Extremely rare one of 6, vans that were ever made by Kaiser Corporation, they were built in 1964 it was used as a Military Ambulance Van. Other Jeep FC vehicles that were made by Kaiser Corp. that only made for Military purpose were the: M-676 a 2 door truck M-677 4 door truck M-678 Van has window and seats. Of the only 300 ordered, Jeep FC vehicles made by Kaiser Corp for a Military defense contract, all were diesel powered, ordered only for the USMC, made for Vietnam era. I saw one of these while I was in the service. Today only a few exist, the vans being the most rare. None of the diesel M-series FCs were ever made for civilian use, none others have ever been made since. This vehicle survived the crusher, it was in very bad wrecked and rusted condition. I spent thousands of hours, custom hand forming the replacement sheet metal, and creating the performance chassis. I am retired, I am also a Vietnam Veteran and this is my hobby, I like to save and find a better personal use for my Jeep FC Vehicle collection. My wife and I started the FC Roundup ten years ago.
http://thefcconnection.com/jesse_ybarra’s_arizona_fc_roundups.htm
This Van was headed for scrap destruction. With the help of my best friend who recently passed, I have built this vehicle to be able to be used on and off the Arizona highways, so I built it to be able to be driven safely at the same rate of speed as the flow of traffic in the desert city of Phoenix, or up to the 11,000 foot mountains 100 miles away, most of the Arizona interstate highways are posted at 75 mph, but that is actually plus a few miles over to be safe. I chose to save this vehicle for my personal pleasure rather than to have an original museum vehicle to store and rarely find a purpose to drive. The engine started out as a 70s Chevrolet 400″ 4 bolt. Now rebuilt, bored / stroked and balanced, it is a total of 432 cubic inch, with larger valves, ported and polished heads, with the best of everything. GM overdrive automatic from a diesel, rebuilt with the Allison RV torque converter. NP-208 transfer case. Eight lug, disc brake, 3.73 axles. 37″ Goodyear MTR Military OZ tires on Centerline 10″ wheels.
http://thefcconnection.com/jesse_ybarra_m-679.htm
My uncle was in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne. It has always been a source of great pride and respect in the family. It is a treat to see this vehicle. I am trying to buy a FC-170 and could use all the help I can get from people that have gone down this road already. More pictures of the restoration would be great. The Old Willys and Jeeps didnt get the respect they deserved but that looks like it is changing. The Willys trucks that go up for sale here in Canada are sold as fast as they go up for sale. Ive never seen a FC-170 or 150 for sale up here.
The LOVE of your country, serving your country and LOVING Willys Jeeps. That is a true American, with pride, leadership and good old know how…… to get the job done. Way to go RED, White and Blue forever.
I salute you as a true American Hero.
Hello, my name is Matt Martin. I have recently purchased a 1957 FC170. I was wondering if you know any places I might be able to buy body parts for it.
John, 12/2014 is just a short time away.
Thanks for serving in Vietnam, and all your years in the US NAVY.
Jesse Ybarra
Sweet.! Aren’t you glad you saved it, we are. I’m a Viet Nam vet also. Navy, 66-70. I’m working on a M-38 and an M-37. I’m not retired yet. Dec. 2014 is my target. It’s guys like us that can turn scrap into restored history. Beautiful truck. Good luck.
John