The Willys M38A1 was the first jeep with the new restyled body, instantly recognizable by its rounded hood and fenders. This example we found on Bring a Trailer was restored to near-new condition and upgraded with some killer off-road parts. It comes with a matching Dunbar M-100 trailer fitted for wild adventures.
The Willys M38A1 is the most recognizable jeep, serving as the base for the hugely popular civilian Jeep CJ-5. The latter continued production for three decades (until 1983), even though newer generations were launched in 1955 (CJ-6) and 1976 (CJ-7). The example we’ve found on Bring a Trailer is a 1952 unit refinished in blue bedliner material. It benefitted from several improvements, which makes it a beast off-road, and comes with a Ford 302-ci V8 engine which does not disappoint.
The Willys comes fitted with a sturdy roll cage and a vinyl canopy. The model was not available with real hard doors. Still, two soft doors consisting of a thin steel frame and a vinyl canvas were fitted for convenience. The Willys was acquired by the seller in 2014, and a complete refurbishment was done approximately three years ago.
For those who love going off-road, this Willys is truly a beast. The 302-ci V8 is linked to a T18 four-speed manual transmission with a crawler first gear. It sends power to the rear or all four wheels using a three-knob system, a dual-range transfer case, and a Warn 27% overdrive unit. The 15-inch steel wheels are wrapped in 30×9.50″ RoadOne Aethon M/T tires that were supposedly replaced in 2021.
The interior has improved in the comfort department, starting with the Mustang-style bucket seats. A padded ammunition-box center console helps relax the arms during long drives, while the grenade gear knob adds to this Willys’ charm. The truck has dual 15-gallon fuel tanks, including one in the rear. It also comes with a jerrycan to go further into the wilderness.
The included Dunbar Kapple M-100 trailer has been refinished to match the jeep and comes with its own jerrycan. Lifting the top, two storage compartments are accessible, and a Smittybilt 4×8′ trailer-top tent offers accommodation. The combo is offered now on Bring a Trailer, with only one day left until the auction closes. There were 13 bids at the time of writing, with the highest at $12,500. This is a no reserve sale, so it might be worth a look.
After his childhood dream of becoming a "tractor operator" didn't pan out, Cristian turned to journalism, first in print and later moving to online media. His top interests are electric vehicles and new energy solutions. Full profile
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