1942 Autocar

This truck was built by Autocar in 1942 as an M3 75 Gun Motor Carriage and was converted to M3A1 half-track specification during World War II. It is finished in olive drab over tan canvas upholstery, and power is sent to both axles via a 386ci White 160AX gasoline inline-six paired with a non-synchronized four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Features include folding window armor, a passenger-side armored machine gun pulpit mount, and troop seating for 10. Service performed in preparation for the sale included an oil change and a carburetor cleaning. This M3A1 was acquired by the current owner in 2019 and is now offered on their behalf by the seller in Los Angeles, California with removed windshield glass, rear top bows, and a bill of sale. The M3 half-track was based on the earlier M2, and the design was standardized for the US Military in 1940. The truck was manufactured in several dozen configurations by White, Diamond T, and Autocar between 1941 and 1945. This example was reportedly converted to M3A1 half-track specification between March 1944 and June 1945 and is finished in olive drab with white stars. Areas of paintwork are noted by the seller. Features include manually operated radiator shutters, a front unditching roller, folding window armor, a passenger-side raised-pulpit M49 machine gun ring mount, and .25″ body armor all around. The removed windshield glass panels are included in the sale along with a set of rear top bows. The front multi-piece steel wheels are mounted with 8.25-20 Specialty Tires of America military-style tires, while the rear features rubber-coated steel treads. The suspension features elliptical springs up front and vertical volute springs out back. Braking is handled by hydraulically assisted drums. The cockpit features seats trimmed in tan canvas and diamond-plate steel floors. The three-spoke steering wheel fronts a painted steel dash that houses an aftermarket 4k-rpm tachometer and silver instrumentation including an 80-mph speedometer and a combination gauge with readouts for fuel level, amperage, oil pressure, and water temperature. The numbers on the five-digit odometer have weathered away, and total mileage is unknown. The fuel-level gauge does not work. The rear passenger area features inward-facing benches with seating for 10. The White Motor Company-sourced 386ci 160AX gasoline inline-six was factory rated at 147 horsepower. An oil change was performed and the carburetor was cleaned in preparation for the sale. Power is sent to the rear or both axles via a non-synchronized four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Dual fuel tanks are fitted, and corrosion is noted underneath.