51 m38 Hood number uknown

[Coobey]

As a good Lurker should; I am posting a conversation I held with Wes on Hood numbers - I started the private talk because I knew there has been huge research and he documents all he can. My reference before reaching out is here: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules. ... pic&t=6067


I agree with Wes we should share for others:


Original/

Dad and I have nearly completed a 51 m38 and are at the point to paint on the numbers. As you are well aware of this topic we are struggling to match as close as we can to original. Would it be prudent of us to use a number starting with 2089xxxx as it is 8/51. We have no data to go by other than attached picture of serial number on dash. The Jeep was hacked on quite a bit before us and makes it's original data missing.

Please feel free to use this info on your data sheets. And any other info I can give you.

Jeep could have made it from Colorado area at some point. We found in Iowa. Engine has rebuild tag from Mt Rainier depot from 4/58 punched out 30over.

Thank you for your time
Cory

WesK Reply:

Hello Cory,

It would be much more beneficial to our mjeeps group to have asked this question on the web site's technical page so that all members could benefit from reading the replies.

Your jeep's serial plate was not an original member of your data plates group. Also the stamping on the serial plate is different than others of the same period. So I doubt any trust is called for in the accuracy of the serial number.

If that's the same serial that's on your registration and title then you are stuck with that number.

I am a believer that contrived hood numbers should not be veiled attempts at convincing a viewer they are factory original to that jeep. If no remains of a hood number were found on your jeep I suggest a contrived hood number that is obvious to the viewer that it is not the jeep's original hood number. Since you are a August 51 serial number then 208XXXXX is the correct format but to make sure it is obvious the hood number is not original to the jeep I suggest that folks use their jeep's 5 digit serial number to complete the contrived hood number. For your jeep that would read 20828164.

Regards,
Wes K

Wes Thank you. From not having full true details on what numbers were originally placed, we will fall back and use the Beginning code adding only known serial from data plates we had. This prevents false hidden numbers.

[Brumbach]

When I titled my M38 in 1971, the DMV used the hood number listed on the bill of sale from the surplus center instead of my serial number. I'm pretty sure they should've used the serial number. I haven't had it registered to operate for nearly 40 years. I can't wait to see how they're going to react when I return to them for fresh tags after restoration. Then again, I'll have hood numbers present of the vehicle when I go so maybe it won't make any difference. FWIW, delivery date is 9/51 - pretty close to op.