M3 Half Track Questions

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17thAirborne
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M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jan 19, 2018 11:40 am

I am looking at this M3 (Update) half track that has been sitting for some 50 years. I have not personally viewed it, but will do so some time soon. The images are scans of photos, so they are not the best.

I'm not sure if the engine is seized. All of the rear armor is missing as are the engine louvers and armored windshield. Tracks look really good, but may be very dry. Interior is somewhat in tact. Engine SN reads 6519, which tracks to M2 Autocar, but white engine.

I am debating purchasing this and hauling to TN for a later restoration (never attempted one this big) and the transpo cost will be close to $1500 to get it there.

What would be a fair buyer's price (not cheap price) for this given the little info posted so far? I need to know if I am chasing a rabbit down a hole on this.

Are these restorable in terms of getting armor, engine rebuild parts and drive train components?
M2_01.jpg
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M2_02.jpg
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Last edited by 17thAirborne on Sun Jan 21, 2018 6:51 am, edited 3 times in total.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
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Blitzdough
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Re: M2 Half Track Questions

Post by Blitzdough » Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:11 pm

I've restored two M2s in the past, but started with more than where that one's at. The back end of that looks like a M3 variant.

If I was the owner of that one, I'd ask $7500 for not running. If running, $9500.

Just my opinion.

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17thAirborne
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Re: M2 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jan 19, 2018 12:36 pm

Okay. Thanks for posting such a quick answer. Right now transportation costs are an issue for me. That's just to get it local.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
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17thAirborne
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Re: M2 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:31 pm

Guess I'm not sure of the model, SN vs Ord number, Others are saying M3. SN on data tag 6519

M3-----6472 to 7071--------------4039437-----Diamond T-----4045909 to 4046508------T-3349-------Serial #s 2924 to 3523
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
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17thAirborne
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Re: M2 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:32 pm

How much do you figure this weighs without the armor that is missing?
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Re: M2 Half Track Questions

Post by 8683jb » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:34 pm

My M2A1 roller model, with all the cab armor except the pulpit, and including the rear floor, track armor and about a quarter of the rear armor was figured at 16,000# to transport. I think that was a little heavy. It was $1,700.00 to ship from KS to CA in 2016.
'42 Autocar M2A1 Half-track
'41 G518 Nash Kelvinator Ben Hur Trailer

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17thAirborne
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Re: M2 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jan 19, 2018 5:05 pm

Thanks for that info sir!
Oz

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Re: M2 Half Track Questions

Post by TopKick » Fri Jan 19, 2018 6:04 pm

That is a very nice restorable Half Track worthy of restoration. It has a lot of positivity. The gauges and speedometer appear intact! It has a winch? It would be awesome if what is there gets sand blasted, primered, painted, and back to operational condition.

Original armor? Good luck with that! Not saying impossible to find, but not easy either. However repro steel plates are not that difficult, and looks just fine.

Best of luck on your endeavor.
"Keep 'Em Rolling"
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"Until it's melted down and turned into something else, or blown to Smitherines, it's restorable"!

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17thAirborne
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Re: M2 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Fri Jan 19, 2018 6:14 pm

tanks!
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Re: M2 Half Track Questions

Post by steve1973 » Sat Jan 20, 2018 4:29 am

What a great find. Looks like an M3 halftrack and not an M2. White, Autocar and D-amond-T halftracks all use the same White 160AX motor. I would agree on prices mentioned above. I would say the weight should be around 15,000 pounds and at least 23 feet long. The M3's have a double thick frame compared to the M2's and you have a winch. Weight adds up quick on these machines. Restoration costs are going up on these machines as parts are getting harder to find. Plan on spending at least 50K if not more on a total restoration. Their is a lot of repo parts coming available such as armor but original stuff is hard to find these days. That would be a great track to restore.

Good luck!!

Steve A.
1941 White M2A1 (90% restored)
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17thAirborne
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Re: M2 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Sat Jan 20, 2018 6:42 am

The more I read and listen, The more I realize this may be out of my scope (and financial ability at this time). I can see the need for a larger indoor work shop, An overhead lift, although not totally necessary, would be extremely helpful. The general size of the engine and components means MANY more tools to purchase. I will see if I can move it to my property and facilitate a sale to someone who can do this justice. I've been restoring a WC12 (link below) and although I think I do nice work, this would be more of a challenge for me at this point. I have a 42WLA and a 42 GPW lined up for restoration, and this would sit for at least 3 years :( I also have to make a move to TN within the next year or so. Several have already pm'ed me regarding the track. Give me a month or so to sort out the details, do an inspection, and coordinate hauling it to Roswell.

My WC12: viewtopic.php?f=56&t=277716&start=525
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
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17thAirborne
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Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Sun Jan 21, 2018 6:59 am

I see now how the data plate info WM3 2971 and 6519 fall within the list posted in the half track data base posted on the G

M3-----6472 to 7071--------------4039437-----Diamond T-----4045909 to 4046508------T-3349-------Serial #s 2924 to 3523

Was wondering about the winch on the front? Did not all M3s get a winch, what about the roller? Was it either winch or roller?

I see TM 9-710 lists the difference between M3 and M3A1

Personnel Carrier M3A1 (figs. 7 and 8 ). This vehicle is the same as the Personnel Carrier M3 with the addition of a gun ring mount on the top right side' of the driver's compartment.
Oz

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Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by Spec4Don » Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:14 pm

Definitely a good starter track. Having the rear floor is huge. I wish Zelda had been that far ahead when I started. They always say buy the best Half track you can afford. I always say with Halftracks, your going to bleed! You either bleed slow or fast either way your going bleed :mrgreen:

Check with Logistics Made Simple. I’ve had really good luck with them. Shipped a 936A2 wrecker from Texas to Oregon. $3785.00 it was 37,000lbs. Pretty awesome!

Don G
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17thAirborne
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Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Jan 25, 2018 8:08 pm

Thanks for the..ahem :roll: ...encouraging words :D
Oz

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Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by Hammerhead » Mon Jan 29, 2018 5:06 pm

17th,
I agree wholeheartedly with the other comments. The completeness of the halftrack is huge. It WILL cost a LOT of money but you can do what I did and purchase the Track and get it under storage and spend the next few years gathering parts. I spent around 5.5 years obtaining parts before the first part of the tear down occurred.
There are people making the repro rear armor that will complete your track nicely. Don't hesitate to ask questions as there are very knowledgable people on this forum that were big help to me.
1943 White M-3 Halftrack, 1944 CCKW 353, 1945 MB, 1944 Bantam T3,
1945 Ben-Hur 1-ton trailer, MVPA 12610, NRA Life Member


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