datadawg
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- Bucks County, PA
Guys,
I'm trying to purchase an M16 Half Track and need some advice. The M16 I'm looking at is in Europe, had nut and bolt restoration by owner, firm at $65K. It's an original M16 with original WWII armor, original Maxson turret with four repro quad 50's. Owner says he used NOS parts throughout in restoration, other than fabricating SS fuel tanks and rear outside boxes. Detail on condition and restoration:
1. Engine, was totally rebuilt, with all new bearings, pistons, rings, valves & valve springs all the bores have st/st liners, crank & head has been re ground. New exhaust system. All the ancillaries have been rebuilt or nos. The Radiator & surge tank are also nos.
2. Gearbox & transfer box have new seals & gaskets.
3. All new brakes, brake cylinders & brake lines.
4. Complete new wiring harness from Maine. And all nos lights front & back. The rear lights also have in built indicators.
5. Tracks have not been replaced, only some of the road wheels have been replaced, because the others didn't need doing. It does have spare road wheels.
6. Interior, everything works. All the clocks, light & pull switches, horn button, glove box keys & compass, torch brackets & rifle brackets etc etc are original. All the seats & cab cover have new canvas.
7. Back interior, Seller claims his is the only original wartime M16 in Europe, though I have no idea if that is true. I did find some M16 units stored for 30 years in Belgium, so I presume those are original and that makes me doubt this is the only "original" M16 in Europe. The Belgian units would obviously need full restoration, a huge investment of time, money and energy... Y
8. This has the tombstone ammo racks, inc underfloor & rear drivers boxes . Both fuel tanks are newly made ST/ST tanks as well as the fuel tank covers. All the fuel lines are also new. Original radio table, grenade & machine gun boxes. First aid brackets & armored first aid kit. Aerial mounts. 50 cal spare barrel mounts (NOT barrels). And both the correct rear storage boxes (which I think were reproduced) and bucket & bracket. It has the correct wartime radio c/w commanders intercom box & mic.
9. Maxson turret is complete with 4 x replica 50 cals & 4 tomstone ammo boxes. Correct rare early gun sight. Nos motor controls, wiring, nos turret bearings, nos seat canvas. It manually rotates & elevates but doesn't run with the electric motor (I can't tell if it's missing or he has it and it needs to be rebuilt and reconnected).
So, the advice I need is this:,
1) Is the price reasonable or am I overpaying? By the time I bring it here, I'll be lucky if I don't exceed $70K. I don't think the Auction America sale of Littlefield's M16 is a reasonable comp, since I assume whoever bought that for $220K was off his meds.
2) Is it better to get an unrestored M16 and have it restored, so you know exactly what was done? What is a good price for an unrestored unit? (not M16A1 with post WWII modified armor, but an actual M16 with fold down armor).
3) I do want a fully overhauled HT that I can use and enjoy. I do not have time, motivation, knowledge or skill to restore one. If I buy a "project" in Europe, is it better to have it restored there or in US (better in terms of expense, expertise and access to parts).
I tried to post some photos but couldn't. Might have to do it in separate post.
I'm trying to purchase an M16 Half Track and need some advice. The M16 I'm looking at is in Europe, had nut and bolt restoration by owner, firm at $65K. It's an original M16 with original WWII armor, original Maxson turret with four repro quad 50's. Owner says he used NOS parts throughout in restoration, other than fabricating SS fuel tanks and rear outside boxes. Detail on condition and restoration:
1. Engine, was totally rebuilt, with all new bearings, pistons, rings, valves & valve springs all the bores have st/st liners, crank & head has been re ground. New exhaust system. All the ancillaries have been rebuilt or nos. The Radiator & surge tank are also nos.
2. Gearbox & transfer box have new seals & gaskets.
3. All new brakes, brake cylinders & brake lines.
4. Complete new wiring harness from Maine. And all nos lights front & back. The rear lights also have in built indicators.
5. Tracks have not been replaced, only some of the road wheels have been replaced, because the others didn't need doing. It does have spare road wheels.
6. Interior, everything works. All the clocks, light & pull switches, horn button, glove box keys & compass, torch brackets & rifle brackets etc etc are original. All the seats & cab cover have new canvas.
7. Back interior, Seller claims his is the only original wartime M16 in Europe, though I have no idea if that is true. I did find some M16 units stored for 30 years in Belgium, so I presume those are original and that makes me doubt this is the only "original" M16 in Europe. The Belgian units would obviously need full restoration, a huge investment of time, money and energy... Y
8. This has the tombstone ammo racks, inc underfloor & rear drivers boxes . Both fuel tanks are newly made ST/ST tanks as well as the fuel tank covers. All the fuel lines are also new. Original radio table, grenade & machine gun boxes. First aid brackets & armored first aid kit. Aerial mounts. 50 cal spare barrel mounts (NOT barrels). And both the correct rear storage boxes (which I think were reproduced) and bucket & bracket. It has the correct wartime radio c/w commanders intercom box & mic.
9. Maxson turret is complete with 4 x replica 50 cals & 4 tomstone ammo boxes. Correct rare early gun sight. Nos motor controls, wiring, nos turret bearings, nos seat canvas. It manually rotates & elevates but doesn't run with the electric motor (I can't tell if it's missing or he has it and it needs to be rebuilt and reconnected).
So, the advice I need is this:,
1) Is the price reasonable or am I overpaying? By the time I bring it here, I'll be lucky if I don't exceed $70K. I don't think the Auction America sale of Littlefield's M16 is a reasonable comp, since I assume whoever bought that for $220K was off his meds.
2) Is it better to get an unrestored M16 and have it restored, so you know exactly what was done? What is a good price for an unrestored unit? (not M16A1 with post WWII modified armor, but an actual M16 with fold down armor).
3) I do want a fully overhauled HT that I can use and enjoy. I do not have time, motivation, knowledge or skill to restore one. If I buy a "project" in Europe, is it better to have it restored there or in US (better in terms of expense, expertise and access to parts).
I tried to post some photos but couldn't. Might have to do it in separate post.
