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This is an MB Slat Grille with an early body (7830) carrying its original grille and Willys script. An oversized fire extinguisher is mounted on the right-side toe-kick panel, but horizontally as part of a March 1942 depot-level modification (Washington Navy Yard) to the firewall for an extra battery sump and holder, identifying this vehicle as one of 20 MBs pulled from US Army inventory, and transferred to the US Marine Corps for duty as White House Security. The engine compartment carries an early pancake air cleaner and a 1944 depot rebuilt engine (MB4444773). All canvas has been replaced with correct pattern reproduction fabric.
Because of the depot battery sump/radio modification this MB has been restored as of end-2026 to “Motor Pool Class” instead of “Factory.” Its presentation is unarmed, and is painted, marked, and represents as those in its group would have appeared on Guadalcanal from August through December, 1942.
