All these vehicles have their good and bad points. The early WW2 1/2 ton
Dodges were solid, reliable, easy to maintain, but most possessed a
useless 6 volt electrical system which also infected some of the later 3/4
ton WCs. The later M37 series had graduated to a usable electric system
and had a lot of the earlier mechanical bugs worked out, but the Dodge 6
cylinder flathead was no more / less reliable or economical. These trucks
were flat out at 55, and although they can be 'converted' to go faster,
brake more efficiently, and even go round corners everything modifcation
you do will detract from the eventual value of your truck to a subsequent
purchaser.
It appears from this side of the Atlantic (I'm in Scotland) that the
values are very distorted too. Early 1/2 tons are common enough in the US
and not expensive, then would come M37s which can still be picked up from
fire departments and the like, then the 'common' 3/4 ton WCs like the
Ambulance and Weapons Carrier, then the rarer ones like the 3/4 ton
Command Car and Carryall.
Maybe we are going about this the wrong way. Here's a set of general
guidelines when buying a military Dodge of this type.
Chassis are normally OK unless you can SEE they are falling apart.
Winch-equipped trucks are really useful and worth 500 about USD more
unrestored.
Original engine codes are to be preferred (T207, T211, T215, T214, T236)
other Chrysler flathead sixes are OK but value takes a knock.
Engines that will run OK and have some oil pressure are a bonus, a big
bonus.
Bodies are much rarer than trucks, so don't buy even an excellent cab and
chassis with a missing or non-original body unless you have an original
body for it at home in a garage.
Body components are the most expensive things to replace, so a Command Car
with a missing tailgate and hood frame should be a lot cheaper than one
with both bits in place.
Specialist dealers like Vintage Power Wagons will have all the common
mechanical bits for all the trucks, but will need suitable amounts of hard
cash to be parted from the rarer bits like a Command Car hoodframe or a
Carryall liftgate IF they have a spare one. very early VC Dodges are
really nice but parts could wreck your budget - sell it to me instead.
You may like to contact VPW or Portrayal press and try to get a copy of
"Dodge Military vehicles Collection No 1" a very useful softback book.
So there you go. In general terms if I ran across a pile of free Dodges
this is the order I'd carry them home in;
3/4 ton Command Car / Carryall
1/2 ton Command Car / Carryall
1/2 ton Closed Cab pickup
3/4 and 1/2 ton Ambulances
.....any other Dodge, including post war Power Wagons, M37, M43, etc.
Hope this is of some use, and I'm sure the list membes will correct any
omissions.
gordon
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