Why settle for an ordinary classic like a Ford Mustang or a Chevy Camaro? Instead, take vintage to new extremes with something from WWII. That’s the subject of this auction dilemma as we take a look at a 1943 Ford M8 armored car on Bring in a 1945 GMC DUKW Amphibious Trailer and Truck via an Ohio-based war surplus company.
1943 Ford M8 armored car
The M8 “Greyhound” is often overshadowed by the original Jeep and Sherman M4 tank, but this armored car combines many of the features of these better-known WWII stable mates. The M8’s 6X6 configuration made it well suited for light reconnaissance like the Jeep, while an armored body and 37mm main gun gave it both defensive and offensive capabilities like a tank.
The seller reports that the M8 is not working and that there is no information on the last time the vehicle was operated. Running the Greyhound can be a project, but think about the looks you’ll get at the next Cars & Coffee event. There’s also no word on the status of the primary weapon, but it’s safe to assume the system was disabled before a civilian took over.
The powertrain is based on a 320 cubic inch Hercules JXD inline six gasoline engine originally designed for 86 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed unsynchronized transmission with reverse manages the wheels.
[1945GMCDUKWamphibioustruck
While the DUKW amphibious truck shares a 6X6 setup with the M8, that’s pretty much where the similarities end. The 2.5 ton DUKW (Dsigned in 1942, Utility, “K“for four-wheel drive, and”W”For the double rear axle) was written by famous yacht designer Roderick Stephans in 1937.
The DUKW was the solution that US military planners were looking for to quickly get personnel and supplies from the ship to shore. The DUKW also played an important role in the victorious crossing of the Rhine in 1945. Over 21,000 examples were built for US and Allied forces, and the DUKW would enter service with the US military in the 1960s.
Details provided by the seller on this DUKW are slim, except that the vehicle has undergone a full restoration. The original models were equipped with a 270 cubic inch GM inline six gasoline engine and a five-speed manual transmission. Different transfer gears control either the axles or the driveshaft. The DUKW could reach 50 mph on land and 6 mph in water.
Ford and General Motors have created “the arsenal of democracy”
While Ford and GM remain national rivals, these companies (as well as other automakers) helped create the “arsenal of democracy” that enabled the Allies to win in the war. The Ford M8 Greyhound auction, which ends in one day, currently has a high bid of $ 32,000. The GMC DUKW has an asking price of $ 95,000.
Sources: bringatrailer.com, nsjp.biz, Militaryfactory.com, Militarytrader.com
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