Designed specifically for military use, a few examples of Ford’s M151A1 “MUTT” (Military Utility Tactical Truck) found their way into civilian hands once there active days were over. However, it is believed that only around 1,000 managed to escape from the military, with the remaining vehicles being cut up and destroyed. This is one of those escapees, and it was recently found hiding in a barn. The owner has decided that this complete and solid MUTT needs a new home, so if you would like to become the owner of a rare vehicle with military history, you will find the M151A1 located in Augusta, Florida, and listed for sale here on Barn Finds classifieds. The owner is asking $7,000 for a vehicle that could make a very interesting restoration project.
It appears that this MUTT is no dog. Unlike the Jeep, the M151A1 is of unibody construction, meaning that any rust in the floors or the vehicle’s underside can present major problems. That doesn’t appear to be a problem with this one, with the owner identifying surface corrosion as the only known rust. The body itself looks quite straight, with no major dings or dents. There is no doubt that it would benefit from a full nut-and-bolt restoration, but with so few examples finding their way into civilian hands, it should be well worth the effort. The top is looking pretty dilapidated, but it would serve as a good template to have a replacement custom-made. Beyond that, it looks like the vehicle is complete, and it’s also worth noting that their simplicity of design and construction makes them a great candidate for restoration in a home workshop.
From a mechanical standpoint, the M151A1 is a really interesting vehicle. Power is derived from a 141.5ci 4-cylinder engine, producing 71hp. From here we see some major variations when an M151A1 is compared to a Jeep. The transmission is a 4-speed manual with a single-range transfer case providing selectable 4-wheel-drive, whereas the Jeep uses a 3-speed transmission and a dual-range transfer case. However, the M151A1 doesn’t give any ground to the Jeep when it comes to off-road capabilities. First and reverse gear ratios are very low, meaning that a MUTT is capable of crawling across some pretty harsh terrain, and a MUTT will essentially go wherever a Jeep will. For on-road use, most operators will start off in second gear, as its ratio is not dissimilar to first gear in a Jeep. Another area of major difference is in the suspension design. The M151A1 features independent suspension on all four corners via coil springs and swing arms. The combination of the unibody construction and suspension design gifted the MUTT with greater ground clearance than the equivalent Jeep, which did nothing but enhance its off-road capabilities. This particular MUTT doesn’t currently run, but as with so much of the vehicle, the engine is of a pretty simple and robust design. It is possible that it might be made to run again with surprisingly little work.
Being a military vehicle, you don’t expect a luxurious interior. The only upholstery would have been vinyl on the seats, and while the seat frames are present, they don’t wear any foam or vinyl. The wheel looks like it has avoided any cracking, and while the gauges look quite shabby, I think that they would restore very nicely. Judging by the information provided by the owner, this M151A1 used to be fitted with a heavy gun, although I don’t see any evidence of the pedestal mount that would mark this as the M151A1C that carried the 106mm recoilless rifle. That feature would have made this an even rarer example, but a personal inspection might prove me wrong on that front. As I stated previously, regardless of configuration, it still remains a fairly rare vehicle.
There is a small but hardy group of individuals who have a strong passion for former military vehicles, and those people would undoubtedly consider this one to be an interesting find. These were a robust model that served the American military with great distinction. First introduced into service in 1960, the MUTT was finally phased out in 1999. Even today, there are more than 100 countries who continue to actively use the M151 in various guises, suggesting that the design of the vehicle was quite sound. A few grey imports have found their way back into the USA, but this appears to be one that was part of the US Military fleet. That makes it a vehicle that is well worth restoring, so this old classic will hopefully find its way to a new home very soon.
I really like the Mutt. My cousin lived near Ft. Hood, Texas when the M151A1s were being scrapped, and told me the following story:
Initially, the Army simply cut the Mutts in two across the center of the vehicle and sold the pieces. Several people bought matching front and back halves and welded all the parts back together, repaired all necessary lines and wiring, and created a drivable vehicle. Shortly thereafter the Army began breaking them up into much smaller pieces.
Why not sell them whole? This is not armament
It’s a deathtrap. The independent suspensions had a nasty habit of becoming loaded during a turn and then flipping violently.
Rare does not always mean valuable. The reason that they are rare is the Army destroyed them rather than let them get into civilian hands. They had a tendency to get over on their head due to the rear suspension. IOW dangerous. I drove them a lot 40 years ago in the National Guard. I think that $7K is a big reach.
Hence the nick-name of “Captain Killer”.
Actually it was the M151 that was called the “Killer” A1 referred to the suspension change. The M151 had an unfortunate tendency to flip on corners. I drove one off and on from 1967 until 1975.
I invented the M-109 suspension for the rear of the Mutt I gave my drawing to the Military and they Modified several and it passed inspection. My name is on the Patent a design patent. You could flip one at 6mph by turning the steering wheel rapidly to the right or left. I never got one stuck and I tried in the field as long as it had good tires on it. I bent a bunch of drive shafts crawling over logs. I still own a 1966 Mi51A1 without the ROPS kit . I have every option on it including the Artic Package with a Gasoline Heater. It also has 2 Prc 77 radios complete Lit and a Fording kit. Mine looks brand new off the show room. It was HQ1 for the 8th ID in Germany and was the Generals Jeep. Frederick Davidson. I bought it out of a Museum in California Plus the 8th ID Airstream Trailer the Generals slept in. Still use them today.
That swing axle was the end of more than one of those Mutts. Of course they weren’t made for clipping the apex on the twisty bits.
Boy Howdy, do these things tip over easily. Ask me how I know
I’ll bite: Oldog4tz, how do you know that a M151A1 “Mutt” will easily tip over? When, where, who, how… any casualties?
1968 Satahip Thailand – I swerved to avoid a careening baht-bus and got the surprise of my young life – fell over like a tinker toy in the sandbox
Unmodified swing axle suspensions on anything are dangerous. Modified you can get great handling and put the fun back into something like this. For this kind of money you’d think a pressure washer job would be in order….
I was drafted in 1968 and drove some of these with less than 100 miles on the odometer. They were very tippy, but my civilian driver had been a 1954 Porsche 356, so a swing axle was no mystery to me. Other drivers had problems.
I believe the upholstery on military vehicles of that era was canvas. It was in the 2/12 ton, 5/4 ton. and 3/4 ton vehicles.
You’re right on the canvas seats. These, the “deuce and a half” and many others came equipped that way. My butt spent many hours on one in the NY Air National Guard driving around my Captain. Never had a problem with the swing axles – by the time I had one it was a few generations later on the M151-A4 version in 1971 and perhaps they fixed that, although I never felt the need to test it. I remember seeing the original purchase requisition and the value new in 1971 was around $3k. This seems to be a reach, value wise, but good luck to the seller.
I was driving one from Ft Sam Houston to Camp Bullis and hit the brakes hard for a red light and almost went over. Scary. I had been driving pretty fast cars on the drag strip so I was a pretty experienced driver.
I pulled PM services on these at Fort Benning in 1969/70, the ones I recall had 4 cylinder motors built by Ford. All above comments on tipping and instability are spot on. It was my understanding that these were not made available to the civilian surplus market specifically because of instability at highway speeds. Its primary purpose in life was use in combat field conditions and they were never intended for paved surfaces.
While the majority were “cut” before disposal, there are still likely a few thousand in civilian hands, Over 100,000 were built initially by Ford, then AM General.
I have owned, and rebuilt several. Most parts, except body tubs are plentiful and priced similar to military Jeep parts. The main problem is many tubs are rotted, poorly patched, fatigued or “D,All of the above”.
It may also be a challenge to licence in States and Provinces that require mechanical inspection.
In that Data Plates (with VIN #) were usually removed prior to sale on cut vehicles, many now have fictional VIN#s on repro data plates. This can also be a problem with DMV.
MUTTS do not command the same prices as Jeeps.
The unit here is significantly over-priced.
Hey Cam, I’m the current owner of this MUTT. it was my grandfathers MUTT, this particular models tubes are actually in pretty good shape the body’s not cut, it has two small cuts in the frame and the patch is actually still holding very well. He used it in Vietnam, and this is the heavy gun model With the 50MPH speedometer, it has the original shovel and canister. I’ll provide better pictures Tomorrow, The asking price is 7k Or Best reasonable offer. I don’t know why that wasn’t mentioned in the ad the price is not firm. I didn’t want tirekickers so that’s why I started with the high price. And the actual location of the vehicle is Augusta Georgia. And yes that information is All correct. I’d love to see this MUTT restored and in a museum To it’s new owner.
My name is Ty J
I tried contacting you on another post but it did not go through I have 6,500 cash and am highly interested in your 151 a-1 MUTT I’m able to get a trailer and pick up ASAP will bring cash. If the main rails of the unibody are good I’ll take it, if my offer is close enough Thanks Ty
520 405 nine 3 three 7
Tysgunsmithing@gmail.com
I’m In Indiana thanks
I drove these in Panama in 1988, they were modified with a roll cage and cargo netting to keep limbs from being crushed during a rollover.