GENERAL TOPICS > D.O.T.

The story of a old M37 Dodge and some local Veterns...

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OldKooT:
About 10 years ago my wife who works daily with older folks in our community calls me from work and asked that I drop everything and head to her place of employment, there is someone she wants me to meet. So Curious, and because I wasn't doing much anyway, I drove over.

Walking through the door I was greeted by my wife and about 10 older gentleman from the area, some of who I know, some I did not. They were all very excited...They were clearly all Veterans, the assorted ball caps with units and branches of the service they had served with were a obvious sign.

One gentleman shakes my hand and gets right to business. He explains that they all have a fondness for a certain truck that needs to be saved and my wife felt I could help. Turns out the fire department had a pair of M37 Dodge troop carriers that they had owned since the 70's. The trucks were purchased from the Sioux Reservation about 1971 by the gentleman who was speaking, at a time when he was the fire chief. They had bought 3 trucks, used one as a brush truck, and the other two sat in a old hanger in a corner since 1971.

One of the trucks had a personal attachment to this bunch. It was used in Korea by the eldest man in the room and hauled the mail to the troops closer to the front lines. He had driven the truck personally during his tour there. It was a fluke that when he shipped home for reasons unknown, that truck was also shipped stateside on the same ship. He was sure it was the original truck because not only did he know the hood number by heart but it had two bullet holes in it that it acquired while he was driving it. There are many stories this bunch had to tell about this old truck in Korea, and how they had found it and got it "home" but suffice to say it was important to them. And none of them had the $$$ to buy it from the city. So.....like a troop of geriatric teenagers, they all loaded into this old short bus they all use to get around, and we went to take a look at this truck.

First time I saw this pair of trucks I was totally shocked. One was almost pristine, the other had 4 flat tires, no canvas and well looked like it had sat for ages. The other one had air in the tires, and looked like it ran. The gentleman I had spoken with earlier points to the nice one and says proudly ,that's the old girl, still has 1951 air in the tires. Looking inside I found some shell casings and a Turkish match book and a old map.

Again lots transpired, but in the end, I had to buy both trucks to get the one and I did. I got the roll back and hauled them home and parked them in the shed next to my other M37 and M715.

A week latter these old fellas show up with two batteries, a tool box and coveralls on...they intended to make it run again. Well after about 6 hours they had it running, and they all took turns driving it around the farm with no brakes and a smoking clutch LoL

Fast forward to Veterans day that year...a week before the parade, they asked if they could use the truck in the parade. I told them please do but it has no brakes so how did they intend to fix that issue. Again long story short,  my wife called a Military surplus place and ordered a clutch, brake parts, and a new canvas top for it and had it shipped next day. (she spends my money like water when on a mission)

So we got it in shape and they drove it in the parade. A week latter the gentleman that drove the truck in Korea passed away. His "boys" insisted my wife play taps at his burial, and they insisted they drive her to the burial at the cemetery in that old truck he loved so much.

It sat until Veterans day the following year...they once again asked to borrow it and once again we made it run, and they had a blast. This time a little too much fun...after the parade they all went to the VFW drank who knows what and decided to go to dairy queen in the M37. I got a phone call from the local Police that I had to come get the truck...it was sitting on the side of the road with a oil slick under it. Turns out they had the troop seats full of Drunken Vets with ice cream, and had it wide open when the the engine blew. They all bailed out and ran/hobbled for it LMAO

They all came over the next weekend, tore the front clip off of it and started to remove the engine...it's sat like that ever since. The Lord has taken many of them since then...my wife has played taps many times..and well it sits to this day.

Present day, I have been trying to give the truck to the VFW for ages...they can't apparently own a truck. I have tried giving it to a few of the Vets, most are in assisted living of  some sort so that didn't work either. 

So recently I mentioned I may just toss some big tires on it, a hot rod engine and use it to one of the Vets. A few days latter my wife calls and tells me the "boys' are all clamoring that it may run again and this time with a big engine and they are wondering if they can drive it in the parade and show the "brats" (the local guard unit) that the Hummer they drive in the parades is just a hummer.

So with some spare time, some luck and undoubtedly a few geriatric helpers, we are going to get the old wreck back in action...

It's a win win for me, I always wanted to build a M37 "toy" but they are getting more and more valuable and the other two I own are very early serial numbers..not the kinda trucks you modify. This old truck I never really considered mine because it is s entrenched in the hearts of those old guys, it's just what it is. But... realizing many of them are gone, the rest are hardly spring chickens and all they care about is its not "junked" well....time we just make this happen for all involved.

anyway that's the story in short.... I told them I wasn't sure if I could do what I plan to do before the V day parade...they didn't even care, they are talking big plans to ride in it in every parade LoL And I really dislike parades...but seeing those old boys all riled up is worth it.

swbhobie16:
its almost the least you can do for some men who gave so much. not to mention just how much fun they will have working on the ol girl again. if i were in your shoes, i'd set up a video camera with gold audio in the shop to capture all that transpires and the stories being swapped around. can't wait to see this come together.. but my vote will always be a direct injected oil burning turbo in whatever size flavor you desire. hahah

EL TATE:
I think you two should definitely collaborate on this one  ;)

Sammconn:
That is a cool story.
Can't wait...

KensAuto:
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