M37 Red Bumper

[rtk]

I picked up a 1953 M37 , originally a AF STRATA BLUE MV . Some time in it's life it was painted OD . I am in the process of preping for a paint job , BLUE or OD , What do you think ? I noticed the front bumper was painted RED , what was the purpose of the red bumper if anyone knows . I can't find a unit markings on the bumper , but I do see lettering on the Hood under the OD , doesn't appear to be anything on the doors , still a voyage of discovery . Just trying to get some history on the vehicle . MV came from California , lots of AF bases there . Bob k

 

[DAP]

I did mine in a deep navy blue that is close to the Air Force blue. Someone on the G741 forum redid their's as a bomb disposal M37 or some such and I think the bumper and front fenders were painted red. They have posted pictures somewhere. Check over on that forum. http://g741.org/PHPBB/index.php?sid=7fd5b0ecb24950e96fa7b93a3bb64ae9

 

[hndrsonj]

It could also just be that the bumper was bent etc, and they used one from another truck.

 

[rtk]

Ya , it could be anything when it comes to MV's , as they say if they could talk . It was a April 53 build , I was told it was AF and then went to the California NG , then GL sold it back in the late 70's early 80's . Who ever painted it OD , went to the trouble of removeing the bed so they could paint behind the cab

 

[Keith_J]

EOD trucks used to have red markings. Don't know why. And current EOD vehicles don't have the red bumpers or fenders.

 

[Fredo Corleone]

Vtdeucedriver's M37 has red fenders but an OD bumper check with him about the EOD thing he will know. Maybe a Fire Dept. bumper.

 

[rtk]

Don't think it was ever a CIVILIAN vehicle , bumper appears original , I tend to lean towards the EOD or flight line vehicle . I also like the strata blue color on the MV . Don't see to many BLUE M37's . Wonder how many times people would ask "How come it's not OD"?

 

[DAP]

I have added Air Force markings to my blue truck since I took the avitar picture and since then (10+ years) I can't remember when/if anyone asks me why it isn't OD. They just assume it is correct. They even assume it is the correct Aif Force blue shade though it isn't. I still do get comments about the nice "Jeep" - sigh. I just smile and say "Actually it is a Dodge" Then I run them over with my large tires - ROFL

 

[rtk]

LOL , why do a lot of people think every MV is a Jeep ? I checked out that link , they look good BLUE! My M37 has the Hard Top with the rectangular window , I installed the winch , but everything else is original and being it is a West Coast vehicle it has very little to no RUST . I think a blue body , with RED bumpers and maybe front fenders .

 

[nattieleather]

You posted pics of other trucks now it's time to post pics of your truck!

 

[Ferroequinologist]

All this M37 talk lately makes me even more eager to fix up my wife's M37.

She wants to paint it in some version of the current Air Force camo pattern for their uniforms. I don't think she can pull it off without a lot of work.

I would probably paint it Navy Gray just to make the SF (security forces, the AF version of MP) guys at the gate mad. lol.

I agree, lets see some pictures!

 

[Fredo Corleone]

We just picked up a SF tahoe.

 

[rtk]

A few more pictures of the ride as it is now , really want to make it Blue in the future

 

[vtdeucedriver]

A few more pictures of the ride as it is now , really want to make it Blue in the future

Looks too nice to repaint.

 

[vtdeucedriver]

No red bumpers on EOD.