Jeep Raffle: Own a Legand
An extraordinary opportunity is coming soon.
Win this Jeep!
For more than seventy years, this remarkable Jeep has carried the legacy of American military service.
Built in July 1953 by Willys Motors in Toledo, Ohio, this authentic U.S. Army M38A1 Utility Jeep represents one of the most recognizable military vehicles ever produced. Designed for service around the world during the Cold War, it remains one of the most iconic symbols of American ingenuity, durability, and military history.
Soon, one supporter of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park will have the opportunity to become its next caretaker.
Every future raffle ticket sold will directly support the Buffalo Naval Park’s mission to preserve nationally significant military artifacts, restore historic vessels, educate future generations, and honor the service and sacrifice of America’s veterans.
Before ticket sales can begin, we are completing the final regulatory approvals required under New York State law.
JOIN OUR PRIORITY NOTIFICATION LIST TODAY, AND WE’LL NOTIFY YOU THE MOMENT TICKETS BECOME AVAILABLE.
About the Jeep
1953 Willys M38A1 U.S. Army Utility Jeep
Manufactured by Willys Motors, Inc. in Toledo, Ohio and delivered in July 1953, this authentic M38A1 served as the United States Army’s primary light tactical vehicle throughout much of the Cold War.
Unlike civilian Jeeps, the M38A1 was engineered specifically for military service. Built to traverse rugged terrain, ford rivers, transport personnel and equipment, and provide reliable mobility under demanding conditions, it quickly earned a reputation as one of the toughest military vehicles ever produced. Today, it stands as one of the most recognizable military vehicles in American history.
Built for Service
The M38A1 was engineered to do far more than transport soldiers. It was designed to operate wherever the mission demanded. This remarkable Jeep retains many of the specialized military features that distinguished it from its civilian counterparts, including a period U.S. Army tactical radio installation, deep-water fording equipment, waterproof electrical components, and the original military brass dashboard instruction plates.
Mounted behind the front seats is a military radio installation complete with period mounting hardware, representative of the communications systems that transformed Jeeps like this into mobile command and communications platforms. These vehicles allowed military units to maintain contact while operating in the field and remain an enduring symbol of the Army’s mobility and adaptability.
Equally distinctive is the Jeep’s deep-water fording system. Its elevated snorkel intake, waterproof ignition system, sealed electrical components, and protected drivetrain allowed the M38A1 to ford rivers and flooded terrain that would have stopped ordinary vehicles in their tracks, making it one of the most capable light tactical vehicles of its era.
Behind the steering wheel, the Jeep continues to tell its own story. The dashboard retains its original military brass instruction plates, installed when the vehicle entered service more than seventy years ago. These are not reproductions—they are the same factory-issued operating instructions Army drivers and mechanics relied upon every day, detailing maintenance schedules, lubrication intervals, payload capacities, tire pressures, cooling system specifications, and servicing procedures. For collectors and military historians alike, these original data plates are among the strongest indicators of authenticity and provide a direct connection to the Jeep’s service history.
Together, these features preserve not only the appearance of this remarkable vehicle, but also the engineering, craftsmanship, and military purpose that made the Willys M38A1 one of the most iconic utility vehicles ever built.
VEHICLE FEATURES
This remarkable Jeep retains many of the authentic military features collectors value most, including:
• Authentic 1953 Willys M38A1 Military Utility Vehicle
• Manufactured by Willys Motors, Toledo, Ohio
• Original military 24-volt electrical system
• Original military dashboard data plates
• Period military radio installation
• Deep-water fording (snorkel) equipment
• Waterproof military electrical components
• Canvas top
• Military seating
• Authentic military markings
• Transferable New York registration
More Than a Prize
Every future raffle ticket helps preserve America’s military history.
Proceeds from this campaign directly support the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park’s 501c3 nonprofit mission to preserve nationally significant military artifacts, restore historic vessels, expand educational programming, and ensure future generations understand the sacrifices made by those who served.
The Jeep is extraordinary. What it helps preserve is even more important.
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DRAWING
Veterans Day Drawing
The winning ticket will be drawn during a special Veterans Day program at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
There is no more fitting day for this remarkable military vehicle to begin its next chapter than the day our nation pauses to honor the men and women who have served in uniform.
Additional details regarding the drawing ceremony will be announced as the event approaches.