I’m not 100% sure about the identification on this one, as most Studebaker-produced Weasels I found online were open vehicles, and I didn’t see any with a cab structure like this one listed as a 1945 model. The seller tells us it was modified in the 1970s, and it sure looks like a first class job. It’s for sale here on craigslist in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania and we have reader Stephen Law to thank for this cool submission. The asking price is $6,500.
I think this is an M29A based on the panel in the cockpit, although the other thing that’s odd is that I can’t find any references to the Navy using one. Marines, Army, yes. So perhaps one of our wonderful service person readers can help? Regardless, the tracks make this a valuable vehicle if you have to deal with a lot of snow or mud. The tracks look to be in good shape as well, which is good as I have no idea where you would find replacements. There is a website for enthusiasts at M29CWeasel.com if you want to try to find out from other owners.
That’s a flathead inline six cylinder engine, and may well be the original one. If it is, it made 70 horsepower when new and could propel the Weasel to a screaming 36 miles per hour. I’m not sure I’d want to be in it at that point! We’re told that it runs “fair,” but has a rebuilt carburetor, new belts and a new fuel pump.
I’m thinking this seat is a later addition. It looks vaguely Volkswagonish to me, although I’ll bet you readers can tell me exactly what it’s from. My question to you is what would you do with this find? It’s certainly not a daily driver unless you’re a lot further north or south than I ever care to be!
Not sure about the dimensions but it sure looks like someone married a mail truck with a Weasel for postal deliveries in frozen climates.
Total Chick Magnet.Too bad about that Global Warming thing. Who wouldn’t want to say they owned a Weasel?
A lot of artic and ant artic missions were sponsored by the Navy, I used to buy a lot of there equipment from the ant artic at Pt Hunmee in California, it was the support base. This looks like something we would see there, a weasel modified by a professional company for extreme conditions. It would be interesting to see what the cab insulation is like. Not a terrible price but there are so many modern snow cats on the market, you can buy a pretty nice hydraulic driven one today for not a lot more money.
First thought, Jack Nicholson and The Shining! With one of these how could it be all work and no fun making him a dull boy!!
Seat is indeed 1970’s vintage VW Beetle high-back bucket.
That would be replaced immediately with a set of Recaros and a killer sound system. Then all the Snow Bunnies would want a ride in The Wild Weasel! I may have to place a bid.
Be careful of where you put your weasel!
USMC doesn’t like to admit it but they are part of the Department of the Navy, so a lot of their equipment is USN.
Yep, had one of these at the museum too, along with a whole section on Studebaker’s contributions to WW2. I wonder if we would have won without them? Should go with a collector. There are much better ATV’s out there, but at the time, this was the hot setup. Neat find.
http://usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/images/Studebaker/museum-m29-ad-101w-1.jpg
I need this to haul firewood up from the barn-tough time with the wheelbarrow in heavy snow!
LD71😄
This has the engine that became a ohv in 61
I’d love to get a closer look at this one! I never saw a Weasel with a top like this has — certainly looks like a pro conversion. Actually not too far from me, now that I look at the ad again. It’s probably a good thing that all of my time this weekend is spoken for and we’re heading to northeast PA and New York next week.
I’m not sure that this is a Studebaker. Studebaker Champion 170cid engines had the distributor almost horizontal coming out of the side of the engine. This distributor is standing straight up, very unlike the original Studebaker 170 cid engine. See the Studebaker engine photo. hope it uploads
I’m not sure that this is NOT a Studebaker Wesel. The Studebaker Champion 170cid engines had the distributor almost horizontal coming out of the side of the engine. See the Studebaker engine photo attached here. The distributor in the Weasel photo is standing almost straight up, very unlike the original Studebaker 170 cid engine.
Here is another image of a 170 (actually 169cid) Studebaker L-head engine. The color is not stock but you can better see how the distributor is installed, very much unlike the engine in the so-called Weasel…. I don’t think that this is a Weasel in the post.
Hi Lew, this is a 170 in the Weasel, same as you show, except, the Weasel motor appears to have some sort of angle drive for the distributor coming out of the block, perhaps to keep it out of the water. To be honest, I like it better.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZTW_NJUnvM/VF9jzrNAkbI/AAAAAAAAiyg/FPKIASaiVlk/s1600/M29C%2BWeasel%2B001%2B-%2BM29C%2Bengine.jpg