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M3A1 Halftrack Discovered

glcaines

Well-known member
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Location
Hiawassee, Georgia
A friend of mine gave me a lead on an M3A1 halftrack in a old salvage yard. I followed his directions and found the wrong salvage yard, which only had an old M37 W/W. Unfortunately, the M37 was missing the winch and the body was basically a 'screen', being a rusted-out hulk. I talked with the guy that ran the place and he told me how to get to the correct salvage yard about 4 miles away. The place is located a few miles from Clarkesville, Georgia in Habersham County. This place was a Mecca for parts for old 40s and 50s cars and trucks. This place was full of rusy hulks with usable parts. Apparently, the guy that owned the place was named Harold as everybody referred to it as Harold's place, but Harold has passed on. His family is selling stuff, but only on Fridays and Saturdays 10: - 4:00 PM. There are signs everywhere warning that trespassers will be prosecuted and do not enter. They apparently do not tolerate anyone on the property unless one of the family is there. The location is just outside of Clarkesville on SR 115. Coming from Helen on SR 197 you turn right on SR 115 and go about two miles until you will see a large number of rusty cars and trucks on the right. You drive up the gravel road to where a trailer is parked and talk with a family member. Again, do not enter unless it is on Friday or Saturday between 10 - 4 or you may risk being shot, according to the neighbors. If no one is there, leave immediately.

The M3A1 is in very rough shape. It could be restored, but is basically only a parts source in my opinion. Part of the top is cut away, and one fender is missing, while the other is crushed. The armor is also missing. The whole thing is loaded down with scrap steel. It is so overgrown with weeds and trees you almost miss it unless you are within 10 - 15 feet. He doesn't know how much it weighs, but the price is $20.00 per 100#. There is also a bunch of trashed M105A2 trailers there that are basket cases and an old Dodge Army bus. I took photos of everything I saw, but couldn't stay long. I have the guy's phone number. If anyone is interested, send me a PM and I'll provide the guy's phone number.
 

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73m819

Rock = older than dirt , GA. MAFIA , Dirty
Steel Soldiers Supporter
In Memorial
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Location
gainesville, ga.
That is east of cleveland, on the way to helen, Joel (BFR) took me to it years ago, the owner died, the family at that time, would not get rid of anything, I tried and tried, still sitting in the same spot
 

lacoda56

Member
775
7
18
Location
Rochester, Washington
$400 per ton for unprocessed steel in the wild? Yeah, right! Another family that's talked themselves into believing everything the old man had is on a par with the current exchange rate for gold. I've seen it too many times, someone dies and the bast***s come out of the woodwork wanting their "fair share"!
 

robert c neth

Banned
233
1
0
Location
girard pa
nice pics. there are 7 halftracks within 30 miles of me and none can be bought have tried several times .some folks for whatever reason wont sell anything.
 

Ferroequinologist

Resident railroad expert
Steel Soldiers Supporter
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Location
Liberty Hill, SC
I don't care, will remind me of when I was in shcool. ;-)

Seriously, I might give them a call! If you go back, get me pics please!

And it's a Dodge!
 

wreckerman893

Possum Connoisseur
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Location
Akenback acres near Gadsden, AL
Now that you mention it...........would look good on a bobbed deuce frame (if you could shoehorn the multi-fuel into it).

Hummmmm.....just make the front end all one piece and make it a tilt hood.

I'm just full of good ideas (well.......I'm full of something).
 

73m819

Rock = older than dirt , GA. MAFIA , Dirty
Steel Soldiers Supporter
In Memorial
12,195
323
0
Location
gainesville, ga.
Now that you mention it...........would look good on a bobbed deuce frame (if you could shoehorn the multi-fuel into it).

Hummmmm.....just make the front end all one piece and make it a tilt hood.

I'm just full of good ideas (well.......I'm full of something).
Same here and just like you, NO MONEY
 
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Ferroequinologist

Resident railroad expert
Steel Soldiers Supporter
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Location
Liberty Hill, SC
we're hijacking his thread but yeah, the fuel truck went over very smoothly, I was surprised. Of course I had just bought a steam cleaner and two beds for the house so...
 
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