M715 e-1

[fishtail]

I was looking thru some archived posts and re-read the MVPA article on the M-715 by Doyle.

http://www.m715zone.com/jonmisc/M715ArmyMotors.pdf

On one of the later pages, there is a mention of 43 trucks built in December 1969. These trucks were "slightly improved and intended for comparison tests against the Chevrolet XM-705".

I believe that the truck that member Rocntj found is one of these trucks.

New to this Forum and M715 Ownership

I would think the modified starting button, E-brake, seats, battery box, etc. would qualify it as a slightly improved version.

Another member posted as having an M725 E-1, but I haven't heard anything more about that truck.

Am I on to something here or are the beers catching up to me.

Scott

[bmac6026]

wow , I have read that article several times and did not catch the "43" until now !

[brute4c]

Same here...dont know how many times I have read that...

I was under the impression that the XM705 was one of the 2 competitors to the M715 at the time of the original Invitation for Bids in late 65...guess not or there was a revised version of the XM705 as well as the M715...

[k8icu]

I think Dave Doyle got that wrong. The M705 was in compitition for the M37 replacement which the M715 won. Not sure what went on in 1969, but I do know the army put a stop to all tests etc while they conducted a study which lead to the purchase of the W200 dodge civy trucks which became the M880 serries in the mid 70s.

[brute4c]

Thanks for that Joe!

I do have the SAE paper called "Procurement and Development of the M715 1¼ Ton Truck Series" and it states basically that there were 3 companies that put vehicles in the original competition....so if the XM705 and XM715 are 2 then there was another...possibly a Dodge I suspect but no proof at all...maybe a XM695?

[oddave]

I am not bashing the MV mag guys, but they are not always correct. So don't take it for the truth just because it is in there. I have seen several inaccuracies. Pics are not always of exact. The oct '05 issue had the 715 article and there is a pic of a winch truck with a nonwinch bumper and there is a pic on page 101 of the back end of a truck and the fuel filler is moved and there has been some metal added at the bottom of the fender. And it has civilian tires. I know most of us would catch these things. But for a new guy learning about mv's who doesn't know, it is a little misleading. I just think if you are gonna write an article you need to have your facts straight and use pics that are portaying a 100% correct military vehicle. Its not like there is only one m715 in the world and no one has any pics of it when it was all correct or anything, there are plenty of them and I am sure someone here would have been happy to have their truck used for the pics. Just my $.02.

[randyscycle]

Human beings, being what they are do make mistakes.

That said, I'd probably have more trust in what David Doyle puts into print than many. He is usually very accurate and does a lot of research. If there is any doubt, or foggy areas, he is usually very quick to admit such in his articles and books.

[Rocntj]

Thanks for the link to to the David Doyle article. I had not read that previously and it was very informative. Since you guys informed me that my truck was a bit different from the rest of the production run I have been trying to do some research to find out more about it. I watched the video "The M715 Story" that was made by Kaiser and in the end of it they mention that they were working on an improved version of the M715 that would include a relocated battery box and a third seat. So with that and the information contained in this article I am confident that those mods probably came from the factory. I am also fairly confident that the starter switch and firewall mounted solenoid also were original. It was pretty obvious where the fire department modified the wiring and added switches etc. and the starter switch and wiring is all included in the factory wiring harness. I am also confident that the hood on my truck is original. It has the military number underneath and I found the old holes for the Hood mounted blackout light that were welded shut and painted over.

If there were indeed 43 of the E-1 versions made then hopefully another one will turn up somewhere. I would love to have some more reference information for my restoration. I eagerly await more information to help solve the E-1 mystery

Tom

[k8icu]

I believe it was the dodge Jon. Dodge wanted to update the M37 and keep the contract with the government. I'm not 100% on that, but in my memory banks I seem to recall reading that. Man I've forgotten so much stuff after 25 years in this hobby.

[brute4c]

Makes perfect sense to me that they would have...thats why I guessed that...be nice if we could actualy find the government docs on all this...if they even exist anymore...


Rocntj, I agree with your assumptions and I like the way you are deducing these things...it would be nice to have a writeup of the certain and suspected differences between yours and the standard M715...describing this variant, and such a rare one would be great tech!