Hi There ! What Have I Found ??

[match]

Hello everyone ! I registered last night so I could maybe gain a little insight and info about 3 jeeps that have been sitting on a back lot next to where I work. A little back ground on me.... I never really had a deep interest in Military Vehicles, other than a passing interest every now and then. I have always been a car guy (old hot rods, new hot rods) and have owned my share in my 39 year life. My current project is a 34 Ford pickup that my grandad had owned from 1950 until his passing. My father passed away 9 months later, so I inherited the pickup. My grandad built it up as a hot rod in the late 50s (chopped top, Olds rocket V8 engine, Cad tranny, etc.). I have worked at my current job for almost 10 years, and in the back lot across the fence from our property, there are 3 old military jeeps. I believe I have them identified correctly as M38A1s. So yesterday, I ran into the guy that owns the property next to work and I asked him about the jeeps. He stated that they belong to someone else (who 15 years ago moved 300 miles away) and they had been sitting back there for 25 years or so. He said they had 24V electrical systems, and were fully amphibious. He said he hadn't talked to the owner of the jeeps in at least 10 years, and kinda acted like he wouldn't mind having them off of his property. He said that the owner had bought approximately 50 of these jeeps at one time, and had eventually sold the rest. So, here I am thinking how neat it would be to buy the jeeps and to make at least two good ones out of the three. I'd love to frame off restore one, and maybe get one in good running condition (not restored), so my wife, my 20 month old and I can cruise around the pasture... Here's my first question.... After researching the internet for several nights, one thing I have noticed about the jeeps is that all 3 have reflectors mounted on brackets on the front edges of the front fenders, kinda like the "NEKAF" jeeps. What else should I look for as far as identifying marks so as to get a better idea as to what exact model these are ? Did any US jeeps have the reflector brackets on the front fenders ? As far as I can tell from across the fence, they are mostly there (bumpers, tow hooks, rear bumperettes, spare tire mounts....one even has the spare, and jerry can mounts) but the closest two have no glass, and the furthest one seems to be missing the windshield frame. They are all different colors, one is red, one is green, and one is white. 25 years sititng outside has taken their toll on the jeeps, but it is fairly dry where I live, so not too much rust that I can see. I'm sure I can get a closer look if needed, and could probably snap some pictures if that helps. Other thing I'd like to know is....what would be a fair price to pay for all 3 ?? Thanks !!

[Ben Dover]

Check the Data Plates on the dash boards and the chassis number plares that are on the front of the rear wheel house behind the passenger side seat. Are they in the USA?

[match]

Yep, located in good ole Texas, America !! I will try to post some pics Monday night, along with getting the data plate info if possible.

[match]

Ok, I bought them all. Pretty excited to have rescued them from rotting away ! Pics to follow...

[match]

So I get the story from the guy next door, where the jeeps are located... He and his father imported about 25-30 of them in the early eighties. They had to pick them up in Houston at the port. The real problem, was at the time, they could not get them registered for street use. Now here's the best part.....he told me "I think I have the titles for those 3 jeeps around here somewhere". I just got back from lunch, and sure enough, he had dropped off all 3 titles for me !!! Lucky day !!

[Nic Jackson]

Hi

The Jeeps are definatley NEKAFS ( Nederlandse Kaiser-Frazer Fabrieken) which were used in the Dutch military from 1956-1990s. The give aways are the smaller headlights, and the indicators mounted on the grill, and down the side of the body. Also the Dutch jeeps were fitted with brake lights and city lights/sidelights to comply with the Dutch traffic laws. They were also generally fitted with Vredestein tyres which were produce in Holand.

It's excellent that the Jeeps made there way over to Europe and have now returned to their country of birth.

I am presently restoring a M38A1 NEKAF over in the United Kingdom I have a little more info on the blog listed below, about the history of the Jeeps used by the Dutch.

http://m38a1willysjeeprestoration.blogs ... ew=classic

Regards

Nic Jackson

[match]

Thanks for the info Nic !! I do appreciate the link to your blog, as I will be reading it with much interest !! Some questions I have.... If I do a total frame off restoration on one of them, what Dutch army markings should be on there, and is there a certain pattern (number sequence) for the front bumper and rear bumperette numbering that I have seen pics of online ? Were all of the mechanical systems exactly the same as the US issue M38A1s with the exception of tires, batteries, and lighting ?

[Nic Jackson]

Hi again

What I did to reveal the markings on my jeep was to wet sand down the various layers of paint on the bumperettes and bumper etc. I revealed an I54 marking on the right hand side of the front bumper, and a home guard symbol on the left rear bumperette, the markings on the right bumperette were undecipherable.

Also the Dutch jeeps had NL written in white on an oblong matt black background on each side of the body under the drivers/passenger seat and the same marking under the split windscreen, also had a white 'S' in a white circle on the hood near the snorkel cutout.

I do have some pictures if you are interested of Jeeps in service but will have to find them out a nd post on the web.

Regards

Nic

[match]

Thanks Nic !

[dcartledge]

I'd say you scored!!
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