1943 Willys MB Jeep - Walk Around

Recently I sold my 1943 Willys MB Jeep so I thought I had best make a video while it was still around. 4 cylinder L-head "Go Devil" engine SAE HP 15.63 Net HP 54 @ 4000 RPM 6-volt electrical system. Jeep is complete with fully functional electrical system, all working lights, canvas windshield cover, summer canvas top, Jerry Can, M-1 Rifle Carrier, canvas water bucket, shovel, axe and wipers, but most of those items were removed for transport to another state. Unfortunately the battery died a few years ago so no engine running, lights or horn in this video. Very nice clean Jeep. Sorry to see it go!

More videos of interest:

[johnkerr]

An amazing example! My first car when I was 17 in 1965. Unfortunately I sold it but no car since, including a Porsche 911, has ever lived up to the fun I had in the Jeep.

[عمرالشيخلي-قق]

A good car. I love old cars to my heart. Those who designed and built them are truly creative and have excelled and succeeded in their work. A thousand thanks to them.

[philipperiopel]

Simple to operate, no electronic junk, and most of all, RELIABLE!!!Something that the big three haven't learn yet!!!

[steveandulsky]

What a beautiful piece of American history, and an awesome testimony to American ingenuity. I long for the days when this was considered "high tech". They just don't make them like this any more. Thank you for the guided tour.

[shannon]

I used to drive one of these in Korea. X. Ray. Camp Commanders unit.
Flooded it in the Imjin River but it still started and never failed.

[terrykrall]

There is a beauty in it’s simplicity and utility. My wife wants this.

[echohunter]

Nice Jeep. I’ve owned and restored two of these that were made in 1945 and I restored them to factory original condition, wiring, fuel tank, combat wheels, radio, every detail back to original and nothing modern…..except the battery, it’s common for MV owners that have these old 6 volt systems to install an 8 volt battery so it helps the starter have a little more power, it helps in cold environments and the voltage regulator can be adjusted charge an 8 volt battery. Please remember that when you restore the radio, the radio case is a different OD green color called Communication Corps green and it’s a crinkle type finish. There’s a vintage radio vendor that sells things online and they sold the paint in a spray can but you have to use it properly, don’t apply numerous coats or it won’t look right. If you can’t find the paint, you can go to your local Harley Davidson dealership and buy a can of their black crinkle paint then once you paint the radio case with it and it dries well, apply a single coat of the right OD green over it. These days, MD Juan makes some excellent reproduction parts but there are some better quality reproductions out there that you may prefer. I bought most of my parts from Ron Fitzpatrick parts out of Oregon and he sells a beautiful Italian made fuel tank which I highly recommend. If you’ve ever thought about owning and restoring one of these, it’s really not that difficult to do. Using flat paints is very forgiving compared to high gloss automotive paints. I would often buy a case (6 cans) of spray paint from RAPCO parts and as I restored various parts over time, I’d paint them as I assembled each section. Even using ‘rattle can’ spray cans is fine for larger sections like the hood or body panels. I’d buy a gallon of the paint and use it for the body and underbody areas with a cheap spray gun from Harbor Freight. The paints are still very cheap compared to automotive paints, a gallon of 314 OD green is only $45. And the spray cans have the same paint inside. With MD Juan, you can even buy a complete Jeep kit that only needs the engine and drive train so the options are wide with working on these, just depends on what you want and how much you’re willing to spend. Some prefer to use only US made original parts which is possible but insanely expensive so most of us compromise. I hate it when someone restores a WWII jeep but when they open the hood, it’s all civilian parts, crappy wiring and a 12 volt system. It’s fine if you haven’t gotten to the engine yet but to say that the Jeep is restored and the owner has no intention of completing anything else, is far from restored. And you’ll see a lot of Jeep owners that do this, usually there’s indicators that this is the case when you see all kinds of weird stencils that are incorrect for the vehicle and period of service. MV purists will always keep their vehicle exactly original and nothing else.

[Sir.Budman]

This video was fantastic. I plan on using a 70's toyota truck drive train, and completely building my own plagiarized Jeep around it, frame and all.

[tierone]

Great video, Thank You! When I was a young kid my Dad had a ‘47 CJ2A, and I always watched the series “Rat Patrol” with Christopher George each week. I always wondered how many Jeeps were tore up during that series. Christopher George actually sustained a life long injury when he was in a Jeep that rolled over during filming in 1966-67, and when he passed away years ago his death was attributed to that injury. Good Day Everyone!

[stevenlangdon-griffiths]

These were built in Sthelens. During the war, in a factory on Fleet lane. The factory floor was slightly sloped so they could be pushed down the line. I worked in that factory after the war and you could see the odd reminder of them being there.

[sericono]

Extraordinary piece of American ingenuity. I would love to have a classic like this. Congratulations and thanks for sharing the video

[stevewaterhouse]

I have a fully restored 1943 GPW Ford, such a joy to ride with the canvas and windscreen down! I'll never sell it, it's my baby!

[robertsnyder]

I had a 1943 Ford Jeep. Loved it. I put a 194 cu. in. Buick V/6 in it which made it go alot better.It also had the machinee gun floor in the back

[josh]

My grandfather has one and he’s giving it to me when he passes amazing car

[АлмасКалилаев-мж]

настоящий солдат, ничего лишнего. Спасибо тому, кто сохранил эту замечательную машину

[margaritaduran]

Excelente es Jeep Willys 100% original incluyendo el motor. Señores este es el mejor Jeep fabricado jamás

[SEEJAYFIVE]

I love the simplicity but absolute functionality of the MBs and GPWs. So cool!

[frankporfidio]

ALL of the Willys MB headlights were on buckets and flipped ! That stopped when Willys introduced the M-38 or MC model . Cool vid .

[sidwalters]

Have been crazy about these vehicles since I was a kid, thanks for sharing 👍

[thelonewanderer]

Thank you so much, Ronald. I'm currently making a 1/35 Meng WW2 Jeep, and I needed some colour schematics, the engine compartment etc.