The M679 was a military variant of the FC-170, a “Forward Control” Jeep by Willys. In this case, it used a van body with two cabin doors and no side windows, fitted for use as an ambulance. We’re told this one from 1965 has been sitting for 30 years and will need a lot of attention if you have a restoration in mind. Located at a salvage yard in Pinetown, North Carolina, this 1960s relic is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,000 (the seller says that maybe 20 of these even exist today). Hats off to Chuck Foster for finding unusual tips like this!
Between 1956 and 1965, Willys Motors (later Kaiser Jeep) produced the Jeep Forward Control, a “cab over, forward control” design. Most of them were built for military use although some turned up in corporate and civilian hands. A variety of body styles would be offered, including flatbeds and vans. Technically known as the FC-170, Willys produced a ton of these under contract for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The M679 ambulance was given a Cerlit 170 cubic inch diesel engine that was good for 85 hp.
We don’t know the history of this van or whether it may have been called into wartime duty (the Vietnam War was heating up at the time). It last ran somewhere around 1990-95 and has been laid up ever since. The engine and 3-speed transmission are said to be original, but who knows what it might take to get the vehicle going again. A spare set of main bearings comes with the deal to help out.
While the frame is said to be solid, the exterior sheet metal has more than its share of rust. If the seller is correct in that fewer than 20 of these survive, you may have to fabricate some of your own sheet metal if replacements are needed. The odometer reading is 3,700 miles, but surely the clock has turned over at least once. If you’re looking for an odd duck to restore, this Jeep could easily qualify.
Very cool ! ….Not $10,000 cool. …Has not run in 30 years.
eek !!! .. A lot of money and time to get this back in shape.
GLWT !!!
while i do run across the fc trucks up here in new england, this is the first van i have ever seen. it would be nice to save it but as russ said it will most likely take more free hand paenel building than i have the tooling or skill set to create.
Never seen one but man is it ROUGH since it is so rare who knows what it’s worth until someone pays for it
Looks like a Jeep mated with an online or Chevy van and this was the result
The FC had the whole cab flip up to access the engine how is the engine accessed on this??
Probably the doghouse in the cab comes off, looks like it also has some small access hatches for routine maintenance.
The doghouse between the front seats opens.
One rare and cool jeep but that doesn’t mean it’s valuable. 10,000 dollars somebody’s been out in sun too long. Would be neat to do, I think the windshield would be a issue, not worried about the sheet metal, flat panels not a big deal, if your not farming it out. Maybe 2,000 dollars and with a good title ! Without a title, not worth anything in my state.
Agree, 10,000 is way too much, just because it is rare does not mean it is valuable. This is a utility vehicle in rough shape and I can see about 50,000 to 60,000 in restoring it to be worth less than that in value. Parts nearly impossible to find and has to be hand made, expensive and time consuming. For the engine parts are rare even if they can be found. The enclosure of a couple of engine parts only indicates the owner knows it is shot. Putting a small block is not feasible. It is a cows ear that will never be a silk purse. I base my response in a body shop owner of 55 years experience. It is something that sets out with sign on side attracting business. I would say no takers over 1500.00. do not forget the cost of trailering. I offer $1000.00 and will take a chance on this pigs ear.
the expression is “Sow’s Ear”. “Can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”.
We said “You can’t make chicken livers with chicken sh_t.”
There has to be a million local colloquialisms out there. 😊
This van would make a great tiny house in the middle of the woods for meth lab technicians.
Call the prop department at the ” Walking Dead”. They are likely looking for it. At 10k you could have a very unique casket at your funeral. It scream East German depression. You could park it next to a Trabant and no one would be the wiser….all done.
The reason there are only 3700 miles on the odometer may not be because the odometer turned over 100000 miles. It may be because the Jeep came equipped with a 170 cubic inch diesel and a 3 speed manual transmission. With that drive train it may have taken 28 years to put on 3700 miles.
Pinetown is 25 miles east of Greenville (East Carolina U.) deep in BFNowhere. The owner must have taken too many hurricane shots to the head to be asking more than 1/20th of what it’s worth. Either that or they’re channeling their inner Peter Kumar.
No likely meth fumes in that area…lol
A good washing, and there won’t be much left here… Sad
In the dictionary under, “Basket case” there is a photo of this jeep. I’m sorry, $10K is absolutely ridiculous.
If this guy gets 10grand for this pos it only proves what PT Barnum said about one born every day. Sure its rare which only means “what parts do you need”. Sometimes I wonder about this hobby.
I was thinking this was just a pile of hopeless junk at first, but since it comes with that extra set of main bearings, it’s totally worth $10k.
I wouldn’t take it if it was free. Rust is the number one wallet crusher, and this thing has crushed wallet written all over it.
heard of, never seen beyond sketch (sales brochure).
I think it’s the best of the 4, 5 models. A 2 stroke diesel is the cherry on top. Needs a NV3550 or even AOD….
Heck I would be more than happy to give this guy maybe $400 dollars for this cause that is all it’s worth. Heck I bought a 1966 VW panel van with a rebuild motor that had 1400 on it for 1800 so what is sooooo special about this it’s in a junkyard!!! GIVE ME A BRACK Thanks
Boy this one looks rough, but there is a small jewel in this rig and one that makes it not only rare but very desirable and that is the Cerlist diesel engine! Only about 10 percent of these rigs had that engine and there is a somewhat cult following for these rigs with that engine! Someone is going to buy this because of what it’s is, even in this bad condition.
I guess we all agree $10K is a little steep… ok, its really steep.
I still enjoy looking at the pictures of this old military vehicle, especially so close to Veterans Day. I have it good because of the efforts and sacrifices of so many Vets…
Russ- Good write up and thank you for acknowledging the tipper!
Considering the condition of this one, it will take between $20K and $50K to restore it. From the photo’s the interior is full of rust and 4 flat (Junk) tires plus no telling the condition of the motor or trans. . At the most this one would be worth $50.00 especially when you consider the labor plus materials to restore it. Putting in a 40 hr week on rebuilding this one would take almost a year to restore it. Since it is in a salvage yard the question of a title comes up, No Title NO SALE!
If they can bring clapped out, gutted 60+ year old VW vans back to life, then this will be fixed. Way too rare to crush. Would love to see a YouTube series bring this back from the dead.