Description
Jeep Ford MUTT M151 A2 1968, The Vietnam Jeep.
From 1950, during the Cold War in Asia, the American military needed an upgraded M38 Jeep. They therefore asked for a lighter, more capable, more comfortable vehicle; this Jeep also had to be parachutable. Tests were conducted swiftly and all were very favorable. The M151 appears lower and even more rakish, if we may use that term for a military machine. In 1969 the 151 A2, produced by Ford, appeared—an evolution produced for a year—before handing over to General (GM) who continued production until 1982. The new models are reinforced by two central longitudinals; the monocoque chassis benefits from suspensions far less primitive than the inflexible leaf springs of its forebear. At the front, the triangulated links are stacked and combined with coil springs inside which the shock absorbers are placed, at the rear the triangulated links are in pressed steel, the swinging axle of the early M151 whose large travel and camber variations had caused numerous accidents. The steel rims are fitted with military-profile tyres 7. 00 x 16.
The technicians opted for a 4-speed gearbox with a non-demultiplying transfer case, less complicated for the yankee “grunt” to use; it features a superb very-short first gear with no synchromesh. All of this is driven by a 4-cylinder 2319 cm3 engine of 72 horsepower, designed by Ford to be as light as possible and to operate in extreme conditions. Thus the oil sump, like the horizontal carburettor, was designed to function on slopes of 60% and cross-falls up to 40%.
Access aboard is easy thanks to a cutout as clear around the ears as an incorporation cut. What comfort and what smooth steering. On the road, the MUTT 151 A2 is nimble and reassuring, with no wheezy suspension, brakes that keep you nicely in line, a gearbox with a clean and precise engage, and a handling that would almost tempt you to push it. One can simply switch to 4×4 mode by lowering the short lever that engages the front axle.
Our example is a rare preserved model in its original condition; history teaches us that after conflicts many cars were deliberately destroyed by armies by cutting them in two. Our vehicle has been fully revised, inspected, with a French classic-vehicle registration and a fresh technical inspection. Delivered with its complete hood.
An article was written about our car in Autoretro magazine on 01/ 12/ 2022.
Price on request.
