tonkaman Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Hey all I just bought this old girl from the scrap yard, I couldn't see her get smushed. From the little research I've done the best I can come up with is that it's an autocar. Am I right? I'm really just curious to know what it is and what it's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeePig Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 It looks like it could be an Autocar, a bit like this one: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?43041-Autocar-U-7144-T Not sure it is worth much in money terms, but a whole lot to anyone looking for parts. Well done, sir! Does it have an engine and transmission? trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 In my opinion it's an Autocar U-7144T although it's possible it could have been built by White, Kenworth or Marmon Herrington to the Autocar design Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billruston Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Why would someone scrap this!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonkaman Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 Is there any numbers or anything that I can get to figure out who the maker was for sure? I guess it doesn't matter it would have been made to the same specs no matter who built it. Yes the running gear is all there but it has been sitting in a farmers back forty for over forty years now. I figured someone somewhere would need the parts and I just can't let our steel soldiers die like that. The radiator must have been brass cause some jack wagon torched the grill to get it out at some point. Such a shame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonkaman Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 Can anyone give me a history on the use of these tractors? Was it an America Only deal, where was their primary use and what years did they serve? I'm a young guy just thirsting for knowledge hahaha I want to learn more about this stuff so I know what in looking at when I see it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 During WW2 they were used by the US Army mainly in Europe to haul trailers loaded with bulk supplies from the ports to supply depots behind the front lines. You may be able to find an ID (chassis no) stamped into the chassis, on many vehicles this was done near either of the front wheels but I'm not sure of the positioning on this type. Hopefully somebody on here will be able to confirm the position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RattlesnakeBob Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Fairplay to you for stepping up and buying her Can I ask what , (if any yet) , are your plans for her??? It's a well rare vehicle for sure and ....yes I know ..a gargantuan task but....... just imagine how chuffed you'd be rolling her out in a few ( alright .....maybe a lot more than a 'few'! ) years time at a Military Vehicle show???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 (edited) Hi, What you have is a 5-ton tractor unit. It is only either an Autocar U7144T (more likely - 11,000 built) or a White 444T (2,700 built). The other manufacturers suggested in the posts above did not produce this model. If it's a White most of the castings will have White cast into them. In the absence of that it is an Autocar. The chassis number will confirm which it is: this will be stamped onto the data plate at the extreme right hand end of the dash. It is also stamped onto the chassis - on mine, which is a larger model, it is on the right hand rail on the top edge directly above the rear axle. I am not sure where it is on the smaller trucks. As for value, these trucks are rare by virtue of their age but there are quite a few both in the US and Europe. Your truck is in much better condition than others which have been restored, in fact everything I can see that is missing from your truck is readily obtainable. If you only paid scrap money then you have done well. As for their use, it was a standard tractor unit for mainly over-the-road haulage of flatbed, stake side and box trailers. They were built between 1941 and Aug. 1945 and were mainly used in Europe. If a moderator were to change the title of the thread to something mentioning Autocars, you will get a lot more interest and more responses from other owners! Regards - MG Edited February 21, 2014 by TooTallMike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Robert Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Yes, its a Autocar 7444T should have a Hercules 6 cyl 530 cu. in . Engine...rated at 130 bhp if you google "Redball Express " there are some great US Army films on the Redball. 1 minute 10 secs in you will see an Autocar in action..the Yanks called them semi-trailors.... They were brought in mid 1944 to increase tonnage and replace GMC 353,s 6x6 whenever possible on the supply routes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pzkpfw-e Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 One at La Ferte Alais in 2005. At least that's what it's captioned as. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite!! Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 If a moderator were to change the title of the thread to something mentioning Autocars, you will get a lot more interest and more responses from other owners! Done Mike!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
private mw Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 very nice find well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerry275 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Good on you for saving her :clap: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 One at La Ferte Alais in 2005. At least that's what it's captioned as. That's a Federal, not an Autocar/White. - MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonkaman Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 Holy information!!!! Hahaha thanks for changing the title for me. I'll post more pics tonight, she's still at the scrap yard for now as I havnt had time to get her to a safer place yet, but I won't let her get smushed. As for my plans, she's for sale I don't have any intrest in restoring her only finding someone that does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Holy information!!!! Hahaha thanks for changing the title for me. I'll post more pics tonight, she's still at the scrap yard for now as I havnt had time to get her to a safer place yet, but I won't let her get smushed. As for my plans, she's for sale I don't have any intrest in restoring her only finding someone that does. I suggest you place an advert on the G503.com forum as there are a number of US-based Autocar owners on there who might be interested. Thank you for saving the truck. Regards - Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RattlesnakeBob Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 I've looked at your profile and call me daft but I can't see where are you located ?? UK?? US ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonkaman Posted February 22, 2014 Author Share Posted February 22, 2014 Oh yea I never set up my profile all the way, it is now!!! Hahahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonkaman Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonkaman Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonkaman Posted February 23, 2014 Author Share Posted February 23, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted February 23, 2014 Share Posted February 23, 2014 That's just a part number for whatever that part is. The chassis no will be stamped into a rail somewhere. - MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonkaman Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Ahh ok. That number was stamped on a couple parts so I thought that was it. Doesn't really matter we all know what it is now. I just need to find it a good loving home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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