Preservation versus Restoration

[Mike Kelly]

Depends on what era and your specific interest. Is the vehicle going to be driven on public roads or trailered to events ? Yes, it is a commendable way of presenting a ex-military vehicle. But in my experience, these 'barn find' originals (WW2 era) that are found in good enough shape to do a basic clean up and drive around, are extremely scarce.

Going back to the 1970s, only 30 years after WW2 ended, nearly all of the vehicles I came across were more or less incomplete 'wrecks'. A few owners did make an effort to look after the vehicles but that was not a common experience.

Just a few short years after being disposed in the early 70s, some of the Studebaker US6 trucks looked like they had been raced in a demolition derby.

It still is possible to buy a more recent type, something like a ex-army Land Rover or Mog and drive it around.