1954 Dodge M37 Powerwagon Ambulance

M37

Six Cylinder Flathead

Manual

82662369

Clear

1954 Dodge M37 Military Ambulance 3/4 TonOriginal, authentic and unrestored.Known History: Has been in Arizona for the past 18 years at least.This M37 was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group Airborne -5 S F G P- A B ( MARKED on rightside of front bumper)The left side of front bumper shows DET ( for detachment) Difficult to read all the DET letters on drivers side.The 5th SFGP unit served in Viet-Nam.All Special Forces are headquartered and trained at Fort Bragg NC. Six-Cylinder "Mopar" flathead engineFour-Speed Manual Transmission (granny gear first)Two Speed Transfer CaseFour-Wheel Drive with Warn locking hubsGood Points:Runs very wellMaintains 45 - 50 PSI oil pressure at all operating speeds when fully warmed upRuns a steady 180 degrees always, even climbing steep grades or idling for long periods in the hot Arizona desertTransmission shifts very wellClutch operates perfectly - no chatter, no slipping.Transfer case operates well in both ranges - in low range you could probably tow a railroad locomotive or climb up a straight wall if traction were available!Brakes work wellSteering tight and relatively lightAll original equipment is intact.Registered as a van.My classic car insurance is only$67 per six months.Lots of storage and carrying capacity - would make a great Vintage Race support/paddock vehicle! Just imagine this at Goodwood or Silverstone!!Tremendous fun to drive - it elicits smiles and conversations even from people who are not "car people" and veterans, particularly Viet Nam vets have such tremendous emotional and positive reaction to this vehicle - you feel like you've really brightened their day when they see it!This looks huge but it's an optical illusion - at only 16.5 feet in length it's shorter than most 3/4 ton pickups and no higher than such a pickup truck with a utility rack so very easy to park and maneuver in city. traffic. I drive it to work, to the grocery store and to haul building supplies.Driving experience is quite like a 1930's era Rolls-Royce limousine, apart from not being RHD - the driving position is much the same (I'm 5"10" & 250 lbs and I fit fine) - vertical and near the steering wheel (what is called - the 'Sit Up and Beg' position.) Anyone who's driven an old early post-war Ford Pop will also know what I mean. The gears shift easy, and so long as you're just rolling, the steering is light, precise (but does require quite a few turns lock to lock, and no, I've never counted).Great parts support. Mechanically it uses the classic Mopar flathead six-cylinder engine built from the mid 1930s right up until the introduction of the early Chrysler Hemi's. All the parts are still available and very cheap (at least when compared to my old Rolls!)When you watch the videos, keep in mind the engine was running the entire time - it's as quiet as a Rolls (nearly.)Modifications12 Volt alternator, heavy duty receiver hitch for towing and trailer brakes fitted.Bad PointsRUST - along bottom edges of the top - this seems common to a number of these that I've seen. Must be a design flaw that collected water, even here in the desert! The only other rust out is the lower left corner of the cab. Otherwise everything is solid, undamaged with just a patina of surface rust.Broken right rear window and right front windshield. But both are simple flat pieces of glass.Wiper blades worn or "perished" Round tail light lenses missingAlthough the prior owner swore they worked, I have yet to figure out how to get the all lights to work so I know only for a fact that the turn signals, brake lights and instrument panel lights operate.Rear tires worn to the point of needing immediate replacement.While a great "around town" vehicle and with a claimed top speed of 55 mph, it is best to keep it down to 35 mph. I've been told sustained high speeds are a good way to wear the con rod bearings quickly. There is an aftermarket source for higher differential gears so that modern cruising speeds are attainable. You can contact me with questions in Tucson. 52O 7I9 5252. All paperwork in order for easy export. I do have a complete operators and maintenance manual in PDF format.See video below of vehicle in action!https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21ABzw4zaC_UoT4hA&cid=B39FB69540A7DDC1&id=B39FB69540A7DDC1%212681&parId=B39FB69540A7DDC1%211351&o=OneUp