1960 Willys - Really???

Went to look at a "1960 Willys" CJ5 this weekend>Body is off frame and has the CJ5 fenders along with Military battery box, OD paint on frame etc.. but none of the placards are present. The body is straight, the pass side qtr. has some rust thru but he's already got a repalcement panel that's been rolled/bent to match. Hood, fenders, cowl and probably 90% of the pieces are there and in decent shape. Bumpers not original - have had scabs bolted on to them. Also comes with a one piece FG hood. The T90 is just the case - no gut's and the 4 banger will require a complete rebuild. Asking $800 - I'm thinking of offering $200. -I really want an MB to be period correct with my '52 M37 so I don't worry about not getting this one. But it'd be a nice tow behind M37 in matching OD and markings.

This is where it get's interesting. The guy who has it knows bubka about Jeeps and even less about it's history. The frame is definately OD and there is a plate on top of the rear cross member that I think was for a 50 Cal gun mount. You can educate me on this aspect. Also puzzling are both differentials have depot repair tags - Both from Japan, both from 1956. When did the transition from MB to CJ occur? I am suspecting that the pink slip may say 1960 Willy's for convenience rather than fact.

The engine tranny appears to be period correct - 4 Cylinder / T90. The engine case is stamped 806279-W-12-D-AR with a cu/cp afterwards. Is this the F4 hurricane?

To help identify this potential project, where else would I look for serial #'s or ID points. I know on my M, the serial # is stamped into frame. OK experts, what have a I really got? Pix posted at URL below.

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Todd in Placerville, CA.
Where Gold was discovered in 1848
1952 M37
1993 Jeep Cherokee Laredo
2001 Dodge Durango

PHP:

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=272

 

is that an emergency brake in the pto position ??

JB

 

I am pretty sure that it is a M38A1 frame, I can see that it doesent have the grill mount on the front crossmember. The reversed shackles (although some very early CJ5s had that to) and the machine gun mount on the second to last cross member all make me think that it a M38A1 frame. I am using a M38A1 frame as part of a build up I am doing right now. I need to post some photos of my project, I've been a lurker for a long time now! I'll try and show everyone what I'm up to latter this week when I get over this flu and catch up at work.

 

That definitely is a 38A1 frame. As oscar 1 said there is no grille mount and I can see the grille hinge half on the frame rail.