M3 Half Track Questions

Tracked, Halftrack, etc... Military Vehicles, Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base

Moderator: Kevin Lockwood

User avatar
17thAirborne
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5847
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:42 am
Location: Central TN

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Tue Jan 30, 2018 12:13 pm

Might get to examine it this weekend and take some detailed pics.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)


Cal.Bar
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 330
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2016 3:49 pm
Location:

Re: M2 Half Track Questions

Post by Cal.Bar » Tue Jan 30, 2018 1:58 pm

steve1973 wrote:
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.
Well, if Steve is right (and I think he is) if it costs $50K to restore, and it is worth 40-50K once restored, the actual value of the rust pile is near ZERO! Frankly, wanting to work on a HT aside, you can buy fully restored HT's all day long for 30-50K. Hell I could ship one home from EUROPE for $50K. So, buying this and hauling it across the country for 10K only to have to put 40-50K into it to get to where you would be for just buying a 30-40K machine already restored doesn't make any sense.

User avatar
17thAirborne
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5847
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:42 am
Location: Central TN

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:16 pm

How many times have you seen the post on the G503: "selling my xxx. Fully restored from the frame up. Put $20,000 into it will take $15,000 OBO." :lol:

I think if we were in this for purely a profit, few would do this. Think of all the 2 1/2 tons restored for what they aren't worth. I think if you do the labor yourself, you save probably 25-50% of what everyone quotes as restoration costs. Wrench bending therapy.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

clintm20
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3039
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 6:22 pm
Location: Florida

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by clintm20 » Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:28 pm

Think of all the 2 1/2 tons restored for what they aren't worth.
Not to mention but I will WW2 jeeps. :D
you can buy fully restored HT's all day long for 30-50K.
True but if you are going to spend that kind of money please go look at it first or have someone who knows halftracks check it out for you before you spend the big bucks. There is some scary stuff out there that masquerading as restored and they are usually asking high dollars. Of course that goes for any of this kind of stuff.
Last edited by clintm20 on Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Green Trucks and High Tides Forever

Diamond T M3 Half-track Serial # M32971 USA 4045956
Autocar M3A1 Half-track Serial # M3A1-47825 USA 4053835
Autocar M16A1 Half-track Serial # M15A1-1945 USA 40150662

User avatar
17thAirborne
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5847
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:42 am
Location: Central TN

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:29 pm

clintm20 wrote:
Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:28 pm
Not to mention but I will WW2 jeeps. :D
How true
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

8683jb
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 193
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2016 2:48 pm
Location: United States

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 8683jb » Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:55 pm

17thAirborne wrote:
Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:16 pm
How many times have you seen the post on the G503: "selling my xxx. Fully restored from the frame up. Put $20,000 into it will take $15,000 OBO." :lol:

I think if we were in this for purely a profit, few would do this. Think of all the 2 1/2 tons restored for what they aren't worth. I think if you do the labor yourself, you save probably 25-50% of what everyone quotes as restoration costs. Wrench bending therapy.
I agree. I did exactly what Cal.Bar described – paid a lot to begin with and then paid more to ship it across the territory! And he’s right - it doesn’t make any sense if your sole aim is to make money on the deal. But the reward for me (up to a point!) is to breathe life back into a neglected wreck. I knew full well when I bought my half track I’d never be able sell it for what’ll be in it when I’m done. And it’s not even a frame-off, museum-quality restoration like many others are doing. Hopefully I’ll come sorta close to breaking even if I decide to sell it at some point, but if I don’t it’s OK. In spite of all the lacerations, lost fingernails, bruises and lumps & bumps, it’s a fun activity and that’s what money’s for!
'42 Autocar M2A1 Half-track
'41 G518 Nash Kelvinator Ben Hur Trailer

MVPA member

Cal.Bar
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 330
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2016 3:49 pm
Location:

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by Cal.Bar » Tue Jan 30, 2018 8:11 pm

clintm20 wrote:
Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:28 pm
Think of all the 2 1/2 tons restored for what they aren't worth.
Not to mention but I will WW2 jeeps. :D
you can buy fully restored HT's all day long for 30-50K.
True but if you are going to spend that kind of money please go look at it first or have someone who knows halftracks check it out for you before you spend the big bucks. There is some scary stuff out there that masquerading as restored and they are usually asking high dollars. Of course that goes for any of this kind of stuff.
ABSOLUTELY! Truer words never spoken!!

User avatar
17thAirborne
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5847
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:42 am
Location: Central TN

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Tue Feb 06, 2018 11:06 am

Might get onto the ranch late this week for some more pics. It has taken me 10 days to get an answer. Wish me luck 8)
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

8683jb
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 193
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2016 2:48 pm
Location: United States

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 8683jb » Tue Feb 06, 2018 11:29 am

Best of luck Oz! I hope you can get it. Post lots of pictures when you can.
'42 Autocar M2A1 Half-track
'41 G518 Nash Kelvinator Ben Hur Trailer

MVPA member

clintm20
G-Major General
G-Major General
Posts: 3039
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2003 6:22 pm
Location: Florida

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by clintm20 » Tue Feb 06, 2018 3:30 pm

Good luck, GO TEAM GO! 8)
Green Trucks and High Tides Forever

Diamond T M3 Half-track Serial # M32971 USA 4045956
Autocar M3A1 Half-track Serial # M3A1-47825 USA 4053835
Autocar M16A1 Half-track Serial # M15A1-1945 USA 40150662

User avatar
17thAirborne
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5847
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:42 am
Location: Central TN

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Tue Feb 06, 2018 3:42 pm

tanks guys!
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

User avatar
DAVY
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 308
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:01 pm
Location: si nyc ,m3a1,t19105 mm motor carrier, t16 universal carrier,two 57 mm ,m246 ,cj2a

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by DAVY » Tue Feb 06, 2018 4:08 pm

Grab your ovaries and do it .don’t be scared

User avatar
17thAirborne
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5847
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:42 am
Location: Central TN

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Tue Feb 06, 2018 6:06 pm

Easy for you to say.
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

User avatar
17thAirborne
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5847
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:42 am
Location: Central TN

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:49 am

A very productive trip. There are so many things still bolted on to this half track I believe it is mainly missing the armor and minor parts of the rear floor. One side of the rear armor is there with a pintle for an MG. The fuel tank holder is in place, just bellowed out. The rear stowage boxes and 1/2 of the floor plates are still there. The rear is fairly nice, just bent in on the L side, but the pintle hook is there. The interior has all gauges, only rmp glass cracked and the others look really well preserved with only little patina on the dials. Almost all of the dash switches are there. Both seat frames are in place. All of the shifter levers work, gears seem to mesh nicely, but the clutch goes to the floor and stays there. Brakes are spongy as expected, but seem workable. Need one door handle, but the interior armor and windows seem there and functional, just stiff. Both armored hoods good, missing the louvers for the radiator.

Underneath is really nice shape. very little leakage and nice OD everywhere. The track pulled forward with a tractor and all of the drive train (Tracks, bogies and wheels) rotated as best I could tell. The fan spins, but the pulleys are so tight I could not get the engine to turn. I did hook up a batt to the starter. It spins, but the solenoid is stuck, so I could not see if the engine spins. The dip stick is as clean as a brand new engine. No water, no rust. If the clutch had worked, I could have pulled the track with the engine in gear and checked the pistons and crank, but judging from the rest, this will be running for me with about $250 or points, cap, oil, plugs, spark wires, solenoid and check the clutch.

I am very pleased and judging from the condition of the components (dry, very little rain, hardly any rust and nice OD paint remaining) This thing will be a less expensive restoration. It would take tracks, rear armor, small floor pieces (all available) I doubt the engine needs much machine work, but I would guess about $2500 in parts and labor. The nice thing is it appears that all of the typically missing military stuff under the hood, in the cab and in the rear is mostly there.

LOTS of pics to follow.
IMG_5353.JPG
IMG_5353.JPG (100.62 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5354.JPG
IMG_5354.JPG (139.5 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5355.JPG
IMG_5355.JPG (110.38 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5356.JPG
IMG_5356.JPG (102.08 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5357.JPG
IMG_5357.JPG (89.95 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5358.JPG
IMG_5358.JPG (110.65 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5359.JPG
IMG_5359.JPG (118.62 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5360.JPG
IMG_5360.JPG (86.64 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)

User avatar
17thAirborne
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5847
Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:42 am
Location: Central TN

Re: M3 Half Track Questions

Post by 17thAirborne » Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:50 am

More
IMG_5361.JPG
IMG_5361.JPG (161.85 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5362.JPG
IMG_5362.JPG (135.04 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5363.JPG
IMG_5363.JPG (113.85 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5364.JPG
IMG_5364.JPG (172.81 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5365.JPG
IMG_5365.JPG (121.81 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5366.JPG
IMG_5366.JPG (184.95 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5367.JPG
IMG_5367.JPG (198.32 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
IMG_5368.JPG
IMG_5368.JPG (164.04 KiB) Viewed 1006 times
Oz

Feb 43 GPW 98532 USA 20206257
Oct 70 Land Rover Series 2a 25334079G NZ16GF36
http://gpw.castraponere.com/ (My Restoration Page)


Post Reply

Return to “Tracked”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 50 guests