Crossover Kaiser: M715 Jeep Fire Truck

 A friend who is an exotic car dealer once told me, "Dollar for dollar, you can't have more fun than owning a fire engine." Certainly they are cheap enough (initially!) and almost always well maintained. But older units lack a transmission overdrive -which means they are pretty tough to drive anywhere over 50 mph. And then there is that concern about where to store it...

This cool unit hits a lot of buttons with me: Jeep, 4x4, Fire Equipment, Military...all there in one delightfully scruffy package.

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/ctd/2131502903.html

Starting in 1967, Kaiser made over 30,000 of these M715 Military Jeeps available to local fire departments for brushfire, ambulance, and search and rescue trucks. The canvas soft top indicates that indeed this vehicle was originally supplied to the military. Other civilian units had factory hard tops. Powered by the venerable 230 cubic inch Inline 6 Engine with a four speed transmission and mated to a Dana 60 axle in front and a Dana 70 in the rear. Many of these vehicles remain in service to this day around the country.

This truck has charisma that a Hummer could only aspire to. If I had a tree farm or logging operation, this would be a no-brainer. With the bumper mounted winch, it is practically daring you to go out and try to get it stuck in the mud. How about an engine swap with a 5.9 Cummins diesel?  The possibilities are endless. And yes, you can still get in the Fourth of July parade.

Available in Kenosha, WI for $5950.

UPDATE 1.10.11: THIS RARE FIRE TRUCK WAS REMOVED FROM SALE AFTER ONLY 24 HOURS ON BARNFINDER! SOMEONE GOT A GREAT DEAL.