When people say they don’t build’em like they use to, if they are talking about this GMC truck, they are right! They really don’t build trucks quite like this one anymore. It’s a military issue cab over 4×4 that was capable of going just about anywhere with a serious payload in tow. They only built 81 of these heavy duty rigs to transport the Cavalry, so it’s definitely rare. You can find this truck here on eBay in Montrose, Colorado with a current bid of $3k.
As cool as the design is, the history behind these trucks is what is truly interesting. The US Army commissioned a small number of these 2.5 ton tractors to tow horse trailers close to combat zones to quickly deploy cavalry units. It might seem strange to deploy horses when trucks and motorcycles were readily available at the time that could travel long distances at much higher speeds, but as long as a horse has water and grass it won’t run out of fuel behind enemy lines and it doesn’t need a road to get to it’s destination. The photo above is of one of the cavalry regimens after unloading from several of these trucks.
The seller doesn’t know much about this trucks history. They state that it has been with the same owner since 1984 and that it spent much of the time since they purchased it parked indoors. It does look to be solid considering it’s age and that it probably saw use as a farm truck once it was decommissioned.
We are a bit concerned about what the seller’s reserve might be, as they state that a similar truck sold at Barrett Jackson a few years ago for $50,000. As cool and interesting as this truck is, we don’t see it fetching anywhere near that kind of money. If it were already restored to it’s proper military issue, then it might be worth that kind of money, but getting it there could easily cost that much.
Don’t get us wrong, this is a really cool truck with interesting history, but at the end of the day it has limited uses once restored to military issue. Which leaves us wondering what exactly you do with a truck like this? Do you restore it back to the way it was shipped and just display it or do you update it with a modern powertrain so that it can be driven and put back to work?
Funny thing according to my Dad, is the Army in 1942 had all enlisted men assigned to the Calvary learn to ride horses.
Then they were put into mechanized armored vehicles for the real fighting.
Dad ran an armored 6×6 for forward recon in Europe, first under Bradley, and later under Patton in the run across France.
Greatest Generation!
I would hate to see this truck turned into anything but what it was originally built for. If the typical run of the mill COE trucks are rare, this one definitely beats it. It needs to go to a collection where it will be restored and appreciated. It could be used for short hauls and could be enjoyed a lot. But it sure wouldn’t be the ideal rig to drive to the truck convention across the country. I sure it goes to a good home….
It should be restored to original condition. I wonder how many of the 81 built, still exist?, and how many even survived the war?
I’m with you guys, it should be restored for future generations to appreciate.
I think I just bought one of these, it’s taking a lot of searching the only difference that I see is the upper outside corners of my windows are in a 90 degree and not round
Fabricate a truck bed and use it like a very large pickup truck. International makes a super large pickup for a lot more money.
I used to have one of these only it was an AutoCar,. Dad and I used it to move military units which the government was decommissioning in the late 50’s in Fairbanks, Alaska. I remember ours as having even a shorter wheelbase than this one and was equiped with a 2 speed axle./ It looked like it was 10long and 15 foot tall. It gave us a one up on the other movers because it’s shortness ment we could just back in an haul without haviing to remove any porches 0r overhangs to get the building on the tralier. It think it would go about 39<miles per hour tops. If ypu had the guts and could stand the roar
what motor was in that autocar, hercules?
A very rare beast indeed. It deserves to be restored back to it’s former glory.
That thing sits insanely high, take out the windows and use it as a deer stand.
The thing about modernizing a truck like this is if your carful about how it’s done and all old driveline parts are stored way there is nothing wrong with an up date. it can always be reversed latter and I’m not a fan of patina. If this were my project I’d put in modern axles, transmission, and engine. I’d go with a cumins diesel 6 cyl. A five speed trans and a two speed rear axle. I’m sorry but I’d restore the body and paint it red cab and black fenders. Red frame and black axles. In the cab I’d put two air ride bucket seats char coal grey leather, black rubber mats, and red sheet metal on the cab interior. I like red and its my day dream here, that how it would go. Truth is as much as like this truck it’s not for me. So no danger hear of it turning red.
Whoa, mama, here’s a beast for ya’. Just “yard art” now. To restore it would cost a fortune, and there’s better ways to move objects today. At the time, it was state of the art. Just imagine how the all wheel drive opened up a whole new advantage in fighting wars, even though, all wheel drive was nothing new. Get ( a lot of) goods and troops where you needed them. “Old Dobbin’ could never do that. Paint it olive drab, hang an American flag on it, park it outside an American Legion post, and salute. You did a fine job, soldier.
Hi Rube. Restoration on this might surprise you. So many of these trucks didn’t do much more than wear the original tires out. I’ve got a friend in Sweetgrass who wheels and deals in military vehicles and many of them have more wear and tear just sitting outside. I agree with the Olive Drab paint job. But it should be more than a permanent fixture at the Legion; it should be driven and enjoyed. Just not long distances….
Good point. I can’t even find any images of any restored. I’m sure, due to the inherent nature of what these were used for, many, along with their drivers, got blown to smithereens. Took a lot of guts to drive one these into battle.
Best of luck finding parts.
Not sure, but I believe this is the same drivetrain as the “Ducks”, and all those, and possibly any of these, were bought for parts at the Duck ride places. Anybody?
I see the seller posted a link to a video of it running at full speed of 8 mph.
Seriously, nice to see it’s still up and running. I could throw a fifth wheel on it and use it as a trailer mule at work if it wasn’t so long.
Museum
The last time this rare truck was up for auction on eBay, I traded a few emails with the seller since I was interested. Among the things he told me is its wheelbase (134″) and its height (9’2″ !!). I checked my previous info and found that it went to at least $10,000 on eBay (or maybe that’s where it started?) but with the reserve unmet. The overall height of the truck was just undoable for me, unfortunately.
I would restore cab back to original Army specs along with a dually truck bed but would swap out drive train and some interior with a Dodge dually diesel power train so it could be driven at safe highway speeds along with better brakes. Save all original parts in case I want to go complete original at a later date.
So this is where the idea came from to haul newby basic training privates around at Ft Jackson in what we called cattle cars very much like those trailers pictures except they went all out and had a metal roof on it. No seats though just floors. I say save this old truck. I bet the 7th Cav would be interested in it.
I love these old COE looking trucks. I’ve always wanted to do one up with a duramax diesel and a flatbed so I could haul my drag truck. This truck would be almost perfect. Love old trucks. Just to see a 1946 chevy drag truck on a 1940 gmc coe would be the coolest thing going down the road
U could shorten it & throw on a p/u bed, use as is (?) w/5th wheel or lengthen & stuff twin screws; but what ever: an engine rebuild, keep the 2 speed rear & may B transmish swap probably all required.
A yardbird 4 trucking co may B?
I like the 4WD p/u idea. Go 2 the muddin events
8^0
why would you have to put another drive train in
yup, might have a studebaker engine in it like some ducks did