Do you have a small utility trailer similar to the WWII Jeep trailer, that has a tailgate and a civilian ball hitch coupler?

 

    American Central Manufacturing (ACM) supplied tubs and frames to the American Bantam Car Company for the Model T3 and also to Willys Overland Motors Inc for the Model MB-T who were both under contract during WWII to produce 1/4 ton amphibious trailers and kept parts interchangeable between the two models. Through military records we can determine how many amphibious trailers were built and when, but there currently is not any known "Official" civilian production records.

 

     I’ve created a database where I'd like to be able to track exactly when Bantam modified existing Military Model T3 amphibious trailers which had stopped production around July 1945, and began selling a Civilian Model T3-C to the general public as a utility trailer that could be towed by the family automobile around September 1945. I do have newspaper article and ad documentation proving "Sep 1945" is accurate.

 

    Once all the ACM parts on hand were used up, Bantam began using their own design and manufactured tubs and frames. I would also like to document when particular production changes took place in an attempt to help narrow serial number ranges which could help determine date of manufacture...the distinctive differences that are NOT just a bolt-on accessory would be the ones to identify and check on...

 

Look below at the various identified production changes so far and send me the data on your trailer to be added to the database.

 

 

Year if known:

 

Serial Number:

 

 

 ACM Number: (If your trailer has four side tie downs it is most likely an ACM Trailer)

 

 

 

 

T3 Trailer Holes: (only applicable to ACM tubs)

 

 

 

T3 Floor Drain Hole Patch: (only applicable to ACM tubs)

 

 

 

 

 

Data Plate Style: Early, Mid, Late

 


 

 

 

Data Plate Location: High or Low

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tailgate Hinges Early: (only applicable to first few 300 ACM tubs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Frame Corner Gussets: B/O Hole, Mid, Late


 

Shock Mount Holes: (If your trailer has four side tie downs it is most likely an ACM Trailer)

 

 

 

 Rear Bed Supports: Tube or Sheet Metal

 

 

 

 

Drawbar Casting: Early, Mid, Late

 

 

 

 Safety Chain Tow Hooks: Early or Late

 

 

 

Spring Shackles: Early, Late

 

 

 

Spring Mount Hanger Holes: Y or N

 

 

 

Drawbar Gussets: "V" Notch or Angle

 

 

Drawbar Mounting Hardware:

 

 

Tarpaulin Tie Downs: 4-2-1 or 3-1-1

 

 

 

Reflector Bezel MFG & Model or Missing (see both this image and the next one below)

 

 

Reflector Lens MFG & Model or Missing (see both this image and the the one above)

 

 

 

Tail Lamp MFG & Model or Missing (Arrow Model 41 or 7341) (see both this image and the next one below)

 

 

 

Tail Lamp MFG & Model or Missing (Arrow Model 41 or 7341) (see both this image and the next one above)

 

 

 

Wheels: Combat, Solid Disk, CJ2 Style

 

 

Paint Color: Red or Green

 

 

 

Axle: Smooth Solid Tube or Two Piece Center Welded Seam

 

 

 

Options: Bows, Racks, Tarpaulin or Cargo Cover, License Plate Bracket

 

 

 

Stencil: Early, Mid, Late

 

 

 

Location: Your City, State

 

Remarks: (purchase price, location, family history, anything to share

 

Please send me detailed information for the above and unedited full resolution pictures to: bantamt3c@gmail.com

 

Picture Request:  Click for example of the pose I'm requesting

 

Dataplate

Left Side

Right Side

Front

Rear

Draw Bar with Hitch and Safety Chain Hooks

Floor with drain patch on early tubs

Tailgate

Reflector (close up showing MFG and Model #

Tail Lamp

Rear Spring Shackles

Axle and Springs (showing welded Seam or Solid Tube)

ACM Number

How To Identify Your Bantam T3-C Trailer