A flat fender jeep has been on my father and I's bucket list for years, we've talked about picking one up many many times over the years but for what ever reason have played with other toys and never made it happen. Recently we were discussing this idea yet again and decided to start looking for one. We wanted to find an M38 version, the last of the flat fender jeeps and still had the famous Go Devil Engine. The M38 has the WWII look of the classic flat fender jeep with a lot of great improvements over it's earlier siblings.
With the decision made we posted a Want Ad and started watching all the usual listing spots for a M38. Soon a gentleman contacted me saying he has a M38 that he would sell, a phone call filled in the details. His father Lloyd had restored the M38 and when he passed on his son had inherited the jeep and was looking to clear up space in his garage for his other cars. The Jeep hasn't been driven in quite a few years, being hauled on a trailer to shows and parked in the garage since restoration. After studying the pics and talking to the owner on the phone we decided to hook up the trailer to the Tacoma and head out to see it in person....from our home town in WA state all the way back to Michigan!
Here are just a few of the 40 plus photo's the seller sent me and our first glimpse of the Jeep. Equipped with some nice accessories.
My father and I have went on a lot of long road trips to snag vehicles over the years, but this one was our longest yet. We traveled the 2250 miles in 2.5 days. The Jeep was exactly what the seller said it was and came with some nice bonuses, a replica Browning M2 & M1919 with Tripod, pintle mount and pedestal. With the deal done we loaded the Jeep on the trailer and headed back west!
We debated on pulling the top off the Jeep for the trip home and folding the windshield down for less wind resistance..... But we were concerned that if we hit rain we didn't want the radio and interior getting soaked with road grime so we decided to try towing with the top on and see how it goes. The top is very tight/secure and tows great, no flapping etc. (We kept an eye on it and it did great all the way home with zero signs of wear. We will probably pick up a small enclosed trailer for future towing).
The first of many fuel stops on the way home.
We didn't stop at many places except for fuel...but we did swing in to check out the worlds largest fireworks store. It was Huge!
We made it to Blue Earth Minnesota on Monday afternoon and got a hotel for the night. Up until now we've had clear blue skies but the forecast was showing a major change coming that night. They were warning of extreme thunder storms along with heavy rain, hail and possible tornadoes the following day! The storm system would stretch all the way across South Dakota on Tuesday but would be sunny and clear again on Wed. We decided to hang out at the hotel on Tuesday and let the weather pass, the jeep was secured from the weather and it would give us a little rest from sitting in the truck.
Tuesday and rain. The Jeep came with a fitted waterproof cover, we installed the fitted cover then a tarp over that. We lashed it all down tight with ropes to keep it from flapping/wearing anything, the setup worked great keeping the Jeep nice and dry in the storms heavy rain. We lucked out and didn't get any hail. I'm really glad we didn't push further west as the storm was more severe in SD.
Checking out the replica M2 at the Hotel.
Wed and back on the road. Clouds in the sky but the rain is gone, the extra days wait was a good call!
The last hotel stop of the trip in Montana.
We're being followed!
Safely back at home in WA.
Playing in the neighborhood a bit. I'm going to go through and change all the fluids before we go out driving it any further.
A few misc pics of the radio unit. This unit is set up to transmit on Artillery frequencies. The unit powers up but I have no idea what I'm doing with it LOL. I'll study some manuals on it when I get a chance.
Removed the doors and sides.
Data plates.
Dash
The 40 has a new stable mate.
Now to go through and make sure everything is in good condition then go play with it.
Maintenance posts in the near future.
Hodakaguy.
