1954 Dodge M37 Power Wagon US Army Jeep Military Ambulance 4X4

Make:	Dodge
Model:	M37 Powerwagon Ambulance
SubModel:	M37
Year:	1954
Mileage:	999,999
VIN:	82662369
Engine:	Six Cylinder Flathead
Transmission:	Manual
Drive type:	4WD
Vehicle Title:	Clear
Item location:	Green Valley, Arizona, United States

1954 Dodge M37 Powerwagon Ambulance Additional Info:

1954 Dodge M37 Military Ambulance 3/4 Ton
Original, 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 right
side 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 engine
Four-Speed Manual Transmission (granny gear first)
Two Speed Transfer Case
Four-Wheel Drive with Warn locking hubs
Good Points:
Runs very well
Maintains 45 - 50 PSI oil pressure at all operating speeds when fully warmed up
Runs a steady 180 degrees always, even climbing steep grades or idling for long periods in the hot Arizona desert
Transmission shifts very well
Clutch 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 well
Steering tight and relatively light
All 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.)
Modifications
12 Volt alternator, heavy duty receiver hitch for towing and trailer brakes fitted.
Bad Points
RUST - 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 missing
Although 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