Vehicle Description
Everyone knows today's Jeeps are direct descendants of the World
War II military vehicles, but if you want something a little more
authentic, then perhaps this highly accurate 1962 Ford M151 jeep
will suit you better. It's a real-deal military vehicle that
survived the disassembly/recycling fate that many of its brothers
had. So it's a fantastic glimpse into the most versatile vehicle
ever conceived.
The olive drab paint, chunky tires, and Army makings - complete
with star - let you know this is a classic freedom machine. But
Ford's jeep is always a bit more of an interesting sight. You don't
see quite as many of these today. Its predecessor was overproduced
to keep us supplied in WWII, and so there were still ones found in
packing crates decades later. But this was different. It's a
specialized machine that fulfilled a known need, and that meant no
warehouses full of these Ford-based jeeps to unload. And when these
did leave the service, many were disassembled and cut up for scrap
tonnage. It's a sad story, but it reminds you why you see far fewer
M151s out there now. And it's this legacy why you take a little
extra time making sure this has a memorable presentation. So the
finish looks better than its barracks days, the Army stencils are
done in a sharper-looking vinyl, the body panels look good, and
there are cool details, like the side-mounted shovel.
The interiors of a military vehicle are quite basic, and that's
part of the fun. This has full seating, and they look like they
have newer canvas covers that are still ready for the robust
outdoor lifestyle. The steering wheel is thin/grippy steel, and you
have the essential gauges in the center. The whole idea is to be
both robust and foolproof. That's why the four-wheel-drive
instructions have their own metal plaque on the dash. The only
addition you may notice is a roll bar, and that's a fine upgrade
for added safety. And few people will probably ever see it because
the classic canvas roof is such a nifty feature that you'll like to
keep it in place the whole time.
The engine is the same rugged and trustworthy 141 cubic-inch
four-cylinder that was used throughout the decades of M151
production. Because Ford engineered the vehicle, it even is related
to some of their 1950s foreign products. So there's a lot of
history beneath all that green. It has the strong-running nature
that you want in a military machine. Plus, the M151 got upgraded to
a four-speed manual transmission (an extra gear over its
predecessor.) The manual transfer case makes this a proper 4x4, and
the fully independent suspension helped let the short wheelbase
adapt to rough terrain.
If you want an attention-getter that everyone can relate to, the
ultimate Memorial Day parade vehicle, and/or something that's just
plain fun, this M151 MUTT delivers in a big way. Call today!!!
