Restoration of the T-24 Weasel Begins!!!

Click Here to see pictures of the Weasel Sled

Click Here to see the Restoration Kick into High Gear!

After removing the old pickup top and cleaning out the inside of the T-24 Weasel, Matt Heffernan began a close examination of the vehicle. For example, some of the rubber is missing from a couple of bogie wheels. Sources of parts have to be found. Fortunately, fellow 10th Mountain Division Living History Display Group member Russ Morgan is know as "Mr. Weasel." Russ's love of the Weasel has led him to collect Weasel parts from all over the world.

Close up of bogie wheels, one of which is missing rubber.

While the T-24 Weasel has an identifying data plate behind the engine compartment that reads, "U.S. T-24 1714", there is also a rusty data plate behind the driver's seat. After removing the rusty plate and stripping the rust with naval jelly, the data plate displays "M-29 Weasel Cargo Carrier". The serial number is 1427. So this raises questions as to the true serial number of the Weasel. Which data plate do we believe? 

The rusty data plate covered in naval jelly.

First, the 18 bolts on the each side of the body of the Weasel indicate that this definitely has the T-24 body style. Documentation, including "The History of the Studebaker Weasel", state that the U.S. Government's records indicate that only 1,003 T-24s were manufactured. However, many suspect that this is a mistake since evidence exists showing that 2,003 T-24s were actually made. After consulting with "Mr. Weasel" (Russ Morgan), Matt found out that the identifying plate behind the engine compartment lists the body number. So this is T-24 body number 1714. The data plate behind the driver's seat lists the US Government's serial number. After using lots of naval jelly, the US Government serial number is 1427.  

The Weasel awaits restoration.

A close up of some of the body rust above the tracks.

Update: 1/7/06

A new coil has been added. The carburetor has been removed and taken apart. All of the parts have been cleaned. The goal is to bring the Weasel up to Camp Hale for Operation Blizzard on Feb. 24-26, 2006.