1942 Willys MB

This 1942 Willys MB is said to have been used as a commanding officer transport for the 12th Armored Infantry Battalion in Worms, Germany, during World War II before being imported to the US by the officer’s driver, who reportedly owned it for approximately 75 years until it was acquired by the seller in New Mexico in September 2020. The truck was reportedly refinished under previous ownership in green with military-style livery and is powered by an overhauled 134ci inline-four mated to a three-speed manual gearbox and a dual-range transfer case. Equipment includes a tan canvas top, side-mounted pioneer tools, a jerry can, MSD electronic ignition, a 12V starter, a fabricated interior heater, LED driving lights, and dual six-volt Optima Red Top batteries. This Willys Jeep is offered with a technical manual, refurbishment records, and a clean New Mexico title in the seller’s name. The body was refurbished and repainted in olive drab green with reapplied insignias and livery under previous ownership. Additional exterior features include a canvas soft top, a hinged dual-pane windshield, articulating headlights, blackout driving lights, orange LED turn signals and emergency flashers mounted behind the front bumper, a side-mounted pioneer tool kit, and a rear-mounted jerry can. Color-matched 16″ steel wheels are wrapped in 6.00-16LT Firestone military tires, and a full-size spare is mounted to the rear of the vehicle. The suspension is reportedly equipped with a replacement steering box, knuckles, rods, and Pitman arm. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel drum brakes which are said to have been serviced in preparation for the sale. The interior features replacement front seats with canvas cushion covers, a floor-mounted starter button, a headlight lockout switch, a rear bench seat, a canteen, a fire extinguisher, a storage pouch on the back of the driver’s seat, a toggle-switch-operated heater mounted between the front seats, and Crow lap belts. A three-spoke replacement steering wheel sits ahead of a steel dashboard that has been fitted with a mount for an M1 Garand rifle. Central shift levers control the transmission, front axle engagement, and transfer-case ranges. Instrumentation includes a replacement 60-mph speedometer, a clock, and auxiliary gauges. The odometer shows 963 miles, and true mileage is unknown. The 134ci “Go-Devil” flathead inline-four is equipped with a single carburetor and was rebuilt in 2021 by Jimmy Strauss Jeeps of Diamond Springs, California. During the rebuild, the crankshaft was ground and balanced in addition to the block being line-bored, and the following components were reportedly installed or replaced with factory components: Pistons & sleeves Stock-size piston rings Crank, rod, main, and cam bearings Stainless-steel valves, valve seats, and valve springs Head studs Oil filter canister and lines Timing gears Oil pump & sump Gaskets Magnetic oil pan drain plug Alternator Water pump Thermostat Starter Distributor cap and rotor Spark plugs and wires Dual Optima Red Top six-volt batteries A 12-volt starter was installed along with an MSD electronic ignition with adjustable spark advance and retard capability. The timing was set in preparation for the sale. Power is delivered to all four wheels through a three-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The transmission and transfer case were rebuilt by Herm The Overdrive Guy of Brush Prairie, Washington, with replacement components including the following: Clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearing Gears Shafts 2nd and 3rd gear synchros Seals Bearings Bushings Drivetrain U-joints A replacement fuel tank is fitted in addition to magnetic drain plugs at all drain points. Filed under: jeep