It’s incredible to think about how many innovations were born from the war effort. Although the costs of these developments were high, it led to products and processes that shaped our country as we know it today. For instance, this Studebaker M29 Weasel was designed to take troops over unfriendly ground that other military vehicles couldn’t plow through; now, we see vehicles like the Weasel transporting rescue crews up mountains and grooming the trails at ski resorts. This one here on eBay is far from the cold and hiding out in Florida.
The seller only includes two photos. One Weasel is clearly more complete than the other, and the seller seems to position the one seen here as the one destined for parts pillaging. It’s hard to see what’s left of value, but it could be complete except for a body, assuming that’s a motor I see perched in the middle. The Weasel was produced in two versions in its lifetime, with the earlier ones featuring smaller tracks. No word which variety these are, but these small, maneuverable machines proved invaluable in moving troops across harsh terrain .
The M29 in action, assisting with medical transport over snowy terrain. This one features the standard body, similar to the example on eBay but without an enclosed cab. What this means is these had limited usefulness on water compared to the M29C (though the M29 was amphibious), which featured buoyancy cells and rudders for deeper inland water travel. When you think about it, and realize that few years earlier Studebaker was rolling out luxury vehicles, it’s amazing to think of the pivot they made to produce something great like the Weasel.
Today, the Weasel is still enjoyed by civilians in a variety of capacities, such as the demonstration seen here. These troop carriers were significant in our country’s history, with several of them landing at Normandy and supporting warfare in the Battle of the Bulge. Who knows – did this Studebaker Weasel featured today see action in WWII? Or has it simply been rusting away quietly like the White M2A1 Half Track we featured a few days ago? If only these two ol’ girls could talk.
Looks like a fun project for someone who’s into militaria. Shame there are so few pics, though…
Wonder why the tracks were used backwards from what would seem usual? Had to be a good reason. Maybe would have raised the front too much?
The weasel had Studebaker truck-based running gear, including a solid rear axle. In order to keep the ground clearance between tracks high, the rear axle was mounted higher than the front 2 track wheels. Placing the drive wheels higher also made it easier & cheaper to manufacture, because it eliminated the need for expensive and speed-limiting reduction gear sets for each track drive. So it does look like the tracks were installed “backwards”!
Many operators quickly learned to back up when encountering higher ground obstructions, and of course they also could take advantage of the higher gearing ratio in reverse, allowing the weasel to tackle even steeper slopes, much like drivers of the Ford model T did to travel up steep roads.
I’d love to have one of these! My time spent in tracked vehicles (M113 dozers and M548 cargos) while in the army, provided some of my most memorable times.
If the US military works the same as the UK military then quoting the chassis number to the relevant museum will get you the history of that vehicle – where it served, what unit etc. So these “ol girls” can still talk to those prepared to listen :)
Here’s one on display at the Studebaker museum. Sorry for the poor picture.
I thought this looked familiar. I saw that exhibit at the museum a few years ago. They had several displays depicting their war effort. Studebaker followers are very proud of their contributions to the war, and they should. Helped us win, I’m sure.
The Russians loved their Lend Lease Studebaker trucks so much that for many years after Studebaker was the slang word for truck.
Weasel
Next to the Jeep, this was probably one of the more important pieces for the war. It’s wide dual tracks and relatively small body, took it places the Jeep couldn’t go. Probably, a lot of GI’s owe their life to one of these. Powered by the indestructible 170 flathead 6, and weighed 4400lbs, unladen, it got 5 mpg and a range of about 160 miles. They made almost 16,000 and were used all over the world. I’m sure most were blown to smithereens, and the rest were dumped at sea, so any you see today, including this one, had to be surplus that was never shipped. In Europe, the ones that did survive, probably got used for all types of chores, they had enough spare parts around. Great find, it needs to be restored, and a big American flag. We owe a lot to these machines.
I can’t believe I have never seen one. Growing up watching WW 2 movies I never noticed one.
My dad was a T/Sgt in the Army during WWII and I remember him talking about the Studebaker Weasels but this has to be the first time that I’ve ever saw a picture of one after all this time,I know Dad always said that Studebaker was way ahead of its time so maybe this had something to do with it.
They are a lot of fun to drive and play with. A buddy had one that was camo white with Norwegian data tags. They were pretty fast, too, speeds of around 35 mph.
It was Pattons favorite transport when pushing through Northern France after V-Day.
Cool! I had never heard of, nor seen one before. Did it just drive the rear “wheels”? And then use one or the other to steer? Did it have a manual locking rear diff like a tractor?
I am really intrigued!
I personally owned 2 Weasels in Powassan Ontario Canada. The only Machine I ever drove that I could not get stuck anywhere; And believe me I tried; Would have still owned them today, if it were not for the Track’s inside cables rusting inside the Rubber, and breaking; Did many repairs using 3 links from 1/4 inch Chain, but big job, and I am now 76 years of age. Never found where a track could be purchased, so ended up selling both,, don, wintering in Zephyrhills Florida.
john manders
5:14 PM (21 minutes ago)
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That’s sad to hear; I’m 75 now but could use one here in Curacao – Dutch West Indies just to drag it through the Thorny bush or go uphill – where my condition won’t take me any more. Plenty tracks to be found nowadays. Thank you for commenting. Regards, John Manders