Description

1937 Marmon Herrington “Little Big Foot” – The Jeep brand boasts its long history of producing all-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles. What most everyone has forgotten is that Ford offered a V-8-powered 4×4 wagon more than a decade earlier than the trend-setting 1949 Jeep, produced in conjunction with Marmon-Herrington. Marmon-Herrington Incorporated was formed in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1931 by Walter C. Marmon and Colonel Arthur W. Herrington. The two took over the old Indianapolis Duesenberg assembly plant after it shut down and began building 4×4 and 6×6 trucks for the Army. Their first civilian vehicles were converted Ford 1½-ton chassis, in 1935. The first light-duty vehicles came in 1937, and by 1939 there were some 56 different models of Marmon-Herrington Ford conversions. They were offered not only as pickups and station wagons, but also in chassis, stake truck, panel truck, coupe sedan, and sedan delivery form, with 85 hp V-8 engines.

Offered today is the one and only “Little Bigfoot” from the former collection of Don Chew. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, a quick search will provide details of Don’s extensive knowledge of Marmon Herrington vehicles. In fact, he was widely known as the foremost authority and avid historian of these before his unfortunate passing. This 1937 is an exact replica of the prototype vehicle M-H used to display what the company could produce for the US Army on a 1937 chassis. It was built by Don Chew himself over a two year period and was said to be the prize of his collection. This Ford sits on a 2-ton chassis and powered by the original 85hp flat-head V8. It features a 4-speed manual transmission and, obviously, a trademark 4×4 M-H suspension. The Goodyear Military tires are still present and are in great condition. This restoration was competed a few years back but still presents extremely well. The owners have taken care and great pride in preserving this piece of automotive history. It has only seen 175 miles of asphalt since completion and has always been garage kept. Now is your opportunity to continue its legacy by adding this remarkable Marmon Herrington to your collection.