1945 Willys 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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Lucianom38a1
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1945 Willys MB

Post by Lucianom38a1 » Mon Jan 11, 2021 12:02 pm

Hello all,

I would like present my Willys MB, from 09/Jan/1945, Serial Number 404891, which I need support to recover some information

I´m looking for the "probable" hood number, and also would like to know if this letters were applied in "Blue drab" or "regular white".

This jeep went to Brazilian Army under the land lease program during the wartime period. I just dont know if it was shipped straight to Brazil, or if it was shipped to Italy, where the brazilian expeditionary force supported the allied to liberate Italy. Is it possible to find the initial delivery place of that vehicles during the war?

This jeep is not untouched, but is in great part unrestored. It received an non-army green paint coat on late 70´s, besides some maintenance during the years. I´m not sure if i keep it in unrestored condition (maybe correcting the color, since its absolutelly wrong), or go to a full restoring.

My last question is, for a Jan-45 willys MB, which is the correct parking brake model? The early (internal drum) or the late (external drum)?


Kind regards,

Luciano
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1942 MB Slat Grill
1945 MB
1942 WC-57
1951 M38
1955 M38A1


70th Division
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Re: 1945 Willys MB

Post by 70th Division » Mon Jan 11, 2021 12:24 pm

Hello Luciano,

Wow your jeep looks incredible !!!
Stunningly beautiful :D :D :D :D :D
It would have had blue drab numbers on the hood from the factory in January, 1945.
It also would have the late style e-brake .

Your jeep has a nice tow hitch on it as well, so nice !!

Very likely the hood still has the USA numbers on the sides, under the paint.
If it was not blasted or sanded down during its last repaint.

You have done well with this beauty !!

Best Regards,
Ray

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Klaas
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Re: 1945 Willys MB

Post by Klaas » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:20 pm

Hello Luciano,

Indeed a very nice MB.
It looks just as it should....DO NOT REPAINT!!! Remember the vehicle is 75 years old and is entitled to show patina. The colour is perfectly faded.
Farley part 2 shows the hood number range for jan 1945 on page 136: USA 20670580 to 20680078 for MB403237 to MB412735 from which you should be able to find a reasonably accurate number if the original one is not still on the hood as Ray suggested.
Take care and enjoy your jeep!!
Klaas
GPW17331 - April 21 1942 - Dallas, "J-dot"
BSA Airborne Bicycle R49171 - 1944

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Re: 1945 Willys MB

Post by Batalion enginer » Tue Jan 12, 2021 5:00 am

Hi Luciano

My 1945 Willys MB has frame no 404259, Date of delivery unknown (it has a Ford glowe box lid), engine number MB 502502 ( its the same from the first civilian registration here in Sweden in 1948 so i think its the original one), the hood number is 20670827. The hood number is first painte in blue (on the factory??) then in large white, gothic style numbers, ower the blue ones.

There are some pictores in the thread about finding hood noumbers and markings, my willys pictures are posted 17 of june 2016.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=112487&start=45

Best regards Mikael Asplund

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horrocks
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Re: 1945 Willys MB

Post by horrocks » Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:05 am

Very nice Jeep.

I'm restoring 404620, 271 before yours, and the same day. Where there was original paint I would say that it is the same as yours, with that oxidised patina. I wish I could recreate it.

Here's my thread viewtopic.php?f=96&t=205277 The Jeep went to the US Army in France, yours to Brazil. Ive got a 42 MB which was issued to the British Army in the UK, and recently one was imported from Australia with an Australian army history, 20 numbers away from mine.
Toby

Willys MB 3/13/42 127415
Willys MB 1/9/45 404620

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horrocks
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Re: 1945 Willys MB

Post by horrocks » Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:09 am

The early handbrake is external contracting, the late one internal expanding. Yours should have the late style, internal expanding.
Toby

Willys MB 3/13/42 127415
Willys MB 1/9/45 404620

gpwmke
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Re: 1945 Willys MB

Post by gpwmke » Wed Jan 13, 2021 5:58 am

Nice jeep and a interesting history. I would leave it with the original paint on it.


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