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1952 Article Introducing The Cj-5's Immediate Predecessor, The M38a1

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by maurywhurt, Oct 14, 2019.

  1. Oct 14, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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  2. Oct 14, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    "Streamlining." :D
     
  3. Oct 14, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

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    Nice....thanks!
     
  4. Oct 14, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

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    Pity the bigger brakes didn't make it into production :(
     
  5. Oct 15, 2019
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

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    Neat article.
    Thanks for posting this.


    Dave
     
  6. Oct 15, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

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    I like the comment at the very bottom about how 'bloated' the styling is on the A1 as compared to the flatfenders....wonder what they would say about the newer JK and JLs.
     
  7. Oct 15, 2019
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Good question....

    As I commented in the original eWillys post of the article:

    The New York Museum of Modern Art’s opinion of the M38A1’s design (in the caption at the end of the article) has been overwhelmingly outweighed by the opinions of millions of Jeepers since then. That design, which was adapted a few years later into the CJ-5, became one of Jeep’s most iconic of all time.
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2019
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  8. Oct 15, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

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    Depending on when you think the official end of that styling came - it could be argued that it was around for a very long time. We could say the styling started in 1952 with the A1 and continued to:
    1971 with the end of the ecj5 - total of 20 years
    1983 with the end of the cj5 - total of 32 years
    1986 with the end of the cj7 - total of 35 years

    ....or we could push all the way through the YJ and TJ era which I do think carry the same styling cues (minus the YJ square headlights):
    1995 with the end of the YJ - total of 45 years
    2005 with the end of the TJ - total of 55 years

    Given the change in the front hood/fender I am going to stop before JKs - not to mention the 4 door option.
     
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  9. Oct 15, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

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    "Handle at right is to prevent losing passenger on curves" Very true. I added a chain to prevent my wife to be ejected in curves.
     
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  10. Oct 15, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    You are a very thoughtful husband, Alan. :clap:
     
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  11. Oct 15, 2019
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

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    IMHO it ended with the rounded door opening.
     
  12. Oct 16, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

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    she asked:beer:
     
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  13. Oct 16, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Its interesting to note the top photo (with the woman in the driver's seat) has "Willys" on the side of the hood. Embossed or stencil'ed? Also, the fasteners on the fuel recess and top bow hardware aren't painted body color like the production A-1's.
    I'll agree with Oldriginal86 that the curved door opening was the last of the classic round style body Jeeps. The rest are Wranglers.
    -Donny
     
  14. Oct 16, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

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    Not saying I disagree completely - the M38A1/cj5 styling includes the door shape and short wheelbase - but might not agree that cj7/8 are wranglers. Its all good....Even though I love my cj5, i do kinda think FFs are better looking, especially with stock size tries. Put a small lift and run 31-33s and the ecj5 starts to look a lot better than in its oem configuration - again just my opinion and not an attempt to change other opinions on aesthetic preferences.
     
  15. Oct 16, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Yeah, I don't think that was the incentive. I always thought they went to the stamped body pieces for more rigidity with lighter steel, and faster manufacturing. Just like the stamped Ford grille was faster/better/cheaper than the slat grille. The biscuit fenders do cover the tires more, and that's an advantage.
     
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