I’ve never investigated the Half-Tracks and didn’t know much about them.  So, when Brian sent me the link to the Milweb.net website, it was great surprise.  The page is a combination historical overview and successful treasure hunt.  Here’s how the author starts.

“After America had entered the war, one of the most important military bases was the Aleutians in Alaska, since a Japanese attack on the Aleutians. So Alaska became a primary military zone of importance. But with bad weather and a lot of snow, the need for tracked vehicles was important. So the US Army Air Corps got in touch with the Canadian Bombardier Company with the idea to develop a series of tracked vehicles using rubber wheels of large diameter driving a wide, flexible track with metal cross bars. Also the intense aviation activity created enormous difficulties for personnel confronted with a cold climate and bad weather for most part of the year….. ”

You can visit this page to read the entire story.  It’s quite extensive.  The information on how the rebuild was done on the T-28 is equally interesting, including the use of a model A rim.

UPDATE:  It’s back …..

While I’ve managed not to finish my treatise on jeepneys — the draft form of which includes what a person needs to do to import a jeepney and the prices of some older ones — I really don’t believe this is a 1942 Jeepney.  Even if there are parts leftover from said 1942 jeep, most of the rest of the jeepney looks more like a later model jeepney (though it is not like the latest models).   Here’s a little more about Jeepneys.  If the seller reads this and wishes to correct me, please contact me.

“1942 jeepney ,vietnam era Philippines taxi,this is a unrestored original,it has a great running willy four cyl flat head motor,warn high low with over drive,this jeepney is in good running driving condition,overall condition is good some of the chrome needs to be replated it has a dent on back corner of roof, paint is in great condition has all original parts,my family purchased it in around 1974 had it sent to Sarao Motors to add lettering to personalize it and then had it shipped to Seattle it has alway been garaged and has been hidden in our barn since 1984. One of only a handful left in the world, most have found their way into museums. The Jeepney were constructed from US military jeep left over from World War II, This jeepney was constructed by a company named Sarao Motors,the sarao motor company lengthened wheel base added roofs,side curtains,fender skirts and more, they also painted them in vibrant colors and covered them with bright chrome ornaments,”

View all the pics on eBay

I have no idea what these are worth, but I suspect they aren’t common?  M-151 website

“151 powertrain 12000 mi. has run at my shop on pallet. kept in barn for years. you pick up I have forklift/loader AM general 1973 engine is what tag says has starter, generator, radiator, 24volt system. $900 obo, we’ll talk. I don,t email so call 541 974 4501 Eric from 8am to 9pm”

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/pts/967675736.html