From: Jim Gilmore (jgilmore@ptd.net)
Date: Sun Oct 03 2004 - 21:02:08 PDT
At 08:36 PM 10/3/04, you wrote:
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2492595067
>Ebay Item # 2492595067
Sadly........this is NOT a XM-408.
I told my friend when I gave him the data and photos of a real XM-408 that somewhere down the line it would be sold as a real one and some one was going to get taken.
This jeep was built originally by TE Murray as a six wheel M-151A1. It was made from a standard M-151A1 with the body lengthened and an extra axle added. Later my friend Beryl Horning in Clio Michigan bought it. It was badly rusted and Beryl wanted to restore it to as close as possible to a real XM-408.
I sent him photos and documents from Ford Motor Company files and photos of a real one from a collector in the South.
Beryl with the help of Dave Crompton (Kubel restorer ) rebuilt the body and included the X shaped re-enforcements in the tops and sides of the rear fenders.
Beryl had the finished jeep displayed at the Findlay Ohio MV rally a couple of years ago and sold it then.
It is NOT an Original vehicle but is instead a replica.
The main spotting features are the data plate and the location of the tail lights. On a original XM-408, the tail lights are at the top of the rear panel while this one has them at the bottom as do all M-151A1's.
The data plate lists the vehicle as a Federal Stock number 2310-782-6056.......this is the stock number for a M-718 Ambulance and NOT a XM-408. This number plate is not for this vehicle and was stamped with the number as it was a blank plate.
There are other differences between this replica and a real XM-408
Buyer beware....
Jim Gilmore
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