M3 on Ebay

[cal.bar]

SO.... this one looks like it might actually be a deal if it really does "run good" as the seller claims.  What issues do you guys see with it? (guy also has an M8 that "runs good" but he wants 70K.)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-wIi-M3-half-track-getting-scarce-runs-and-drives-good/382423694593?hash=item590a3a7d01:g:HnoAAOSwxfdavOw-&vxp=mtr

[coreyelliott]

I'm really new to the half track world, so I know that others will chime in with all of the correct info and educate me; however, something doesn't look right with the rear armor.  The data plate shows that this is an M16, but I don't think that this is the correct rear armor for an M16.  I believe those had short fold down walls to give the guns clearance.  The rear paint looks different than the front, too.  Lastly, we don't see any pictures of the inside of the bed. 

I don't think that any of these things are big problems, but you asked for issues and these are what I notice at first glance.

Corey

[woodwalker]

For 30k his pictures are vague and blurry
No shots of interior no shots of rear door
No closeup of anything of value
He may be  horrible at  advertising or he's being coy

[Outsider]

He says it needs fuel tanks and troop seats. Also noticed it hasn't moved in years. Tires and tracks are sunk in the dirt. Looks like regulator is shot, and possibly the generator as well.

Steve

[steve-0]

its an m16A1 which is an m3 converted so the rear armor style is correct....don't know if its original

the paint is not original as stated ... looks like someone gave it a paint job 10-20 years ago... the paint under the hood is original.

someone may have died and relatives selling it.... that may be the reason they didn't take better pics of the rear section (they don't know) which is most important to us

also when you paint over original paint it looks shady as in the front of this halftrack
when you paint over new premiered steel it looks as shown..... so the rear may be reproduction

[WayOffTrack]

There are no footman loops on the rear armor so if the armor is original it is probably made post war for the M16A1 program and it has an M16A1 data plate. My guess is it's an M15A1 converted to M16A1 in 1953. Can't tell for sure without better pictures. Further evidence is the windshield armor is the Autocar and Diamond T style.

[steve-0]

in one of the pics it shows a corner of the rear armor with rust pitting ... that would suggest its original.. at least that piece
screws every witch way is autocar if I remember right.. but it went through a rebuild so who knows

[8683jb]

I’m still learnin’…what’s different about the White windshield armor vs Autocar and Diamond T? Thanks.
Jon

[WayOffTrack]

I’m still learnin’…what’s different about the White windshield armor vs Autocar and Diamond T? Thanks.
Jon

It's very minor but the hole for the wiper driveshaft is cut all the way thru the outside edge with the bevel on White Halftracks and Scoutcars. Autocar and Diamond T used a hole that does not penetrate the edge.

[8683jb]

Thanks for the info! Shoot, here I thought I knew everything!

[WayOffTrack]

Thanks for the info! Shoot, here I thought I knew everything!

Glad to help I'm still learning too it's fun stuff.

[Outsider]

There are no footman loops on the rear armor so if the armor is original it is probably made post war for the M16A1 program and it has an M16A1 data plate. My guess is it's an M15A1 converted to M16A1 in 1953. Can't tell for sure without better pictures. Further evidence is the windshield armor is the Autocar and Diamond T style.

I think you are right on originally being a M15 or M15A1 as it has angle iron for the perimeter rail in the back, not the standard M3 perimeter rail.

My guess is he is selling someone else's collection off. Unfortunately it looks like all of this stuff has been sitting out in the weather for the last 20 years or so.

Steve

[woodwalker]

I have had a m2 A1 that had a 3in angle iron for the perimeter rail. Holes were drilled for foot man loops and they were bent wire. This was a military conversion not something done after it was surplused

[spec4don]

After looking at the pictures especially the dash, I agree this has been setting for a number of years. The french speedo has no miles on it so probably not hooked up. It would be interesting to see pictures of the back.

Lots of good stuff there, but lots of work to do also. No bids so far.

Don G.

[WayOffTrack]

I think you are right on originally being a M15 or M15A1 as it has angle iron for the perimeter rail in the back, not the standard M3 perimeter rail.

Yep I missed that. All the M15/A1 to M16A1 conversions I've seen had that angle iron style without the rolled edge. Some of them even had rear doors made from 2 pieces bolted together with a batten in the middle.