Ford M151 A2 Mutt from private collection (1967)

Vehicle description

The Ford MUTT M151 was produced as a successor to the Willys MB (or its derivative Ford GPW) and its further developments (M38 and M38 A1) from 1959. The M151 series was not only built by Ford, but also by Willys/Kaiser and AM General. Over the years, the M151 underwent various modifications, in the M151 A2 version, the MUTT (abbreviation stands for "Military Utility Tactical Truck") was equipped with a revised rear axle, among other things. Some variants of the M151 A2 were still in US military service until 1999, but as part of the US Army renewal program, the M151 series was successively retired in the 1980s and replaced by the HMMWV ("High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle") – which is usually called "Humvee".

This MUTT offered here for auction is an M151 A2 from the year of construction 1967, which according to the seller was completely restored about 23 years ago. In the USA, this M151 A2 with the chassis number 155428 was first registered in July 1967, an exact history of the off-road vehicle can no longer be presented, but the current owner mentions that at least 2 owners called the Ford their own and the last owner is said to have been a collector. In addition to 1 set of vehicle keys, an H-approval is already available. Until October 2021, the last main inspection ran, whether matching numbers are given, the seller does not know with certainty – but he assumes it.

In terms of paint, this MUTT wears a typical army color in green tone, in the course of the restoration work 23 years ago, according to the seller, the paint was last completely new. An A2 is visually recognizable mainly by the large combined turn signal/"blackout lights" on the front fenders – which have also been modified to mount the larger lights – as opposed to previous A1s with flatter fenders. Except for age-appropriate patina, the current holder of this M151 A2 indicates the condition of the exterior as good, as external features are the plug-in discs with hood, the ammunition box, the 20-liter canister and the radio with antenna. The current owner can rule out an accident with the off-road vehicle.

As good as new tyres especially for off-road use are mounted on the original steel rims of the Ford MUTT. On the front axle – mentions the seller – the brake should be checked, on the rear axle the brake is in proper condition. Instead of the triangular arms in the A1, the A2 has semi-trailing arms, the entire chassis can obviously be attributed a condition without deficits.

The interior of the M151 A2 is militarily sparse and trimmed for efficiency: fabric seats at the front and rear provide at least a touch of comfort, the radio equipment on board suggests a former radio car. The tarpaulin top can be set up well and, according to the seller, has no cracks, and the washers are also preserved in good condition. Damage in the interior of this Ford MUTT is apparently not objectionable, as no missing parts or even rough signs of use can be detected inside the off-road vehicle. As equipment of this MUTT is to be mentioned above all the radio equipment.

5 round instruments can be found in the middle of the dashboard, all of which provide important vehicle information. The 5-digit speedometer is integrated in the speedometer, from which a mileage of 23,300 can be read. The actual total mileage of this off-road vehicle can no longer be traced with certainty. All instruments in the interior must be certified to function properly.

Propulsion is provided by an in-line four-cylinder petrol engine, which extracts 72 hp from a displacement of 2.2 litres and is coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. A final service has only recently been carried out, as the only defect in the technology, the current holder indicates the already mentioned brake on the front axle.

No complaints can be made on the underbody, which could cloud the good overall impression of this Ford MUTT. Due to a number of accidents, the M151s were declared "unsuitable for use on public roads" by the U.S. Department of Defense, resulting in the decommissioned MUTT being rendered unusable by the removal of major assemblies or the destruction of the body. Accordingly, few off-road vehicles of the M151 series – such as this Ford M151 A2 – have survived. Due to the restoration work carried out 23 years ago, the MUTT has been brought into shape both technically and visually so that it will last for a long time. Even today, the MUTT offered here drives without any problems, in addition, it has no rust and is therefore completely ready for use again for the next few years with little effort.

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