1951 Willys Jeep M38

‘SXS 386’ is a 1951 Willys Jeep M38 that had its bodywork and mechanicals fully restored in the ‘States. The result, in the words of our in-house expert, is “the best example I have ever seen!”

He’s a sober chap, hugely experienced and professional in all he does, which means he, unlike the rest of the office, won’t have been swayed by the presence of a gun turret.

We would normally leave the bad bits until later in the advert but the fact the only fault our expert can find is a “very fragile” ignition key says it all really, doesn’t it?

The bodywork might be minimal but it’s in great shape – and not just for a military vehicle that’s almost three quarters of a century old; clearly someone has invested an awful lot of time, money, and skill into getting it to look this good.

It’s been stored in a dry, heated garage too, which will have helped preserve it – and it is worth preserving because the paintwork has been neatly applied and the overall effect (even ignoring the accessories, which we’ll come to later) is nothing short of sensational. It’s a real crowd-puller and not for the faint of heart.

Not least because it is so gloriously OTT. For example, the 6.00-16 bar-grip Deestone tyres that sit on each corner make the B.F. Goodrich all-terrains we normally rave about look like racing slicks, and when you check the tyre pressures, you’ll be pleased to see the correct value has been stenciled above each wheel.

And you won’t need to buy a tread depth gauge to measure how much rubber is left either; just dig out your wooden ruler, plunge it in, and read off the result in good old Freedom Inches.

On a more serious note, we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres like this are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The wheels are simple steel jobbies and you’ll have noticed the front axle is fitted with freewheeling hubs, which should lighten the steering a little while also reducing drag and easing fuel consumption – and if you do get your sums wrong then the presence of a jerry can at the rear should get you out of that particular difficulty.

We mentioned the gun turret earlier and it’s every bit as wonderfully inappropriate as you imagine. It’s currently removed as it tends to get in the way but bolting it back between the front seats would be straightforward and the windscreen folds flat to give you a 360-degree arc of fire, which is nice.

The windscreen also sits on a pair of very nice wooden blocks when it’s folded down; other lovely touches include guards for the headlamps, a waterproof fuel filler cap, stenciled information on the bodywork, grab handles on the sides and rear, a HUGE pillar jack, a front convoy lamp, and rear footholds.

It’s also got a full set of pioneer tools comprising a hefty shovel and an impressive axe mounted on the passenger’s side, a brass fire extinguisher within reach of the driver, and a wooden box for storing grenades on the front bumper: In the same way that people who buy vans inexplicably accumulate mates who need stuff shifting, you’ll find your circle of friends expanding exponentially when the zombie apocalypse arrives.

Until then you can use the rope that’s coiled around the front bumper to tow Land Rovers out of muddy fields via the military-grade towing pintle at the rear – and if you ever get yourself so badly stuck that extraction via Chinook is the only viable option you’ll be glad of the lifting shackles that are fitted front and rear.

The Jeep comes with a matching green canvas hood, which is in a very good condition. However, like Morgan owners, no self-respecting military Jeep enthusiast would ever lower themselves to use it unless it’s supporting the camouflage netting you’ve draped over your vehicle to keep you out of sight of prying eyes…

The Willys posing an interesting philosophical question: When does the outside become the inside?

Because, if you’re not going to be using the canvas roof – and you aren’t – then the inside is both gloriously accessible and completely exposed.

As we might have already mentioned, this is not a vehicle for introverts.

But it is, just like the exterior, beautifully restored and presented.

With seating for four, the driver has access to the sort of analogue controls that ruled the word before built-in obsolescence turned them into switches and even, God forbid, touchscreens.

And while you might need to apply a little more heft to a lever than you would pressing a button or swiping a screen, if it goes wrong you can just whip out the grease and get it all working again without recourse to a laptop.

The seats don’t provide much in the way of lateral support but then being able to slide out unencumbered – no doors to get in the way, obviously – to hose the area with bullets was probably higher on the design brief.

What can’t be argued with is their condition, which is excellent. With barely a mark to their name, the heavy cotton covers look fit to see off another 74 years without breaking sweat.

Instrumentation is surprisingly comprehensive providing information of fuel level, rate of battery charge, oil pressure, and coolant temperature in addition to speed and distance covered.

To the right of the instruments sits a battery of information plates. Most are modern replacements, but the originals have been retained and come with the Jeep.

Just as was the case with the coachwork, the interior is full of nice details including three suede gearlever gaiters, foot pedals designed to be used with heavy boots, hip pads for those in the front, a foldaway rear seat, oodles of tiedown points, lap belts for all, windscreen wipers, a lidded cubbybox in the dashboard, and the most complex three-way switch for the lights we’ve ever seen.

As for flaws, there is a minor blemish in the middle of the information plates but that’s the extent of the issues as far as we can see.

As you can see in the video, the little Jeep fires into life with enthusiasm and settles into a steady idle with good oil pressure. Prodding the throttle produces a very satisfying increase in both engine revolutions and the charge rate to the battery.

It also makes all the right noises, including a suitably subdued exhaust note. Well, you don’t want ‘em to hear you coming, do you?

The seller has used it to transport the groom to a couple of weddings, which demonstrates in the clearest possible way his faith in the old girl’s reliability. His says it drives very well too, although he cautions the brakes are very of-the-period.

The engine and underbonnet area are as well presented as everything else. Very clean and neatly ordered, we can’t imagine many folk finding anything under here that needs putting right other than to replace the three missing clamps on the air intake system.

Not that that would be a difficult job because the engineering is both simple and accessible, making it a joy to work on and maintain; if you’ve ever thought that servicing your own classic car would add a certain something to your hobby you could do a lot worse than starting here.

Heck, it even has things like the valve clearances cast into the rocker cover; there’s a lot to be said for buying a vehicle that was made ‘squaddie proof’ as part of its basic design.

As for the underside, well, you could write this bit yourself by now, couldn’t you? Suffice it to say that it is very nicely done and provides enough headroom under there that anyone under six foot could probably stand upright*, which’ll save a few quid on buying a four-poster lift.

There’s a stout metal guard under there to protect any vulnerable areas, although we dread to think how rough the going would have to be before you clouted it…

* We joke, of course, but only a little because just like the engine bay, everything is easy to reach and work on.

The seller bought the Jeep privately in 2022, making him the first UK owner. As you can imagine, he’s been enjoying it ever since.

The Jeep doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for being an imported vehicle, and the history file contains its data tags that show the original build numbers, etc. along with some transfers that would get you front-row seats at any NRA conference.

There are also receipts on file for a new T-90 transmission, plus another for rebuilding the engine. Sadly, that’s the extent of the paperwork and while the lack of paperwork would usually raise an eyebrow, we think the Jeep’s condition speaks for itself.

As an alternative to the Series One Land Rover you’ve been thinking about buying, something like this makes a lot of sense: the availability of spares and advice will be almost as good as the British car thanks to the internet – and it’ll make an even greater splash in 4x4 circles than most old Landies.

So much so, in fact, that the owner has used it for a couple of weddings in his time, which makes us think it could provide a nice little business opportunity if you fancied making the Jeep earn its living again.

And your investment in your new side hustle probably won’t cost you a fortune; we estimate the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £15,000 and £20,000 but as the seller is offering it with no reserve, it’s going to sell from the very first bid – and given the rate of climate change, you might be grateful for something that so capable, versatile, and easy to maintain in the coming years…

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the Enquire About This Vehicle button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.