Very Rare Prototype 1967 M-715, 1988 Hercules Turbo Diesel (#13 of only 20 made)

1967 Viet Nam M715 5/4 Ton Military Truck

Historical Background and Significance

With all due modesty. this 7 thousand pound vehicle is likely the rarest specimen of it's make and model amongst  the 20. 80 produced in the 1967-1969 timeframe for deployment in the Viet Nam  “police action”.    The original production run of 20. 80 represents  an historically small production volume in an of itself. span >  for an American military vehicle compared to  those that preceded it (M38 Willys Jeep. M37 Power Wagon) or those that followed it . namely the venerable Hummer H1 (M998 HMMWV).   The M715 only saw 2 full years of production and served only 9 full years of service (1967-1976) in active military  duties. making it somewhat of a sparse commodity for MV collectors.   This is a well known fact among the MV historical community.   However. the M715 vehicle contained in this listing is uniquely rare because it is serial number 13 of only 20 prototype M715 trucks selected for special test operations in 1988 involving advanced Turbo Diesel repowering  and testing under government contract #DAAE07-88-C-0013. serial number 17580 (reference photo of dash ID plate).   A long time personal friend. fellow Jeep lover. and current co-colleague of mine now  also under the employ of Cummins Engine Company (CMI call name) was acting then as chief engineer for the Hercules Diesel Engine Company in the 1988 timeframe whereupon he personally designed the (massive thick steel ) transmission adapter plate and acted a lead project engineer for the entire vehicle installation of the Hercules DT3. 7 Turbo Diesel engine into a total of 20 prototype M715 trucks.   My truck is lucky number 13 of 20 ever made.    Two years ago he personally visited me in Columbus IN and verified that the truck is one of the 20 unit prototype production run.   Prospective and serious bidders can be given access to this chief engineer for verification of authenticity prior to close of auction. if desired.     Test operations were completed and while the resulting performance and durability were exceptional. military “intelligence” opted to discontinue  testing of the Hercules powered M715 and mothball the 20 units into storage.   I was able to purchase this specimen from a US Marine then stationed in Georgia. who somehow purchased and obtained the vehicle from  Government storage out of the remanufacturing plant in Georgia (reference photo of dash ID plate defining Southeastern Equipment Company of Augusta Georgia who worked in conjunction with Hercules Engine Company).   When I first ran across the vehicle I quickly realized what it was because of the detailed descript my friend (Hercules Chief Engineer) had given me years earlier.   I promptly purchased the truck and commenced to make the 2000 mile round trip with a low-boy car hauler.    As an interesting aside. the flat bed trailer I rented to transport the truck turned out to be 1500 pounds overloaded with the M715 on-board. but I was careful to stop every couple hours and inspect the trailer tires and wheel bearing running temperatures to be sure everything was going to be ok. which it was.   The truck weighs in at ~7000 pounds empty giving it a ~9800 pound GVW.   These numbers may be un-interesting to the casual observer. but for those who appreciate the shear quantity of government issue MV pig iron we're talking about here. it is simply something to behold when standing in its presence.   I still remember the first time I physically laid eyes on an M715 in West Virginia  at a ski resort;  I stopped the car. got out and started staring at the Dana 70 rear axel with full-floating dual taper bearing wheel hub extensions which seemed to protrude about 6 inches outboard from the rear wheel rims.    I took my wife about 15 minutes of repeatedly saying my name to snap me back to reality.   I think we might have even skied on that trip. but I honestly don't remember anything else from but the raw prowess of that truck sitting on the side of that mountain.    Not to belabor the point. but It was right up there with the first time I stood next to the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier in Charleston SC. or the first time I saw my wife totally naked.   Now I think you're tracking me. Anyway. span >  it's surreal and beautiful and like the iron-clad Yorktown or my un-clad wife. the M715 is designed with the sole intention of bringing you to your knees.  

Government Contract Prototype Fortifications

As if this M715 is not already beefy enough with the Turbo Diesel engine and transmission adapter assembly. this prototype specimen is further fortified with the likes of a 10 thousand pound PTO-driven winch (standard issue for the M715 is a 6 thousand pound version. quite a bit smaller). a 5/8 inch steel plate reinforced front winch bumper. and 11R22. 5 tires and wheels. each weighing 250 pounds versus the stock 90 pound NDT tire and wheel combination.    The modern tire specification employed  is standard modern military spec for semi-tractors. with a load rating of 6 thousand pounds. per tire…. J   The oversized wheels came with the truck and were done in conjunction with the  diesel repower in order to arrive at a higher effective final drive ratio needed to compensate for the lower total rpm range for the diesel engine as compared to the original Kaiser gas engine.   The rock shields and counterbalance weights on the wheel assemblies suggests eventual CTIS (central tire inflation system) operation. however beyond the wheel assemblies the system is non-operational.   Some number of the 20 prototype units were up-fitted with higher ratio differential gearing that resulted in 70 mph capability;  something  my friend verified when he was allowed to take prototype trucks home for the weekend for “back-yard testing”.    The stock M715 brake drums on the 4 corners are 13 inch in diameter. which is quite massive for a vehicle of this size and are capable of locking up even the 11R22. 5 semi tires on dry pavement.  

For reference. this truck is 2. 5 feet longer than an H1 military HMMWV and about 2500 pounds heavier. so when I park it next to my friend's hummer it makes the H1 look a little puny by comparison.   You can see from one of the photos just how big this thing is in comparison to my M-250 Ford Super Duty truck.

The husky 110 Hp Hercules power plant moves the truck along nicely with a top end at about 60 miles per hour with a fuel economy of over 20 MPG.   This engine is basically the equivalent of a 130 Hp deuce and a half engine (in-line 6 cyl) with 2 cylinders removed at the drawing board. resulting in an extremely reliable vehicle with both superb fuel economy and superior power to weight ratio.   The final low range drive ratio of approximately70:1 means you can practically idle up any steep hill off-road or. should you be so inclined. span >  drive straight thru most modern homes without even lugging the engine down.   The combination of on-road and off-road performance and economy is superb with this truck. and had the original 20. 80 production run contained the Hercules engine and 11R22. 5 tire combination. the trucks military fate and longevity would surely have been re-written.

Additional Performance and Historical refinements

In this section I describe  various refinements that I executed on the truck in order to A) fortify it's durability beyond the stock M715 offering and B) showcase its historical significance with respect to the Viet Nam war. while C) preserving it's prototype authenticity as much as possible in the process.    The performance and historical refinements completed over the last 10 year process represent a professional endeavor to achieve a careful and calculated balance of these three relevant criteria.   The resulting feature content represents an M715 out-fitted with specifications comparable to that which would have been considered a high ranking US General's personal command car used to lead and oversee the prosecution of the Viet Nam war in theater. while benefitting from various structural. performance. and ergonomic improvements befitting VIP utilization.  

The performance refinements are listed below:

The historical refinements are listed below:

Past decade of civilian life for M715

Since the time I acquired the truck about 10 years ago (with 4400 original miles since gov't contract overhaul) I have been progressively restoring it to original prototype condition (now has 25. 700 miles).   When I got the truck it was painted in modern CARC green (#383 I believe).   At that time I had the truck professionally painted in the stock period (1967) Post WW2 Semi-Gloss OD Green (obtained from Beachwood Canvas MV historical parts supplier) and I maintained this color scheme for several years. where we used the truck for local parades. camping. and light off-roading with my local MV truck friends and occasionally the Steel Soldiers posse.   At that time all new premium quality canvass seats and top were purchased from BW Canvas (with the exception of the cargo canopy) and they remain in fine condition.    Now would be a good time to mention that as a matter of practice I only use original NOS (new old stock) or premium quality. original equipment parts.   Some  examples of NOS items I replaced are steering gear box. master cylinder. slave cylinders. PTO gear box. emergency brake. brake pads and retaining clips. drive train shaft seals all around. differential and transfer case yokes. universal joints all around. as well as completely new front axel shafts; left and right.   If it's not available NOS then I go with Napa premium replacement parts only;  cost more. but worth every penny in a case like this.

One of my favorite things to do has been to cruise the trails at Haspen  Acres (650 acre off-road park in Laruel IN) in low gear range with my MV friends and winch them and others out of impossible jams using the 10K pound winch.   The winch runs off of a PTO with a single piece drive shaft running directly from the tranny to front bumper. versus the much lighter duty stock two-piece drive shaft assembly.   The PTO drive shaft and universal joints (derived from M35 deuce and half truck I believe) are as large as the M715 front and rear drive shafts and  easily capable of dragging the truck across dry ground without putting undue stress on the massive winch assembly.    I have received much satisfaction over the years employing this winch. and have likewise received many beers. cigars. and sincerest thank-you's from helpless souls  turning to me as their last resort.   It's a fun way to meet people. make friends. enjoy an endless free flowing  beer supply in the great out-doors.   One guy I helped out of a jam owned  a tattoo parlor and offered me a free tattoo; I haven't cashed in in that one yet but may still do that.   So. while I have occasionally exercised the truck on some basic trails and got the tires and fenders a little dirty. it is virtually a vintage and privileged garage kept creature that is maintained in parade-ready or battle-ready status and ready for duty in a moments notice.  

Dedication of M715 to Korean and Viet Nam vets

I'm a baby-boomer (1964-tbd) and my Dad (1913-2004) served in the US Navy during WW2 at Pearl Harbor in the 1943-1945 timeframe (after the bombs came down).   Since I grew up in the mid 60's and early 70's I saw a lot of Viet Nam footage on the evening news every night with self-inflated nut jobs like Dan Rather and the like who wove their own personal agendas into living rooms of millions of unsuspecting and sincere families across this great expanse known as America.   This gave me a sober. yet distorted view (I realized only years later) of the whole deal going on way over there in the rice patties and jungles in Nam.   Movies like “Apocalypse Now” and other similar works of crap coming out of Hollywood. while interesting and cinematographically brilliant. even further distorted the truth of what went on there and subsequently did innumerable disservice to an entire generation of selfless and brave US Military countrymen and women who served. fought. bled. and even died on behalf of the noble cause for which the US and her allies conducted military and humanitarian operations in that desperate land known as Viet Nam.   Granted. anyone with any common sense at all would agree that it was an ugly mess in some ways and that a few idiots in uniform made some mistakes in the heat of the prolonged battle. but the vast and documented accounts that have eventually come to surface have undisputedly proven beyond all reasonable doubt that our countrymen and women fought brilliantly. tirelessly. precisely. and selflessly on behalf of this country and south Viet Nam.   For this I am monumentally grateful and respectful.   When ever I operate the truck it inevitably attracts much praise and affection from thankful Americans and I am careful to redirect all adoration to our past and current servicemen and women.   Back in the day while John Kerry was busy bloviating incessantly through his arrogant and lengthy nose in Washington and while Jane Fonda was conducting self-important anti-US PR campaigns in Hanoi there were heroes like John McCain literally hanging from their fingernails across town at the Hanoi Hilton. while simultaneously hundreds of thousands of returning US soldiers being spat upon by mis-guided American TV viewers.   On behalf of United States of America I would like to offer a sincere and penitent apology to you for the shameful way you were treated at that time and I have dedicated this magnificent 5/4 ton M715 time machine  to you and the great good YOU brought to the world through your duty.   Fifty years later. no one now disputes that we in fact brilliantly succeeded in defeating the spread of communism throughout the world.   Nam was the ultimate gauntlet. YOU held up your end. and this great nation and the entire world are blessed now as a result.   Thank YOU! 

Reason for Sale of M715

I had no intentions of ever selling this truck. but a number of factors are compelling me to do the unthinkable.   For one. one of my uptight neighbors apply constant dripping pressure to no longer park it at home where I could admire it and drive it daily if desired.   This in and of itself has no real effect on me. but they occasionally surprise attack my innocent wife when she least expects it and snub or snarl at her on my behalf. which both upsets her and makes me feel bad.   She can obviously take it just fine. but I don't like it that she has to.   Secondly and more importantly. span >  my oldest daughter is getting ready to start college soon and we could use the green-backs.   Thirdly. my middle daughter rides horses and they eat money like 12 hundred pound furry Barbie dolls who got invited to the costume ball at a Beverly Hills gala.   Fourthly. fifthly. and sixthly my wife is offering other intangible rewards for parting with the “War Machine”. if you catch my drift.   I may be 50 years old but I'm not stupid and I'm not yet impotent;  I  have come to appreciate the finer things in life (such as this truck and all it represents) but I have come to enjoy even more the depth and protrusion of my most lovely creature. that is my wife…    J  So I guess I've had my fare share of time in the saddle of the M715 and it's time to let someone else strap in.

Improvements needed

There are 2 basic things wrong with the truck that I have not yet fixed;  within the last year the turn signal flasher unit has stopped flashing.   I think it's an easy fix. but I just use hand signals instead.   The brake lights. head lights. dash lights. and 5 black-out driving lights all work fine.    The truck has 2 brand new aluminum housing rear brake light assemblies derived from a deuce and a half truck at the time of the government repower contract.   I am including a brand new 24 volt head light bulb with the truck along with 2 new face plates for the front turn signal lights (see spare parts photos).   The second thing to address is a rusty cross brace  in the bed that annoys me because I know about it. but causes no issue whatsoever and is only observable if you craw under the truck bed and look for it.    The entire cab and military bed are extremely solid in terms of sheet metal preservation compared to any M715 I have ever personally seen. either in person or on line.   At some point in the next 5 years I would recommend replacing the sheet metal brace and giving the truck a complete underside scrub-down and fresh coat of paint.  

Misc Military Items included with the M715 in this auction (as seen in photos)

 - Military spec wheel chalks (2) used for winch operations and flat bed rail car tie down (mounted rear 2 corners of bed).

- 20 Ton air-over-hydraulic jack. air lines. quick dis-connect fittings and control valves used for tire changes (>$100 value).

- Electrical PA box with hand held mic. with Siren functions and 2 speakers (one on front grill and one in the cargo bed).

-Total of 12 padlocks with color-matching keys on bandolier along w/ ignition key which I introduced for added security.   The 12 locks and keys are used to secure all the various lock boxes mentioned.   Also. very robust padlock latching mechanisms have been added to driver and passenger doors in addition to gear shift column.   There is also an electrical breaker bar added to the battery box to both preserve battery life and prevent theft.

Misc New Military spare parts included with the M715 in this auction (as seen in photos)

- NOS  (New Old Stock) left and right front axel shafts with cardan cross universal joints. new in original military sealed packing.

-1 NOS 24 volt head light

-2 NOS amber lenses covers for front turn signals

-1 NOS drivers door rear view mirror.

-2 NOS brake/clutch pedal pads

-1 NOS master cylinder

-1 NOS drive yoke for transfer case

-2 NOS wiper blades

-2 NOS flexible front brake lines

-1 NOS Speedometer

-1 NOS complete engine gasket and seal kit

-2 NOS Knuckle seal assemblies (spherical ball joint seals on front axel). These should be installed at any time to curb leaks.

-2 NOS shaft seals for inner front wheel bearings

-1 PTO shaft universal joint

-1 NOS clutch release shaft

-NOS brake shoe retaining springs and clips

Misc Used Military spare parts included with the M715 in this auction (as seen in photos)

-1 tail light assembly (spare)

-1 dimmer switch assembly (spare)

-1 used E-brake band brake (used for core for remanufacturing)

-1 used Hercules water pump (used for core for remanufacturing)

Terms of Sale

The truck comes as is with no implied guarantees. but if you do purchase the truck on E-bay and come to pick it up and for any reason find it not meeting my description or your expectations you are free to just walk away.   The reserve is set at $19. 00 and I will stay firm on this. no matter how long it takes me to locate a legitimate buyer who understands what they are getting.  

We'll talk terms and timing and payment options when we get there and be reasonable about it for both parties.   In case you are wondering. I don't buy and resell these trucks to make money. as I have a regular engineering job at the office; this is my prize personal truck.   You can call Greg at 812-447-8220 after business hours (6-11pm) to talk if you like and you can come to Columbus IN  for a test drive. if you are serious.   I reserve the right to cancel the auction at any time if I sell locally or otherwise.   The truck probably belongs in a museum but I am willing to sell it to a collector or someone that I think will take care of it in a respectful way.  

Also published at eBay.com

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