UPDATE II: Another of these surfaced in 2019.
(12/18/2016) Rudy just purchased this rare and unusual O.C. Szekely-built Ford powered four wheel drive APU. It’s got a an Szekely badge and an O.E. Szekely stamped transmission. I don’t recognize the transfercase, which falls to the driver’s side rather than passenger side.
Thanks to some careful research, Rudy discovered that this vehicle was one of eight deliver to the military on August 25th, 1953. Specifically, “”The vehicle is a specially built two passenger 4X4 truck powered by a FORD eight cylinder engine. . . . A generator mounting chassis, located between the seats, supports the two generators and generator drives” and the “transmission that incorporates the transfer case is designed to transfer engine power to the generator drive”. O. E. Szekely dropped off eight of these vehicles to a shipping service on August 25th, 1953.”
Interesting…I don’t believe Ford put OHV V8’s in cars until 1954.
I think this is the Lincoln 317 cubic inch OHV V8 that Lincoln got in 1952. 205 hp.
That is very cool
Good day to all!
Craig,
you are partially correct. Ford V8 292 Yblocks were first introduced to the “civilian public market” in Ford trucks and cars in 1954.
Collin,
It’s a Ford 292.
Bob,
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!
You are 100% CORRECT, and I couldn’t agree more.
I have one of these in my late father inlaws yard he had two of them one of which he converted to a 50 ton wood splitter that one was just driven on to a trailer and towed to northern ca to continue splitting wood the other looks similar to this one it is 4wd with ford v8 has one seat on driverside pasenger side has the generator going the the backend to controlbox
i
Rudy- I competed the photos of stock 317 C.I.Lincoln engines and 292 c.i. ford engines. What stands out to me are the valve covers on the Lincoln, which have stamped ridges on both sides of the hold down bolts, the Ford does not have those. The crossover pipe on the Lincoln is identical to that on this generator. The Ford crossover pipe is straight with no curves on either side of the Engine unlike the Lincoln. Just my opinion.
Meant to say “compared”.
I just bought one of these in NM, its was modified to be a “nut shaker” for pistachio trees. I will have it here in a couple weeks and will have lots of questions.
Hi Ian,
Sounds like a great find! These units are particularly mysterious. I’ve only seen the one posted above, so to see another might reveal more information about these rigs. Unfortunately, these are so rare that the only information I have about them is contained in the post.
Feel free to email me directly at d@deilers.com if you want to share photos are discuss it more once you receive the vehicle.
Thanks and best of luck!
– Dave
Dave, I just sent you an email with pix
Ian