Want! Patton’s Command Car at Auction
Patton’s 4×4 Command Car
It’ll be sold- no reserve- to the highest bidder. Probably end up in Jay Leno’s collection. The rich prick.*grin*
WWII Command Car up for auction — previous owner: Gen. Patton
By: J.D. Simkins
Every so often the lightning-quick chant of an auctioneer dictates the sale of an item that, if it could speak, would yield a limitless stream of captivating stories. One such item, a Dodge WC-57 Command Car, will be up for auction in Auburn, Indiana, on June 13.
The Command Car, a line of military vehicles manufactured between 1942 and 1945 and the predecessor of the post-war Dodge Power Wagon, would have been a noteworthy item in its own right. This one, however, was personally used during World War II by Gen. George S. Patton.
Patton’s 4×4 Command Car, which was part of the 3rd Army headquarters’ motorpool, was built in 1944 with a series of modifications to suit the general’s preferences, according to the host company, Worldwide Auctioneers.
A Browning .30 caliber machine gun mount, armor plating, sirens, horns, auxiliary tanks, and 3rd Army HQ pennants are among the various additions that made this particular vehicle uniquely capable of announcing the commanding presence of the famous general.
A rail was installed behind the vehicle’s front seats, meanwhile, for Patton to hold onto while standing and addressing soldiers on the front lines. The vehicle’s recently refurbished engine, a 92-horsepower Dodge 6-cylinder, won’t win any races but remains in perfectly drivable condition.
“What this vehicle represents is so impactful and so important,” John Kruse, principal of Worldwide Auctioneers said in a video announcing the vehicle’s auction.
“To own a piece of history from World War II such as this … is a spectacular opportunity.”
Read the rest of the article and view more pics here: Military Times
Category: Army
Dude!
I could totally see a Ma Deuce mounted on that thing!
And with a few coolers of beer in the back?
Shazaamm!
Does the Browning come with it and is it funtional?
I towed a number of those out to the impact area at Graf. Tried to get one, but no joy on that target. Broke my heart.
Quick! Hand me two towels! I’m drooling!
You and me BOTH!
Ummm, that might not be drool, guys. It could be a case of involuntary vascular reactions.
Really like that theme song. Good memories.
Is the .30-cal still in working order?
I’m wondering if he had this horn installed.
Would be funny as hell to see “Old Iron Pants” pulling up to the troops with this blaring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRZ4Vi-4qMQ
Also a shout out to The Other Whitey.
Here’s an idea for a Patton diorama when you have some spare time. (smile)
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQPOk2kHRu-YlNe0WOKVjKp0G8Qh_Y9O7mosq2AySx5BlMzCYPJ&usqp=CAU
It’d be ironic if this was bought by a German collector. 😎
Patton’s son, Maj Gen George Patton IV, was a close friend of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s son, Manfred Rommel. Manfred was the former mayor of Stuttgart, and MG Patton was assigned to VII Corps near the city in the mid 70s.
I had the honor of talking to Col. Patton IV as he came thru flight school at Ft Rucker. A fascinating gentleman and a “chip off the old block”. I’ve imagined that if Rommel had survived the war, he and Gen Patton would have been great friends. Great that the sons were.
I also had the opportunity to fix up a 3/4 ton weapons carrier for my section’s transportation to the flight line in RVN 1971. [and to the bars downtown} A successor to Gen. Patton’s ride. DET 11, bumper # (since we were only a detachment instead of a company). Pretty little truck. Got a pic somewhere.
3 stars on the flag, so either we’re to believe this was his car between Jan 44 when he was a Lieutenant General put in charge of the Third Army and April ’45 when he was promoted to General and it was never used again, or someone messed up. 😛
Here is a bunch of different photos:
http://pattonthirdarmy.com/pattoncommandcar.shtml
I work for Third Army currently, would be great to add that to the front (or back of the Headquarters). Doubt we have enough in the bank to properly bid on it though. It’s a Shame.
Got the pics. Get an old Jeep and dress her up? Put the E-4 Mafia on it.
*grin*
Auction in Auburn, IN, a great old car town. Wouldn’t it be something if it was held at a former car plant? Seems to me Cord, Duesenberg, and Auburn were all hq’ed there.
No reserve…
Great that one of his command cars in North Africa had a flag carrying the abbreviation for “Western Task Force.”
Imagine a CENTCOM commander displaying a “WTF” flag.
I know I’ve wanted to fly a flag like that several times.