J52 Willys/Mitsubishi

[Pecosjimmy]

Hello All,

Mike W, sorry to not have replied to your Aug posting to "RHD Willys". To do so now, my title says my vehicle was manufactured in 1973. I can't read the rest of the title (it's in Japanese), but I feel like it's older than that. It's got the MB body, varied by the M38 gas spout on the left side.

I do know the vehicle chassis number: J52-00261. This means that it is a Mitsubishi J52, number 261. According to my "research", the J52 was the jeep made by Mistubishi for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces after WWII, originally on the Willys pattern and with some kind of contract obligation to Willys. Information on this is sparse. Since I have #261 of that line, I'm pretty pleased with it's historicity. As to the story of it being a "Willys/Mitsubishi", I'm sticking to it until I have other proof. After considerable searching on the internet and talking to old vets in this area (Okinawa), and the fact that the engine is obsolete, it is a theory I opt to believe. Once disproven, I will post immediately. True or not, it's a blast to drive and a pleasure to own, and it won't make one bit of difference to me either way.

There is no way at this time for me to find anything else out about the vehicle. If anyone has any idea how to trace J52 chassis numbers to find year of manufacture, please shoot them my way.

Due to my high-tempo job I can't take the time regularly to visit.
However, please do post any responses/replies you may have, and I will do my best to respond!

Thanks!
James

[MikeW]

That's ok James, I understand as I haven't been able to get back on until today.