Help with serial number. Thanks

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 2:23 pm

I am trying to id the year of my M38A1. Serial number 57148 86600

Oldsalt · Post by **Oldsalt** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 6:55 pm

There are serial number databases of the various m series jeeps in the downloads section of this forum. Not sure what the 86600 part of your number is. The 57148 part seems to put in the 1953 year range.

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 10:31 am

Thanks for your help. I looked through the download section and didn't find the info I needed so thought I would ask. The other numbers are about a 1/2 inch to the right of 57148. Don't know what they are either.

madmike · Post by **madmike** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 10:58 am

Just to confirm, are you looking at the wheel well tag? My serial number is 86606 on a 1961 model.

Oldsalt · Post by **Oldsalt** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:25 pm

Are you sure you have a military jeep? Your serial number fits the pattern of civilian jeeps, although I did not find that exact sequence. I've found a civilian serial number database at this address.

http://www.public.asu.edu/~grover/willys/serial.html

If you look down in the higher years you see that the numbers have a prefix and then the actual serial number. The prefix gives the exact model. Then you see the range of possible serial numbers.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:44 am

57148-8XXXX were serials used on a lot of M38A1's that were shipped to Argentina in Mar & Apr 1962. Probably MAP (Military Assistance Program) units.

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:52 am

I am pretty sure it is a military jeep. It matches every description and picture of an M38A1 and I have had the body and frame torn apart to look it over. Olive drab green paint underneath layers of black and red and the extra large 24 volt battery tray. I purchased the vehicle from a junk yard in Eastern Colorado. No engine or trans. Just body frame and two axles. Interesting possibilty of it coming from outside the country though.

Post by **wesk** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:53 am

It did not necessarily come from abroad. The MAP of the 60's and 70's was a program that often had the Army drawing contracts with jeep for a batch of new A1's for example destined to be bartered to foreign countries to try to swing them to our side or help them protect themselves from their neighbors. Not all the vehicles would get shipped overseas. Those remaining jeeps not used in the program would be re-allocated to a US unit.

There is at least one more US member on this board with one of those jeeps and several from Argentina on this board with those jeeps.