New Old Stock Willys MB Motor | June 1944

Still wrapped up and in the crate from 1944.

Everyone who enters the showroom of Army Jeep Parts, Inc. in Levittown, Pa. will be greeted by this exceptional piece of World War II Jeep history. It's a Willys MB engine and it's as original as it comes. Not only is it still sitting in the factory crate from 1944 (June, specifically), but the starter and generator are still in the wear-proof wrapping and the clutch assembly plate is still sealed in the box.

In the early '90's George Baxter from Army Jeep Parts, Inc. found this beauty in Brooklyn, N.Y. He notes this motor as evidence of what exactly was being produced on assembly lines in June of 1944 and maintains that he would only sell this engine if he was offered "stupid money".

"Jeep" is stamped on the cylinder head, meaning that Willys, at this time, adopted the nickname for their now-famous vehicle.

Baxter explained that this ignition coil lacks a bottom stud as found on earlier years. Note also the radio-interference suppressor connected to the coil.

This wrapping is more like a waxy paper material than cosmoline, according to Baxter. He theorizes that the parts were wrapped, heat-sealed and then covered with another outer-coating similar to cosmoline.

The engine has a glossy sheen; it was likely coated in a protectant.

Original Fram oil filter.