How I got started

[Threetoughtrucks]

I grew up as a city kid, in The Bronx, NYC. My Dad taught me to drive on a push button auto in an old Chrysler. When I joined the Army (a hundred years ago) I was sent to Korea. Part of my duties was a daily courier run to division HQ. I had a M-37 and M-151A1 as my official/personal vehicles, they had to teach me to drive a stick. I made the daily runs using every back road & tank trail over whatever mountain was between my unit and HQ. I had a ball. A normal half hour drive took me hours. Longer in winter weather, with snow and ice. I had a great time.
I always said that in low 4 wheels drive my M-37 could drive up a wall. I loved it. I did flip the M-151 but never the M-37. Never got stuck with the M-37.
Kept driving the M-37 in Vietnam but couldn't play off road in VN. Local people didn't like it, and they had guns....

I was on a business trip in 1976 to KC and turned on the tv and there was a story a convention of MV guys. Knocked my socks off, I never dreamed there were other guys that felt like me. I went, enjoyed myself, joined and been a member since of MVPA. It was MVCC then.

My first MV was a WC-56 Command Car. I taught my boys to drive on it when they were about 5. The torch was passed. I've owned a number of M-37's, even a M-201. I now own a 62 M-37B1, 68 M-715 w/w, and a 77 M-882. All licensed, drivable and we use all three at every chance we get.
TTT

[Kevin Hampton]

Great drivers Training

Great story, It's nice when your hobby can turn into a family event. We just celebrated my oldest boys fifth birthday this weekend, and I plan on teaching him how to drive in my M-37. He (and his little brother) already ride around all the time on my lap holdin on to the wheel!
I have always said that it is best to learn how to drive in and old truck, makes you learn how to allow extra room for stopping, how to manhandle the steering etc...and hopefully how to work on them. Thanks again, I cant wait till I can look back on these great times and memories like I do about me and my dad.

[Threetoughtrucks]

It is great "passing the torch".
We had a huge field accross the road and my guys would drive around as soon as their feet could reach the pedals.
One of my guys is a "backyard mechanic", he maintains and restores our trucks. He's heavy into mud, driving our trucks, his quads, trike, he always has something new. He is FDNY and loves it. Actually his first day out of the academy was 9-11-01, but that is another story.
My big guy is a Supervising Mechanic, working on Big trucks. He loves it.
Both my guys drive "civvie", the closest to a car they have is a Jeep Cherokee (rebuild into a lifted mini mud bogger).
My guys rebuilt my M-880 engine (it's actually and M-882 but who outside the hobby even knows the difference) last year and they are always working on something.
I've been going to shows with them for twenty five years, picking up parts, either I wanted on my trucks or would put on "when I had time". I retired and the day has come. My boys due heavy work & I used to supervise them, now both have far passed me as mechanics.........I love it.
Our trucks can be seen at: WWW.geocities.com/M37M880/
TTT