XM??? Armored Car

[bigbee]

Hey Rory,

See this on your signature line---XM???---If you post up some pics we may be able to help put a number to it. I am a wheeled armor fan and would love to help find its history.

Brian

 

[M813rc]

Hi Brian,
We hijacked a bit of Peter's "Greetings from Denmark' thread yesterday and put in a couple of pics on there. I don't know how to put a neat link to it here, I just tried and got a horrible mess!
Anyway, the designation XM704 has been proposed, but I can find nothing to confirm or deny that one. It was supposedly a prototype convoy escort type vehicle for Vietnam c.1966, but didn't make the cut.
David Doyle has also kindly offered some ID/history assistance, anything you guys can come up with would be great, and I thank you for the help.
Cheers,
Rory

 

[Boatcarpenter]

Try this and scroll down
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=15304&start=20

 

[M813rc]

Neat and tidy link, thank you! Mine came out in a string a mile long, I'm sure it was the computers fault, not..ahem...mine.

 

[bigbee]

Thanks for the link, BC. It looks like a cross between an early V100 Commando and a Panhard VBL. What are the chances it's not on its original chassis? That frame sticking out in front just doesn't look natural.

 

[Boatcarpenter]

Hey Rory, I know exactly what you mean about the computer screwing up; mine does that to me all the time

 

[M813rc]

Glad to know I'm not the only one that happens to BC.

There are several 'un-natural' aspects to the vehicle, I guess mainly because it was a prototype, and also because it has been molested by previous owners who added/moved bits in odd places. They've had around 40 years to mess with it.
The chassis is an M43, with GM gasoline engine and transmission. The transfer case is MIA, along with the front driveshaft. The front frame extension actually used to have a winch mounted there, up close you can see where it was removed, so with that in mind it makes more sense sticking out like that. I will replace the winch in time.
I agree that there are quite a few V100 features to it. I figure if the timeframe I was told is correct (c.1966), the V100/M706 is what won the toss for production. This thing is smaller and much lighter duty than a V100. It is definitely much tighter inside too, which is apparently why the PD that had it for their SWAT team rejected it.
If I can't find proper references for the vehicle as it once was, I will base some of my fixup details on the V100 and the rather basic drawings I found for the Chrysler Light Armored Car in an old book . That may actually be what this is, both show to have the same wheelbase/track and general dimensions, and do look quite similar.
Anyway, I have 40 years worth of other folks embuggerations to undo on this thing! It will take me a while to sort it all out.
Cheers...R

 

[M813rc]

Here is a pic of the Chrysler Light Armored car from the 1966 book. Best I can do right now, but I think you can see the similarities with the drawing. The book lists it as a proposal, maybe what I have is the manifestation of that proposal in metal.

I don't know how much it weighs, probably around 10,000# but that is a guess.

Cheers.

 

[jasonjc]

kinda looks like this thing on epay

 

[bigbee]

missing fenders

the extended flat fenders in the drawing would explain the protrusion of the tires from the body.

Have fun, keep us updated, please.

And jasonjc, that thing on e-pay looks like its based on a Chevy Vega Wagon!

 

[M813rc]

I agree on the fenders. I had already decided that it needed them, then I found that picture and was pleased to see that they were almost exactly what I had imagined. I had figured on the front ones being a bit longer on top, but we'll see.
I'll share the progress. So far I have got it to kinda run, and barely stop, and gathered a bunch of bits to fix it up. Hopefully work on it will go quicker in the cool months.

Cheers

 

[kcimb]

You said you found this at a scrapyard...Where on earth do you go? The scraps I frequent pretty much only had passenger vehicles.

 

[Cdub]

Hi Rory,

Here's a posting of the pic for ya.........I didn't know you had one of these bad boys ....SWEEE----T

Cheers,

C'dub

 

[M813rc]

Thanks Craig, i guess I should have done that to start with.
I hadn't said much about this vehicle because 1- I really didn't know much about it; and 2- It's still pretty ugly, and as of yet undrivable for more than a few yards. The engine is pretty well shot.
Cats out of the bag now though. Like Sarge said, I have big plans! It just has to be done right. In the absence of proper references (as of yet, I'm not even sure what it is) anything I do to it would have to be carefully thought out and researched for at least plausable accuracy based on similar vehicles from the period. I'm okay with ideas, but a bit short on the manufacturing side (I now pause to bow deeply and respectfully in the direction of Jones and Baby Hemtt) so I am having to learn new skills to be able to apply them properly. So, slowly it goes!

Kcimb, there are quite a few junkyards around here with a lot of military stuff in them, you just have to look hard into each one you pass to see if there is a gem or two to be had. I guess it's because Fort Hood is just up the road.

Cheers

 

[Cdub]

Hi Rory,

That was very well said. I like your approach toward the restoration. I feel very much like your self when it comes to the research and getting the project done as the way it was during the time of use. It sounds like you've got a lot of work ahead of you and the best of luck to your completion.

Cheers,

C'dub

 

[Elwenil]

Hmmm, if it's a Chrysler design, it should have a Mopar engine! The body is probably rejecting the GM junk, and that is why it won't run, lol.

Seriously, if this does turn out to be a Chrysler built prototype, I would be interested in more info on it. What axles are in it? It looks to be a 5 lug pattern, which is strange to me since the only one I know of is the M37 and they are way too light to support armor. Interesting vehicle.

 

[citizensoldier]

If those are the same lug patternt of a Dodge M37 it would be awsome to duplicate them for wider tires on a M37 or WWII Dodge.
Neet little bugger.. Glad you were able to save it.
Are those 16 inch rims?

 

[citizensoldier]

Oh and that 5 ton is not Chopped liver! Nice truck!

 

[Elwenil]

I dunno, looking closer it looks like they might be 6 lug, ala Old Dodge duallys and Kaiser-Jeep M715s.

 

[M813rc]

It is an odd combination, GM engine and Dodge chassis, so I seriously doubt that the setup is original. I imagine someone had that engine lying around at some point, so they shoved it in there. The vehicle has obviously been much tinkered with during its life. There are a few other things about it that make you wonder "Why in tarnation would someone put/do that there?" like the parking lot drain used as radiator grill!

The numbers indicate the chassis is an M43. Having looked at a stock M43, the suspension here has been beefed up with extra springs and such. Wheels are 5 lug M37 centers on 16.5" rims, currently has Humvee tires on it.

Anyway,the search for knowledge continues. If/when I find out more on the history and details of the XM?, I will do my best to put things as they should be.

Thanks for the comments on the M813, makes a daddy proud!