1945 Willys MB
Meet This Jeep
This is a 1945 Willys MB, serial number MB 449586.
This Jeep was delivered on June 20, 1945, by Willys-Overland Motors, Inc. of Toledo, Ohio. That makes it one of the late-war Willys MB Jeeps, built near the end of World War II.
The Willys MB became one of the most recognizable military vehicles ever made. It was small, rugged, simple, and useful almost everywhere. Jeeps carried soldiers, officers, radios, stretchers, supplies, weapons, and just about anything else the Army needed to move.
This particular Jeep is a running, driving piece of history that is still being maintained, researched, and improved.
Quick Facts
Vehicle: 1945 Willys MB
Serial Number: MB 449586
Delivered: June 20, 1945
Built By: Willys-Overland Motors, Inc.
Built In: Toledo, Ohio
Markings: L Company, 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Purpose Today: Running, driving tribute and preservation project
What the Markings Mean
This Jeep is marked to represent:
L Company
16th Infantry Regiment
3rd Battalion
1st Infantry Division
“The Big Red One”
The 1st Infantry Division was one of the most famous American divisions of World War II. Its soldiers fought in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and Germany.
The 16th Infantry Regiment, part of the 1st Infantry Division, landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. L Company was part of the regiment’s 3rd Battalion.
This Jeep was delivered on June 20, 1945, so it did not land at D-Day. Its markings are a tribute to the soldiers of the 16th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, L Company, and the 1st Infantry Division.
Front Bumper Markings
The front bumper markings are written in the style of U.S. Army unit markings.
On this Jeep:
1-16-I means:
1st Infantry Division
16th Infantry Regiment
L-1 means:
L Company
Vehicle 1
The white star was the national recognition symbol used on U.S. military vehicles during World War II.
Hood Number
The hood number on this Jeep is:
U.S.A. 2075985-S
The hood number represents a U.S. Army registration number.
The “S” at the end means the vehicle was radio-suppressed, which helped reduce radio interference. This was common on World War II Jeeps.
Yellow Circle Tactical Marking
The yellow circle with three dots is a tactical-style marking connected to this Jeep’s 1st Infantry Division and 16th Infantry Regiment presentation.
In this marking scheme, the yellow circle represents the 16th Infantry Regiment, and the three dots represent the 3rd Battalion.
Together, the marking fits the Jeep’s tribute to:
L Company, 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
PRESTONE-44
The PRESTONE-44 stencil on the hood is a wartime-style maintenance marking related to antifreeze and winterization.
Military vehicles were often marked so soldiers and mechanics could quickly see whether antifreeze had been serviced. On this Jeep, it adds to the World War II military appearance.
Life Today
Today, MB 449586 is a running and driving 1945 Willys MB. It still has its quirks, which is part of owning an 80-year-old military vehicle.
Like many military vehicles that survived long after the war, this Jeep has been rebuilt over time. It is not an untouched museum-original Jeep. It is a running, driving restoration that preserves the identity and appearance of MB 449586.
Current maintenance goals include:
Diagnosing and improving the 6-volt starting system
Inspecting the battery and starter
Cleaning and improving electrical grounds
Reconnecting or properly restoring the hand throttle
Diagnosing the speedometer, which reads low
Investigating noise in 3rd gear around 20 to 25 mph
Repairing the transfer case output shaft leak
Continuing fluid changes and regular lubrication
Maintaining the brakes, steering, tires, and suspension
Help Keep MB 449586 Running
This Jeep is not just a display piece. The goal is to keep it running, driving, maintained, and shared with people who enjoy history.
If you would like to help keep MB 449586 on the road, donations go toward maintenance, repairs, safety equipment, research, and preservation.
Every contribution helps keep this old Jeep running for the next person who stops, scans the QR code, and smiles.
