CJ5, M38A1 or what?

Hey guys, I've been out for a few years but am planning on redoing my Jeep this winter so I'm back doing research. I picked up this grill over the weekend and am not sure what it's off of. It has the shallow headlight recess and center frame mount of the cj5, but it's missing the hole for the heater duct. Also it has the marker light hole of an m38a1 but with a different light mounting bracket, and is missing the bottom hinge detail of the A1.

any thoughts?

 

Looks like the original one on my '56. I suspect the fresh air intake for the heater was added to the grille when the underdash heaters became "stock", '57 or so and on. You will have to use the small glass "bullet" style signals as the later plastic (mid -60's) have different spacing and hole orientaion on the studs to mount them. Other than that it'll work just fine.

 

That's what I was hoping for. I like that the marker lights will be recessed with a different detail arround them. Kind of like giving them a home.

 

That is the same grill as on my 55 CJ5. The factory was using A1 grills with a few factory modifications to make it "fit" a civilian. Nice find! PLEASE dont destroy/modify it! That is a rare and correct piece for an early 5 restoration that is NOT made anymore.

 

I plan on using it as is except for clean up and paint.