I found this unit in an aircraft hangar in San Antonio Texas. Stored there for over 30 years since 1968. Had no rust but was missing many parts. The old fellow who bought it at auction in 1968 and parked it in the hanger (private airfield) just never got around to restoring it. Been working on it for almost two years now and it’s finally taking shape. All that is remaining to do is obtain the USMC decals – which the 12th Sgt Major Overstreet has promised me he would get them for me. I decided that since there are very few of these around that I’d do a restoration and make it usable on our place in Utopia, Texas. What a hoot to run around in! Does great at 35-40, scary as hell any faster than that.
Jimmy,
I came across an 1953 M170 3 years ago from a guy in Raleigh, NC. It was desert tan and marked as USMC. That guy had gotten the M170 from a guy in Arizona who had painted it tan marked it as USMC. He had done some research on it and determined that it had been a Marine Crop radio jeep. He outfitted it with radios which were still on it. He had purchased it from Christian Hazel, the editor of a Fourwheeler magazine. Christian had discovered it in a barn. It was in rough shape, but still intact. He got it running and where it was operational.
It was in running condition when I purchased it, though there were some problems with the transfer case, so I had both the transfer case and the transmission rebuilt.
Sure wish I could have found the correct passenger seat, but I was able to use a M38A1 passenger seat and one on the drivers side.
I use it here in Polkville, NC on my farm and around town. Like you said 35-40 is fine but above that a little shaky.
I just finished painting and marking it. I will get story together and photos on here sometime.
Bill
HELLO JIMMY,
we are from Wa State and a have a M!&).
we are looking for some advice/dimensions or fab data for a spare tire carrier bracket.
do you have anything you can share with us?
any ideas, input would be most appreciative.
V/r
Columbus and Chris Partin