Good to e-meet everyone and happy to be part of the community!
Let me start off by apologizing for the long backstory, but it's relevant to a question at the end
My grandfather purchased our Willys back in the 60's. Family legend is it was while he was working for Pacific Union and the Army was transferring surplus vehicles for auction. He ended up purchasing a 1942 GPW with a seized motor. We always believed it to be a 42 GPW, but built in 1952 - why, I don't know. My father put in a 1960 Buick 231 and also replaced the transmission. Fast forward 25 years and my grandfather ended up gifting it to my parents as a late wedding gift. To keep it running over the years the Jeep has had the rear differential replaced (from an old mail truck) and a number of other items. My 3 brothers and I would argue who would eventually get the Jeep; I lucked out and last year my parents decided it would be mine. I recently had it shipped from my fathers house in Washington State to our home in Houston Texas.
Because of all the modifications I don't think it will ever get back to its original state - nor is that my goal. I simply hope to keep it running/drivable and keep it in the family. As I noted above, we always believed it to be a 42 GPW that was built in 1952 - I unfortunately have no data to support the story, it was just what our family always shared. Looking at the plates on the dash, it's actually a 1952 M38. The tailgate and windshield confirm this, BUT the front grill is from a 1942 GPW (see pics). This now puts into question where my grandfather purchased it from (its not a M38A1). This was not done by my grandfather or father - it was purchased as is. My question is whether anyone knows if Willy's had built mixed models or if that had to be done by a previous owner?
Regardless, I plan to keep it as is. Not only do I like the look, but keeps it as a unique family heirloom.
Thank you and I look forward to connecting with folks in the future!
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