Australian Car Guide

My 1965 Ford M-151A1 (Mutt), in the markings of E-Troop, 17th CAV, 173d Airborne Brigade (separate), Vietnam era, circa 1969
- Dave Brown, Thomasville, Pa.

1966 M151-A1 courtesy of the Georgia Military Vehicles Preservation Society (see US Clubs)

The Military Utility Tactical Truck, or `MUTT', or M151, was developed in the 1950s and first delivered in 1960. Ford won the design competition and its M151 featured monocoque construction and all-round independent suspension. Its construction accounts for the vehicle's very low stance.

There were three main generations: M151, M151A1 and M151A2. The M151 and M151A1 had independent suspension all round, with swing axles (similar to the VW Beetle) at the rear. This could cause over-steer and was considered dangerous so the later M151A2 had a live rear axle.

The M151A2 pictured was built by AM General Corp. under licence from Ford and was snapped at the Australia day parade.

• M151: 1960-
• M151A1: 1964-
• M151A2: 1970-1983

Bob Talbot writes ...
Although the live axle was considered for the rear of the M151A2 as a departure from the M151A1's swing axles, it was deemed unacceptable and a semi-trailing rear suspension was instead adopted.

Left: a shot of the rear suspension on a M718 1/4 ton (capacity) ambulance showing the diff' and axles.
- Larry Stanley

Anzac Day

Military vehicles page