For most Americans, the Cold War was something they had read about in history books. However, for those who lived through this turbulent and fretful period, the idea of war with the Soviet Union was always one incident away from reality. It is hard to put into words the amount of money spent on military equipment on the chance that the Soviets would pour through the Fulda Gap one inky dark night. We spent billions on tanks, ships, planes, and everything else needed to sustain a protracted war. One relic of that dark period is this 1953 Dodge M37 pickup for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. This well-kept and slightly modified Dodge is in good shape and ready for any snowfall in your area. At $8,000, is it worth it to have a Cold War veteran in your garage in case of inclement weather and/or Soviet T-34s start creeping up your street? Thanks to Bruce M. for the tip on this awesome military truck!
While most people think of wars being fought with tanks, ships, and airplanes, those tools of war-making have to be fed, repaired and generally cared for. For every war machine, there is a tremendous amount of support behind the lines. Trucks are an important part of this, and by the late forties, Dodge’s WC series of military trucks required some improvements. Minor improvements were made mechanically, but the two most notable changes were the addition of a conventional-style pickup bed and new sheet metal. Under the hood was yet another variant of the 23″ MOPAR straight-six that had given such good service during World War II.
Yet it was partially the fault of that inline-six that these vehicles faded from the military roster. A lot of time had passed since the first pre-production M37 rolled off the assembly line in December of 1950. War had become even more rapid, and these low-revving engines were not capable of sustained high-speed running due to their flathead design and the low gearing in these trucks. After 115,000 M37s were produced, production of these heavy-duty trucks stopped for United States military uses in 1968. The mountains of spare parts made for these and earlier trucks are still are being sold by outfits like Vintage Power Wagons and there is a very healthy vintage military vehicle community that provides support to those who want such a vehicle. One of the supporting clubs, the Military Vehicle Collectors Association even holds large rallies with these and other relics of the Cold War.
When these trucks were finally surpluses out, a lot of them were sold with blown engines. Others found their way into municipal service. We have featured many such trucks on Barn Finds that spent the rest of their days used by rural fire departments for their unmatched off-road ability. The M37 seen here was likely one of those military trucks surplused out to the general public. It would be nice to know a bit about this truck’s back story, but all were are provided with is a basic identification as a 1953 Dodge M37, that it runs and drives perfectly, and that it wears a set of 38.5-inch tires that are almost brand new.
The four pictures in the ad depict a vehicle that appears to be in very good shape. They also paint a picture of perhaps one of the best modes of transportation in a blizzard like the one hitting the eastern part of the United States as this is being written. Trucks like this aren’t fast, but they are as bulletproof mechanically as you could ever want as long as you don’t try to drive them at highway speeds. While it is a very good thing that the Cold War never went fully “hot,” it is also good that vehicles such as this one survived long enough to make it into the civilian market. Sort of like “plowshares into swords,” but reversed.
Would you like to have an M37 like this one? What would you do with it? Did any of you ever drive one in military service? Please share your opinions and memories in the comments.
Incredibly well taken care of! Being where it’s at, I wonder if this might be one of the Canadian models with the 4.1 I-6 surplus like that used by the IDF and Hellenic troops used later, along with the halftrack trucks.
Great clearing/firewood hauling truck when you have different tires, but this one is too nice for that.
Cool 😎
Once again, and I don’t blame the author, but not mentioned, unless I missed it, that miserable quagmire in Korea is where these saw the most action. I don’t know much about the war, very little was said growing up about it. It wasn’t until the unbelievably hilarious and heart wrenching MASH was, that many got our 1st ideas of what went on. Okay, stretched a bit for Hollywood but deemed the “forgotten war”, not to the families of the almost 36,000 troops lost. 8,000 were simply listed as “missing”. We can’t forget that and this truck, like any military unit, should serve as a stark reminder of our freedom and honored like any other military hero.
The truck itself is all biznezz, and right at home in the pictures shown, but to do anything else with it, is not only what I consider disrespectful, but plain foolish,
Far as Soviet tanks? Not bloody likely. I have more confidence in our country to worry about that.
Oh, 1 more thing, sadly most of these units lie 13,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific,,,that’s over 4,000 METERS! After any war it was common practice to dump all machinery at sea on the way back. I read, by 1954, over 63,000 M37s were made, and I bet most of those are home to Flipper.
Hey Howard, interestingly at the end of WWII production had ramped to the point it far out paced losses and at wars end before manufacturing could be shut down much went from the assemble line to scrap.
There were a lot of M-37s still in service between 1968-1970. Maybe other years as well.
Have I seen one of these: yes, about 50-60+ years ago on a farm in Iowa. I used to hire out doing summer farm work and one of the farmers had one in the shed. Have to admit, I never saw it move.
Something interesting though is the clutch and brake having different pedals. I don’t think that was oem but who knows. Interesting vehicle none the less.
The hanging clutch pedal was a later conversion, Usually, that conversion would be made in conjunction with an engine swap. But if the seller is legit, why would they not mention upgrades in the ad? Apart from that, the M37 looks really nice.
Good Buy!!! And it should be right at home with those tires, as it originally came with 9:00 x 16 Military tread tires, which were probably about the same size.
This may be a Canadian version in that they came with the metal hard-top, and US models usually had a canvas top. Easiest way to tell is the data plate will say M37CDN. The biggest difference is the Canadian trucks (built in Windsor) had a bigger 251ci engine (vs US 230ci), and different transmission (built by Acme in Toronto). BTW the Canadian engine is several inches longer, and some parts, like the exhaust manifold are almost unobtanium.
I have owned/rebuilt/restored several M37s, and currently own a WW2 version which shares some drivetrain parts.
The truck shown here has potential, but the 4 pictures leave many questions.
It appears that the fuel and oil pressure gauge are missing. This may indicate the electrical system has been changed from the original waterproof 24v to 12v. I have seen many done like that, and not usually well.
I would really want to look under the hood to see if Bubba had been there.
Another thing for me is the oversized tires. They do look kinda cool, But…
These trucks were arguably underpowered and have heavy manual steering, so these tires (3 inches taller) will not help.
There are lots of M37s for sale from barn/field finds, customized, and MVPA show winners. For purists, most parts are widely available through vendors like Vintage Power Wagons.
If inspection reveals the truck is mostly decent/unmolested, it may be worth considering. If Bubba has been there, it may be more of a $3,500 truck.
Did I ever drive one? Are you kidding? Believe me I walked everywhere I went in the Army.
This is a great deal, period. It would be a great farm or ranch truck, especially in the winter. Also would be a great and affordable toy. There couldn’t be enough wrong with it to knock the price down much.
Yes, I did drive them from 58-65 In the Kansas National Guard. I would rather drive a duece and 1/2. I always felt like they would turn over in you were on any kind of slope because of the high center of gravity and narrow width.
I can’t imagine anyone buying one, but each to their own desires.
25 years ago, a gentleman came to our substation with one of these looking to get a job delivering newspapers. His truck was painted a
bright orange and it was packed to the gills with features that could get it out of most any situation you could ever think of. It sat on 35 inch tires,
had a 10 ton winch front and rear, a
snorkel for fording streams, and enough lighting on it to compete with
Las Vegas. Well, the guy got a route,
Route 2859, known as the car killer
for it’s unpaved roads and goat paths
where the customers lived. The terrain on that route was so bad that you could’ve used it as a practice course for the Mexican 1000 off road
race. The last carrier who drove it in
a regular car lost his oil and tranny pans on a rock as big as a hall closet!
He got the route and was making $750 a week delivering papers to about 100 customers. The paper company heavily subsidized that route to keep someone with a 4X4 or
something better on it rather than having a manager destroy their car
trying to deliver that thing. And the carrier? He made out like a bandit!
Is that two holes in the floor to the left of the clutch pedal? Also that rectangular piece of metal looks like it’s missing some metal.
I know this is ancient history but many years ago I bought one of these from a little town in Illinois that had been their city snow plow. It came with the Meyer powered plow and a deuce and a half trailer. I think I paid $750 for it. I used that snow plow for years cleaning out family, friends, and neighbors drives and parking areas. In the summer I would remove the plow and the top and drive it in parades (repainted in the original OD green with stars) We have many great memories of that truck. Sure could have used it the last couple of weeks here in central Illinois. I would love to have another one but I’m 72 and I don’t think I could fight that steering wheel very well now
Huh? They are meant for whatever people want to use them for.
Wrong. They were meant for specific uses. Heck, they only went about 45MPH, any more than that with the 5+ gearing, you would blow the flat head engine. Stiff as an old board. Rough riding was being generous as a description. No, these were a work truck, period. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with some overly rich boy insisting on having one, despite usually never doing an honest days work themselves. Just too bad the world has come to that.
I always wanted one of these trucks and they were plentiful and cheap in the 70’s, but they drank 33 cent gas like it was going out of style. Also, don’t plan on turning it around out in the woods.