1943 Ford "Maultier" (Mule) | The National Military History Center | RM Sotheby's

Lot 150

The National Military History Center

1943 Ford "Maultier" (Mule)

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$42,500 USD | Sold

United States | Auburn, Indiana

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Addendum: All military vehicles and artifacts offered in this sale are sold "As Is" and "For collector purposes only". These military vehicles and artifacts should never be loaded and/or fired with any ammunition. We make no warranty and/or representations as to the suitability or fitness of these items for use. By purchasing military vehicles and artifacts you hereby and irrevocably waive any and all claims against Auctions America by RM, Inc. and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Auctions America by RM, Inc. from any injuries or death associated with these military vehicles and artifacts. Please note, there may be an associated licensing fee based on the location of licensing, and bidder must satisfy himself as to all licensing and import requirements in his home state or country.

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Please note this is being sold on "Bill of Sale" only.

Manufacturer: Ford of Germany

Production Years: 1942-1944

Engine: Ford, 3.9-liter, 95-hp, eight-cylinder, liquid-cooled, gasoline

Transmission: Five-speed: four forward, one reverse

Brakes: Hydraulic

Length: 21-feet, 1-inch

Width: 7-feet, 6-inches

Height: 9-feet, 3-inches (to top of cargo area bonnet)

Weight: Approximately 4-tons

Armor: None

Armament: NONE on this example - Could be fitted with a 7.92-mm MG34 or MG42 machine gun

Maximum Speed: Approximately 25-mph

Maximum Payload: 2-tons

Markings: German 2nd SS Panzer Division “Das Reich”

Conditions on the Eastern Front, where already poor roads turned to seas of mud during rainy seasons and slush in the spring thaw, created almost impossible transportation situations for the wheeled truck units of the German army. The Maultier (Mule) reportedly originated from a field modification carried-out by the 2nd SS Panzer Division “Das Reich” during the winter of 1941-1942. A standard Ford 3-ton V3000S 4x2 truck was used as the basis of the conversion along with sets of Carden-Loyd tracks and bogey-wheel assemblies from captured British Universal type carriers. The conversion comprised of moving the rear axle forward and shortening the driveshaft, reinforcing the chassis and mounting double sets of the Carden-Loyd two-wheel bogie assemblies, along with tracks, to each side of the chassis. The conversion reduced the payload capacity from 3-tons to 2-tons. The Ford plants in Cologne, Amsterdam and Asnieres, France started mass-producing the conversions in 1942 totaling nearly 15,000 units by 1944. An additional field conversion was carried out on some Maultiers consisting of mounting a 2-cm Flak 30 or Flak 38 anti-aircraft cannon on the cargo bed. Neither of these guns is fitted to this example.

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