Early Days of Halftrack Collecting

[Wayofftrack]

The legendary Southern Parts storage yard in Memphis. It's all gone now.

 

[big block 88]

All those poor girls waiting on a new home... I am sure some found there way overseas for other militaries

 

[NDT]

Thanks for posting the pics. The legendary Tommy Hunt I think it was? Back then those half tracks were a tough sell. No such thing as "military vehicle collectors".

 

[Wayofftrack]

Yes Tommy Hunt was the man. I was just a little kid but i remember how nice he was. He really knew his stuff. Even then I knew the place was special.

 

[AZDeuce]

I like your "handle" Wayofftrack, that's pretty good, and I rea your posts on the G503 site. Those and others are the same pictures you sent me more than a decade ago.

I had to sell my M3A1 HT w/Roller.......I do miss her, halftracks are just one of the coolest vehicles to own/drive. Hope you're doing fine, I'm doing ok. Good to see you posting on SS. Look forward to seeing some of your collection at some point.

 

[quickfarms]

Nice photos

 

[Wayofftrack]

A couple more. Colleen showed up for sale on ebay a couple of years ago but it was just the door. No kidding the door from Colleen in this picture was on an M2 for sale in Canada. The paint didn't match the rest of the m2. I blew up my dad's photo here and compared it to the ebay photo and all the rust spots and marks were in the same place. It was the same door from the picture in 1972.

 

[Wayofftrack]

Those and others are the same pictures you sent me more than a decade ago.

I remember you. I think you were about the first guy I ever corresponded with on the internet about halftracks. How's Earl?

 

[NDT]

I think I might have been at that yard during the Memphis MVPA convention years ago. Southern Parts had the main office/warehouse in Memphis and the other yard that was on the northeast side of town if I recall? They had the motherlode of Stewart and M5 HST road wheels at that location.

 

[wreckerman893]

What we need is a good time machine......go back to the end of WWII with a sack full of silver dollars and buy some prime MV's. Hide them in a good dry cave and sell high today.

 

[vettes]

Funny you mention that, im in negotiations to buy it now

Andy

A couple more. Colleen showed up for sale on ebay a couple of years ago but it was just the door. No kidding the door from Colleen in this picture was on an M2 for sale in Canada. .

 

[68t]

Thanks clint ,for the great pictures. I been working on my 70 dodge challanger here lately, MY nephew is working on the 2 halftracks we got a few month ago. I will send you a picture if he get it painted saturday. Glad to see you over here. Wendell

 

[68t]

I ready for the parade this summer.

 

[Danger Ranger]

Wreckerman, I like the way you think. Gotta watch Back to the Future a couple more times, but then my flux capacitor will be complete. Now I need an MV, and the ever impossible way of getting it to 88mph....

 

[AZDeuce]

Earl's doing ok, alhough he has some health issues, he still has the Air Force M3A1 HT. I worked out a deal with him to restore it for him, I even moved out to the country....well...desert, so I could blast and paint, then he changed his mind. I was bummed, as it's a complete all original Diamond-T M3A1, and it deserves to be in restored condition. I'm not bitter, just disappointed.

I got cancer about 5 years ago, the original doctors wrote me off, but I had a lot of people/churches praying for me, and a GREAT Dr, who listened and cared. God healed me, and it's been 5 years now cancer free.......WOO-HOO!

But it took a lot of energy out of me, and while I love my running M35A2, and M1009, I'm selling off my vehicles that need restoring, just ain't got the time, money, nor attitude to tackle such projects anymore........although I do have the hots for a M715, but no money to back it up.

I'm glad you persevered, you have some NICE vehicles. Stay in touch - Tom

 

[Wayofftrack]

Tom,
I'm glad you are doing better and still enjoying the hobby when you can.

All of my collection except for one scout car I have acquired since we first met online and you tried to help me out. My dad passed away about that time and i decided to restore a halftrack as a tribute to him and got a little carried away.

I should give Earl a shout.
Clint

 

[Wayofftrack]

Blast from the past.