1960 Willys M38A1 Jeep
Highlights
- Originally built for the Dutch military in 1960
- Restored by a specialist military vehicle restorer in 2019
- Owned and maintained by a military vehicle collector for the last five years
- Complete new canvas set installed in 2023
- Registered in the UK
The Appeal
The second restyle of the post-war Jeeps, the M38A1 was the first of the round-fendered vehicles we now conjure up the moment we're asked to think of a jeep. It's hard to overstate the importance of the design - not only did it serve in Vietnam, Korea and Iran, but quickly became the design adopted into the Civilian Jeep for over thirty years. To this day, they're remarkably evocative, and an ex-military vehicle is always going to garner plenty of interest with enthusiasts.
Rugged, easy-to-maintain off-road performance aside, these are the sorts of vehicles that thrive off of their story and history. Is there anything more emotionally resonant than a truck that's seen service? We'd wager it's a no. This particular one was built by Kemper and Van Twist for the Dutch MoD, and saw service with the Dutch military.
Restored by a military vehicle specialist in 2019, and painted in a distinctive - if not quintessential - Olive Drab livery, this fine utility vehicle has been treated to a new set of canvases by its dedicated, enthusiast owner - and offers a simply top-notch opportunity for anybody seeking a thoroughbred military classic.
The History and Paperwork
- Manufactured in 1960 under license for the Dutch MOD by Kemper and Van Twist
- The M38A1 (MD17519), MOD Registration KR-56-46, was in service with the Dutch Army
- Sold by the Government at auction on 4 February 1997
- Registered in the UK as WFO 462 on 24 April 1997
- Restored over twelve months around 2019 by a military vehicle specialist
- Owned and maintained for the last five years by a military vehicle collector
- Purchased in July 2024
- Used occasionally for short journeys, covering 398 km (247 miles) since 2023
The Condition
- The bodywork and underside look in very good order with no visible signs of corrosion
- Some filling was carried out during the restoration, which looks to have been very well executed
- Paintwork - in the quintessential Olive Drab military livery - is in fine order
- Complete new canvas set installed in 2023 by John & Mary Worthing
- Wheels and tyres in good order
- The interior presents well, typically spartan as you'd expect for a service vehicle
- Duck boards protect the floor
- A lap seatbelt has been fitted to the bench seat
- Electrical system needs checking as the fuel gauge and ammeter are not indicating
The Mechanics
- 2.2-Litre Hurricane four-cylinder engine
- Manual transmission with 3 gears
- All joints and moving parts on the underside are well greased
- Engine and gearbox in good working order with no problems in the last six months
- Designed to be semi-submersible with waterproof electrical connectors
- Electrical system modified with separate coil and distributor, remains a 24-volt system
- Two 12-volt batteries kept on trickle charge during winter months
- Batteries were new when purchased in July 2023
- We understand the jeep to be in excellent driving order with no mechanical issues
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection
or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand..
Vehicle specification
- Year 1960
- Make Willys
- Model Jeep
- Colour Green
- Odometer 36,232 Kilometres
- Engine size 2200
Listing Details
- Seller type Private
- Town Wokingham
- Location Berkshire
- Country United Kingdom
The Gallery
Popular questions about make an offer
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To take the hassle out of the whole process and to prevent any unnecessary squabbling we'll automatically decline anything less than 70% of the asking price so only offers that are worth considering will be accepted.
Make an offer listings include a “Make an offer” button. Simply click on this and enter the amount you’d like to offer and the seller will either accept, decline or counter. Easy peasy.
If you don’t have a Car & Classic account with a registered bank card you’ll be prompted to set one up at this point.
If your offer is accepted, you’ll be charged a service fee. The amount depends on the cost of the vehicle and is an additional cost on top of the offer amount. Starting from as little as £/€300, it covers the cost of our various auction and escrow services, but rest assured, we're not in the woollen eyewear business and so the exact amount is always displayed upfront before you place your bid. You will only be charged if your offer is accepted.
The service fee is a charge in addition to any accepted offer amount that varies depending on the cost of the vehicle. Starting from as little as £/€300, the exact fee is clearly displayed upfront before any offer is placed so you always know exactly how much you'll be charged. It covers the cost of our various auction and escrow services and allows us to continue to provide a secure and professional platform from which to transact safely.
If you've ever squeezed a lemon then this'll be a doddle. Firstly you'll need to be logged in to your Car & Classic account and have added a valid payment card to your profile. Once these steps have been completed you can then make an offer by clicking on the "Make an offer" button on the listing page and entering your offer amount before clicking on the “Submit Offer” button underneath.
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