's in good hands.
There's an early style genny and down draft tube but the speedo is the later style.

Can you tell us the Serial No and DOD please?

I don't think I've ever seen a set of original bumperettes that straight before.

Cheers,

Dave
GPW 68744 29-Sep-42
GPW 123050 01-Jun-43
MB 210793 11-Feb-43

El-Rancho-Decomposo
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Re: 1943 MB

Post by El-Rancho-Decomposo » Wed May 14, 2014 7:15 am

Whoa! Great find on the jeep, but in the background there is a rare-as-hen's-teeth WC-64 KD Dodge ambulance body! Is that available for parts?

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Halsey
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Re: 1943 MB

Post by Halsey » Fri May 16, 2014 3:44 pm

I saw this one on e-pay. Glad it went to a good place. I asked the wife on this one, but the "War Department" said no. "Too many projects already, etc"...

Take good care of it, it looks to be in very good shape for the age and how its been treated.


Keep us posted on the progress if you can, would love to see it run and on the road again, :)



Chris
43 GPW 122779 7/15/43
43 GPW 105097 3/25/43 Matching numbers.
51 CJ3A
51 M38
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1942ford
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Re: 1943 MB

Post by 1942ford » Sat May 17, 2014 10:23 am

That's a beautiful Jeep!!!

Preserve her and enjoy her as she is...its a tribute to all the service personnel of WW2!!!

Guy. :)
'If its Old, Green & Smells Funny - I'll probably like it!


GPW-45259 - June '42 (Dearborn) built 'Script' GPW. (DoD: 7.2.42)
MB-347283 - late-June '44 built MB. (DoD: 7.3.44)
& GPW-272270 - Sam's June '45 (Louisville) built 'VLP' (DoD: 6.12.45)

thidisbogus
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Re: 1943 MB

Post by thidisbogus » Fri May 30, 2014 8:10 pm

Very nice jeep John. Please post photos of your progress.


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