Condition of the Willys-MB body shell delivered from Munich
This Willys Jeep MB, dating from the last year of the war, 1945, was delivered to us from the Munich area. The owner's sole interest in this particular project was the restoration of the rare body shell. The rolling chassis and the complete drivetrain remained with the customer, thus clearly defining the scope of work in our workshops.
The bare steel body showed extensive corrosion damage in typical areas, rust perforation throughout the entire floor area, and deformations resulting from decades of use. Since the vehicle had been used in rough terrain after the war, the sheet metal exhibited numerous cracks, dents, and imprecise old welding repairs, all of which had to be removed before the actual rebuild could begin.
When restoring a Willys MB, the condition of the body shell often determines the overall cost even before the engine or chassis. This is especially true for WW2 Jeeps that continued to be used as work vehicles after the war, where military history, later civilian use, and makeshift repairs are often closely intertwined.
ACM body shell and manufacturing tolerances
The Willys Jeep MB was produced under considerable time pressure for the military during World War II. The body tubs were primarily manufactured by American Central Manufacturing (ACM) for both Willys-Overland and Ford. As a result, later Willys MB and Ford GPW models can be very similar in detail, especially regarding the so-called composite body tubs of the final production phase.
This history presents a particular challenge for the restoration of the sheet metal. Sheets, angles, press fits, and dimensions can vary significantly depending on the production period, use, and previous modifications. Therefore, the standard repair panels available today for Willys MB, Ford GPW, or early CJ models rarely fit an original 1945 body shell without modification.
Every spare part must be manually inspected in the workshops and adapted to the individual dimensions of the vehicle. With a Jeep body of this era, the goal isn't to achieve modern perfection. What's crucial is that the transitions, creases, mounting points, and floor structure function flawlessly and visually match the military vehicle.
Sheet metal work on hat profiles, tank recess and reproduction parts
The technical inspection of the bodywork in our workshops in the Czech Republic confirmed the typical rust spots of this military vehicle. In particular, the hat profiles under the floor panel, which serve as reinforcement, collect moisture due to their design and rust from the inside out. The fuel tank recess on the left side, the rear storage compartments, and the transitions to the wheel arches also showed significant material loss.
Our team cut out large sections of the weakened sheet metal. Old welds, cracks, deformed areas, and imprecisely fitted repair panels had to be removed or replaced. Because the purchased repair panels didn't fit perfectly due to tolerances and the individual vehicle history, they were modified, stretched, adjusted, and in some cases, re-bent in the workshops.
After derusting and the hand-crafted sheet metal work, the welds were ground down and the critical transitions prepared. Seam sealing, corrosion protection, and subsequent surface preparation are particularly important on a Willys Jeep body shell because many areas consist of double sheets, hat profiles, and tight folds. Otherwise, new corrosion will start exactly where the old repair left off.
Limited scope of work and handover of the finished tub
Since this project from Munich was defined as a pure bodywork repair, our task ended after the completion of the sheet metal work and basic surface preparation. The final paint finish in the correct military color, as well as the complete final assembly of the mechanical components and electrical system, will be carried out by the owner himself.
This clear delineation suited the project well. Our workshops concentrated on the areas that are crucial for the craftsmanship involved in a Willys MB body shell: the floor area, hat profiles, fuel tank recess, storage compartments, wheel arches, old repairs, and the fitting of reproduction sheet metal. Chassis, drivetrain, electrics, and final assembly deliberately remained outside our scope of work.
If you're looking to have the tub body of a Willys MB, Ford GPW, or early civilian CJ Jeep overhauled, detailed photos of critical areas are extremely helpful. Photos of the hat profiles, underside, fuel tank recess, floor area, wheel wells, storage compartments, and old welds allow us to make a reliable initial assessment. At our workshops in the Czech Republic, we evaluate the condition of the steel and develop a plan for the necessary sheet metal work and custom modifications.
