1945 Jeep Other

134 cu. in. 4 clyinder

Clear

Gasoline

You are bidding on one of the very last WW II jeeps to be built, a 1945 Willys MB-Navy radio jeep that was delivered to the U.S. Navy on October 10, 1945, nearly 2 months after Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945. This is a non-operable project jeep that needs a complete ground-up restoration. But it offers you the opportunity to own a rare and unusual WW II jeep. Here are some details. Chassis serial number is MB-459512, which is only 337 jeeps below the highest MB serial listed by Willys, MB-459849 delivered to the U.S. Army in September 1945. Date of Delivery is 10-10-45, stamped into this jeep’s original Nomenclature Plate on the removable glove box door. This postwar delivery date was due to the additional time Willys needed to install all the special equipment used on Navy radio jeeps. Model name is “MB-Navy”, stamped into this jeep’s original Nomenclature Plate. This jeep was either one of the last MB-MZ-2 radio jeeps or one of the first MB-Navy Basic radio jeeps. ACM tub number 150313 is stamped into the driver side toe board gusset of a correct Navy/USMC radio jeep body tub that is in very good and straight condition. Tub may have been swapped during 1947 upgrade with MX-735/MR deep water fording kit by USMC. Engine block casting number is 638632 and casting date is 9-14 [1945]. Engine serial number CJ-2A-17117 is stamped into the front of the block. Engine was rebuilt by John Rogers Co. in Atlanta, Georgia (date unknown) with specs Cyl 040, Main 040 and Rod 01. Engine is not running and its condition is unknown. Engine has a few MB features: a single groove pulley on the crankshaft (CJ pulleys had 2 grooves), a military style 12 patent Carter WO carburetor, and a few underwater fording air vent tubes and valves. The engine cylinder head is a Ford GPW military head. Distributor appears civilian. Engine s/n CJ-17117 might be original to this jeep because MB engine production stopped around August 10, 1945, 2 months before this jeep was delivered. Engine block was cast on 9-14, about 3-1/2 weeks before this jeep was delivered. The chances seem remote that a replacement Willys jeep engine picked at random would have a 9-14 [45] casting date, which makes me think this CJ engine might be original to this jeep. The Navy would not care about the engine s/n as long as it performed. But see below about a “MB” stamped engine I will make available for separate purchase by winning bidder. This jeep’s transmission is a T-84J with an assembly date of 8-13-45 (code H 13 45 D) that appears original to this jeep. Condition unknown. This jeep has been converted to 12 volts years ago and has an alternator on the engine. But included in this auction are two Willys waterproof 6 volt generators and two waterproof voltage regulators that need to be combined and completely rebuilt into correct parts. The silver 6 volt engine generator is the correct and very rare Auto-Lite waterproof model GEG-5005A with a build date code of 9Z (Sept. 1945) that is absolutely right for this jeep. It comes with another rust colored Auto-Lite waterproofed 6 volt generator for parts. Combine the two along with some missing parts and rebuild them as one absolutely correct Auto-Lite 6 volt waterproof generator with the right build date code. Also included in the auction are a correct and rare green Auto-Lite model VRY-4301AU waterproof 6 volt voltage regulator with a date code of 8Z (August 1945) and a similar black Auto-Lite 24 volt tank voltage regulator VAD-4106C that has a much better base. Combine them together along with some missing parts and rebuild as one with a new internal board (not included) for an absolutely correct Auto-Lite waterproof 6 volt voltage regulator for this Navy radio jeep having the right build date code. The Good: front frame rail ends are decent and undamaged by the huge front cowcatcher bumper; the body tub is very straight with only a few areas of rust through such as the rear floor hat channel; frame appears straight and mostly undamaged; the nice T62X pintle hook has large cast “F” (it may have been installed during the 1947 upgrade so is being sold with this MB). The Bad: ugly straps welded to outsides of front frame rails; bumper gussets cut off; ugly patch on hood top (but undercoating on hood interior is correct for postwar rebuild); ugly hole in firewall for wrong master cylinder; wheels and tires are “rollers” only, need to be replaced; outer windshield altered across bottom and inner windshield missing; condition of engine unknown; condition of running gear unknown; brakes inoperable and need complete rebuild/replacement; needs complete rewiring; needs canvas upholstery; etc., etc. This jeep needs a complete ground up restoration but is a great foundation for that purpose. Some original parts included are: all 3 original data plates on original removable glove box door that miraculously stayed with the jeep for 70 years!; both postwar fording data plates there (but one has holes drilled thru it); correct deep water fording air cleaner; original large mouth fuel tank has been patched ugly around drain; has Spicer 18W PTO on rear of transfer case for operating an auxiliary 12 volt/55 ampere generator used on radio jeeps (aux. generator NOT included in this auction); has the cast front floor mount for installing an auxiliary generator; 2 front tow hooks; 1 original lift ring; correct postwar waterproof 6 volt horn. These new RFJP reproduction parts are included: top bows, top bow pivots, top bow straps, body handles, spare tire carrier, spare tire disc, spare tire foot, axe and shovel brackets (see photo). Why restore an ordinary WW II military jeep when you can spend the same restoration dollars restoring one of the very last MB jeeps manufactured after WW II and own a rare and unusual WW II Navy radio jeep? The correct paint for this jeep is lusterless Marine Corps Forest Green, a refreshing change from the sea of lusterless olive drab paint found on most WW II jeeps. Finding the original or reproduced special parts to correctly restore this jeep as a Navy radio jeep will be challenging but can be done with time, effort and money. In the meantime, you can restore this Navy jeep using standard WW II ignition system components during the engine rebuild to get it running and to enjoy it while you gather the rare special parts necessary for a full Navy radio jeep restoration later on. MB-459512 is being sold “AS IS, WHERE IS” f.o.b. Denver, Colorado without any warranty express or implied. Transportation is the sole responsibility of the winning bidder. I can help roll the jeep up onto a flatbed trailer but that’s all I can do to move the jeep. I can recommend a person to transport the jeep but you will have to make separate arrangements with him for transportation in the western United States. You are welcome to inspect the jeep in person before bidding, and I encourage you to do so. Or contact me thru eBay with any questions. Payment terms are: a $1,000 deposit must be made within 72 hours of the end of the auction. If the $1,000 is not made within 72 hours the sale will be canceled and the jeep will be auctioned again. Payment of the deposit only, not the remaining balance due, may be made thru PayPal. Payment of the remaining balance is due in full within 7 days after the auction ends. If the balance due in not received within 7 days after the auction ends, the sale will be canceled and the jeep auctioned again. All fees and costs arising from the auction will be deduced from the $1,000 deposit and only the balance of that deposit will be returned to the winning bidder if the full balance is not paid within 7 days after the auction ends. The only type of payments I will accept are a cashier’s check drawn on a U.S. bank or one of its branches located within the U.S.A proper; cash in hand; or a wire transfer to my bank account that must be verified before the jeep can ce taken by the winning bidder. This sale is final and the jeep cannot be returned after purchase. A clear Colorado title in my name for MB-459512 will be transferred to the winning bidder after full payment in good funds clears my bank. MB-459512 cannot be picked up or transferred to the buyer until after full payment clears my bank. This jeep can be stored at my house for 30 days after the auction ends. It must be picked up and removed by the winning bidder after full payment within 30 days after the auction ends. If not removed within 30 days after the auction ends, the jeep will be moved to unsecure storage at the winning bidder’s sole risk and the winning bidder will be charged monthly rent of $100 for that unsecure storage from the date of the move until the jeep is picked up by the winning bidder. I need the space and want the jeep gone quickly after full payment clears my bank. *************************** The following two parts will be offered for purchase by the winning bidder exclusively for 15 days after the auction ends. If not purchased separately by the end of the 15 day period, these parts may then be offered for sale to anyone else or sold through another eBay auction. 1. MB engine block s/n MB-626220. The winning bidder will have for 15 days after the auction ends to separately purchase “as is-where is” in Denver, CO. for $750.00 cash a MB engine block having a 638632 casting number, a 8-6 [1945] casting date and engine serial number MB-636220. This is one of the last MB engines made and is ideal for this jeep if you demand a WW II jeep engine having a “MB” serial number. The latest casting date known for a MB engine is 8-10 on engine s/n MB-636600. The condition of separate engine MB-636220 is unknown. Photos widl be made available to the winning bidder. 2. A 12 volt/55 ampere auxiliary generator A-17258 made by Willys for the U.S.M.C. that mounts between the driver and passenger seats and is correct for this jeep. The winning bidder will have 15 days after the auction ends to separately purchase this auxiliary generator for $750.00 cash. Condition appears excellent but it has never been installed or operated. Photos will be made available to winning bidder. Happy bidding on this late 1945 Willys MB-Navy radio jeep! -