1937 Ford Panel Delivery

Other

8 - Cyl.

Manual

Clear

Gasoline

ABSOLUTE NO RESERVE AUCTION! HIGH BIDDER WINS! The Leatherneck Express 1937 Ford Panel Delivery restored as U.S. Marine Corps recruiting vehicle, circa 1940 This may be the most unique vehicle ever offered for sale on eBay! This is a one-of-a-kind U.S. Marine recruiting vehicle from the days of WWII. Or at least, that's the "Legend" of The Leatherneck Express (see more on the "Legend" below). Check out the fabulous website (copy & paste): www.LeatherneckExpress.com IMPORTANT UPDATE: All graphics on The Leatherneck Express are premium-quality 3M products. Should a new owner so desire, the graphics can be easily removed and the paint buffed out to eliminate any evidence of the previous graphics. New graphics can then be installed to suit your tastes. Could be a terrific advertising vehicle for a restaurant, lodge, garage or small business. And it would be tax-deductible! Frame-off restoration 2002 - 2004: Rebuilt chassis, differential, suspension, shocksRebuilt brakes (hydraulics added)Rebuilt Ford 59A Flathead V8 engineRebuilt 1939 Ford 3-speed transmissionRadiator professionally cleaned; new hoses, clamps, belts New high-volume water pumpsNew high-volume electric radiator fanFuel tank professionally cleaned and linedRebuilt Stromberg carburetorNew mechanical & electronic fuel pumpsConverted to 12-volt electrical systemNew wiring throughoutNew alternatorNew MSD electronic ignition & MSD Ignition Box; new coilNew panhard suspension barNew headers (Fenton), mufflers & dual exhaustRechromed grill, bumpers & windshield trimNew glass throughoutNew rear deck wood (oak) and skid stripsInterior & cargo area fully insulatedNew rubber door sealsOriginal 1937 seats professionally reupholstered Headliner, door & cargo-area panels professionally installedNew floor matBody professionally painted & striped with PPG base/clear paint systemMarine graphics professionally installedDash gauges professionally rebuiltNew side mirrorsNew CD player, 2 interior speakers, 2 exterior stadium speakers installedSound system features custom CD with Marine & patriotic musicMarines’ Hymn musical horn installedCustom storage box installed in rear cargo areaNew 600 x 16 Firestone tires & tubesExtra wheel, new spare tire & tube in cargo area, with USMC cover NOS Ford hubcaps & new trim ringsCustom-made California Car CoverRESTORATION SUMMARY: The Leatherneck Express is cosmetically and mechanically excellent. Paint quality is superb. Equipped with MSD electronic ignition, Fenton headers and dual exhaust, the engine runs very strong. High-volume electric radiator fan ensures trouble-free performance, even during 95-degree "parade duty" on the 4th of July (engine temperature: 160 degrees!) BOO-BOOS: The horn and the windshield washer motor are not wired in. Included in the sale is a new "Mighty Mite" wiper motor kit that I've just never bothered to install. (A bit of Rain-X on the windshield is all I've ever needed.) SOUND SYSTEM: Because The Leatherneck Express was designed and built for "parade duty," the truck features a CD player with an external and internal sound system. The external "stadium style" speakers attach quickly and easily to the front and rear bumpers. The Speakers install in seconds, and are removed and stored in the truck's cargo area during transport. A special CD has been created that features Marine and other patriotic music, including: The Marines' Hymn, Tell It To The Marines, Semper Fidelis, The Marines' Song, Washington Post March, Over There, Stars & Stripes Forever, God Bless America, You're a Grand Old Flag, and many, many more! Parade crowds love this music! They stand and cheer! BONUS SOUND: In addition to the CD-based sound system, The Leatherneck Express is also equipped with a hidden air horn that plays (loud!) the first verse of The Marines' Hymn. Just press a button on the key fob and enjoy! WEBSITE: Be sure to spend some time examining my web site: www.LeatherneckExpress.com. It includes all sorts of information about the vehicle, the places it has been, and the acclaim it has received. The site also has much information about the Marine Corps and about Marine-related organizations. This custom website is included in the purchase! BONUS STUFF: Also included in the sale is a custom-made car cover from California Car Cover Co., all license plate toppers on the truck, the "crew" consisting of Lil' Smedley and Lil' Chesty (see photos), and a supply of custom magnetic business cards that feature a photo of The Leatherneck Express and list its website address. What does the Marine Corps think of The Leatherneck Express? They love it because it helps USMC recruiting! The vehicle has made a huge splash since its public debut at the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. Check out these major invited public appearances: Marine Corps Marathon, Washington, D.C.Grand Opening, National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, VirginiaGraduation Ceremonies, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South CarolinaBlue Angels Air Show, Naval Air Station, Kingsville, TexasCommemorative Air Force Show, San Marcos, TexasPerformance of Marine "Battle Color Detachment" (Drum & Bugle Corps, Silent Drill Platoon, Color Guard) Fredericksburg, TexasNational Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C.Air Show, Andrews Air Force Base, MarylandBattle of Flowers Parade (4 times), San Antonio, Texas Marines at the Alamo Concert (2 times), San Antonio, TexasKeels ‘n Wheels Concours d’Elegance, Seabrook, Texas (Winner: Best in Class) Wounded Warriors Golf Tournament (2 times), Kerrville, TexasWWII Airbird Fly-in, Fredericksburg, TexasNumerous other parades, patriotic special events, displays, etc. The Leatherneck Express has garnered widespread acclaim in the news media, including USA TODAY!Check out these examples:(For details, copy & paste): http://leatherneckexpress.com/newsclips/index.html USA TODAY photo feature, October, 2010 (copy & paste): http://mediagallery.usatoday.com/Car--stories/The-Leatherneck-Express/A7535 TV news coverage (copy & paste): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjZB0y5k8SIV8 Times, cover story, January/February 2005, published by Early Ford V8 ClubThe Bulb Horn, March / April 2005, published by Veteran Motor Car Club of AmericaCars & Parts, August 2005Vintage Truck, February 2006Leatherneck - The Magazine of the Marines, March 2006The Boot, November 2004, published by U.S. Marine CorpsChevron, December 2004, published by U.S. Marine CorpsRunners Web, August, 2004 As news of The Leatherneck Express has spread,VIPs have sent autographed photos and letters of encouragement!(For details, copy & paste): http://leatherneckexpress.com/fanmail/index.htmle VIP Autographed Photos/Letters Received: The Honorable Richard Cheney, Vice President of the United StatesThe Honorable First Lady Laura BushAdmiral Michael Mullen, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of StaffGeneral Peter Pace, USMC, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of StaffGeneral James E. Cartwright, USMC, Vice-Chairman, Joint Chiefs of StaffGeneral James T. Conway, USMC, Commandant of the Marine CorpsGeneral Michael W. Hagee, USMC, Commandant of the Marine CorpsGeneral W. L. Nyland, USMC, Assistant Commandant of the Marine CorpsMajor General C. Cortez, USMC, Commanding General, USMC Recruiting CommandSgtMaj John L. Estrada, USMC, Sergeant Major of the Marine CorpsSgt. Chesty XII, USMC, Global Mascot, United States Marine CorpsLt. Gen. Ron Christmas, USMC (Ret.), President, Marine Corps Heritage FoundationHelen Hicks, National Commandant, Marine Corps LeagueColonel J. W. Davis, USMC (Ret.), Vice President, Marine Corps AssociationGunnery Sergeant R. Lee Ermey, USMC (Ret.), TV & film host / actorThe Honorable John Cornyn, United States Senator – TexasThe Honorable Craig Thomas, United States Senator – WyomingThe Honorable Lamar Smith, United States Representative - TexasThe Honorable Amo Houghton, United States Representative – New YorkThe Leatherneck Express is being offered for sale because I am anxious to begin a new project. Perhaps the new owner will be a Marine...or at least a friend of Marines. Regardless of whose bid wins, the new owner will posses a vehicle like none other! The Leatherneck Express will continue to honor all Americans who have served in our nation's armed forces! Now, what about that "Legend" of The Leatherneck Express? It is true that as far back as 1917 the Marine Corps used special vehicles to assist in recruiting efforts, particularly in rural areas. I created The Leatherneck Express in that spirit, building what I believe might have been a recruiting vehicle for use in the late 1930s to early 1940s. That's why I used period-correct recruiting posters. On my website (www.LeatherneckExpress.com) you will find the following whimsical tale, which I call the "Legend of The Leatherneck Express." Be assured that the details described in this tale are the products of my imagination. But you must admit: It's a terrific story! The imaginary legend* of The Leatherneck Express As the 1930s drew to a close, the winds of war were blowing across the globe, and Americans realized they would soon be at war in both Europe and the Pacific. Recognizing the need for thousands of fresh recruits, the United States Marine Corps launched an unprecedented recruiting drive. To help carry the Marines’ message, six 1937-1939 Ford panel trucks were outfitted as mobile recruiting offices. Painted Marine scarlet and gold, the trucks were outfitted with external sound systems and emblazoned with colorful graphics and recruiting posters. Two recruiters were assigned to each truck, and they participated in hundreds of community parades and festivals. They also visited high schools and colleges, allowing the two-man teams to enlist young men on the spot. Recruiters often spent a month or more traveling in their panel trucks, using the vehicles as mobile motels as well as offices. When World War II ended in 1945, the trucks were sold as surplus. None were seen again until 1999, when this 1937 model was discovered in a barn in northeast Colorado. It was transported to Texas, where it underwent a comprehensive frame-off restoration. Now known as The Leatherneck Express, the vehicle appears today exactly as it did in 1939, when it began service as a mobile Marine Corps recruiting office. Today The Leatherneck Express is once again crisscrossing America in search of young men of courage and high character with the mettle to be Marines. Semper Fi! *Legend: An unverified popular story handed down from earlier times. IMPORTANT WARNING: Do not bid on The Leatherneck Express if you are uncomfortable having strangers honk, wave, smile, and give you a thumbs up as you drive past them. Do not bid if you find it unpleasant to be the "star" of the parade. Do not bid if you dislike winning "Best of Show" trophies. In short, be advised that The Leatherneck Express is an attention-getter like none other. So if you don't like having fun, please do not bid!FINANCIAL & BUSINESS MATTERS: The Leatherneck Express is being offered at no reserve and will be sold to the highest bidder. Payment of the winning bid will be in cash or by wire transfer to my bank. An initial payment of $2,000 will be required within 48 hours of close of bidding, and the balance of the purchase price will be due six days after the close of bidding. The vehicle is available for inspection in Kerrville, Texas, which is about one hour's drive north of San Antonio. The vehicle is offered with no warranty, expressed or implied. If you have questions, contact me at ttorget@gmail.com or 830-377-5483. I reserve the right to cancel this auction at any time for any reason. Buyer is responsible for pickup and shipping. Thank you for your interest.God Bless America! Semper Fi!