1944 International H542-9 Tractor & Fruehauf semi-trailer
The M425 is a rare truck, but its combination with the Fruehauf CPT 22 Semi Trailer makes it truly unique. The Fruehauf CPT 22, with a loading capacity of 48,500 lbs (22,000 kg), is ideal for transporting light tanks and armored vehicles, ranging from worshop visits to events around the country and beyond.
Location
Nederweert, The Netherlands
Year of construction
1944
Country of origin
United States of America
Manufacturer
International Harvester Company
Type
Tractor: M 425 COE/Trailer: CPT-22
Condition
Older restoration/ Good running condition
Starting bid
€ 2.500
Margin Goods
Yes margin goods;
No VAT applicable
Details
Condition
This combination is a remarkable discovery, with the M425 COE originating from France and the CPT 22 from the Netherlands. In the 1980s, the M425 was directly released from the army and has never been used for civilian purposes. It was restored near Versailles, France, where the original Red Diamond engine was replaced with a Hispano Suiza Diesel. Additionally, an original WWII-era Tulsa winch was installed on the rear bed for hauling operations in conjunction with the trailer.
Although both units are older restorations, the M425 COE and the CPT 22 semi-trailer remain in good condition. They will undergo complete servicing in our Nederweert workshop prior to delivery. The original engine has been replaced by a reliable Hispano Suiza 6-cylinder diesel engine and an additional WW-II model winch has been fitted on the rear deck for recovery and haulage operations.
The International Harvester has French papers, but has no Dutch road registration.
Note1: Our trusted partner, BAIV, is a recognized restoration company with extensive experience in obtaining Dutch vehicle registrations and import/export permits. They can assist with these processes as needed; certain conditions do apply. We recommend contacting Track & Trade before bidding to discuss available options and any potential costs involved.
Technical details
- Specifications Tractor:
- Manufacturer
- International Harvester Company
- Model
- Truck, 5-ton, 4 x 2, Tractor (COE), M425 (Model H542-9)
- Chassis number
- 5391
- Manufacturing date
- 1944
- Length
- 16 ft 8 in (5,08 m)
- Width
- 7 ft 10 in (2,5 m)
- Height
- 8 ft 11 in (2,7 m)
- Height (top down)
- 7 ft 7 in (2.1 m)
- Weight
- 11.400 Ib. (5.175 kg)
- Max. speed
- 35 mph (56 km/h)
- Operational range (loaded)
- 280 miles (450 km)
- Engine (currently)
- Hispano Suiza 6-cylinder, diesel
- Crew
- 2
- Production numbers
- 4640
- Road registration
- No Dutch road registration (French papers included)
- Specifications Trailer:
- Manufacturer
- Fruehauf Trailer Company
- Model trailer
- Semi-Trailer, Flat Bed, 22-Ton Model CPT-22
- Chassis number
- 14869
- Manufacturing date
- 1943
- Length
- 39 ft (11,9 m)
- Width
- 8 ft 8 in (2,6 m)
- Height
- 5 ft 7 in (1,70 m)
- Weight
- 12.790 lb. (5.801 kg)
- Loading capacity
- 48,500 Ib. (22.000 kg)
- Road registration
- No Dutch road registration (French papers included)
History
The International Harvester Company (in short IHC) of Chicago, Illinois was one of the leading manufacturers of vehicles in WW-II. In 1943 the US Ordnance Corps initiated designs for a new, compact semi-tactical 4×2 tractor truck, with short wheelbase and overall length and a military pattern soft-top cab, mounted over the engine, to supplant the potpourri of existing types.
Two variants were envisaged: a light type for use with 16-foot 5-ton semi-trailers and an up-rated, heavier type for hauling 25-foot 10-ton semi-trailers. They were intended for use by the Transportation Corps and by Ordnance.
The vehicles were developed and prototyped by International and went into quantity production in early 1944 with model designations H-542-9 and H-542-11.
Deployment
The truck was a very welcome and successful piece of equipment for all strategic purposes such a long-distance road haulage of cargo. Main areas of operation became the China/Burma/India theatre and the ETOUSA (European Theatre of Operations, US Army).
Many were used by the truck companies of the Quartermaster Corps in the Communications Zone of ETOUSA. A nice example was the 3885th QM Truck Company (TC) which trucked supplies and reinforcements to the front lines from D-Day to VE-Day). The 542s were also in evidence in such operations as the Berlin Airlift soon after the war.
Note to buyer
LOT NUMBER
Each lot is assigned a specific lot number. This number is allocated one day before the lots are opened for bidding
Specific address details will be provided upon request and to the successful bidder/ Buyer.
VIEWING DAYS
Inspections during viewing days are on: Saturday June 21 2025. (The M36 Jackson 90mm Gun Motor Carriage can only be viewed on Sunday 22 June, 2025).
Participation in the viewing days is subject to specific conditions.
Given the fact that these are often very special items whose condition, no matter how hard we try, cannot always be described 100% completely, we really recommend that you make use of this.
IMPORTANT DATES
Auction catalogue online: May 1st 2025 19.00 (CET)
Bidding starts: Saturday June 21 2025 18.00 (CET)
Bidding ends: Saturday June 28 2025 19.00 (CET)
Times:
Amsterdam NL (CET): 07:00 PM (19:00)
London: 08:00 PM (18:00)
New York USA: 13:00 AM (13:00)
Sydney AUS: 05:00 AM (05:00),next day
BUYER’S PREMIUM
On all lots a buyer’s premium of 16,5% of the hammer price is charged. Over this buyer’s premium a 21% sales tax (VAT) will be applicable.
VEHICLES & VEHICLE RELATED EQUIPMENT
Cars, motorcycles, trucks, cannons or howitzers, armored vehicles, and tanks are sold in as-is condition, with no technical guarantee and guarantee of authenticity and with or without registration.
ARMS & WEAPONS
The Auction House will not supply ANY item unless the correct paperwork and licensing – if needed – has been supplied by the Buyer in full.
If required and applicable (fire)arms can be made inoperable or permanently disabled by BAIV in The Netherlands as being a licensed Arms & Weapons Dealer Registration Nr. NL20191618779. In this case all relevant cost will be charged to the Buyer in addition and have to be paid in advance in full. Collection by appointment only.
MARGIN/ VAT
However, for most of the lots 21% sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be not applicable, it might be that in some specific cases sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be charged. In such a case this will be specifically specified in the lot description. For all other lots the margin scheme will be applicable. For more info see our General Conditions of Sale Article 9 on our website; www.tracksandtrade.com
IMPORT & EXPORT
Depending on the destination and content of the Lot the Buyer shall obtain an International Import Certificate / End User Certificate. Some of the items listed in the auction may require special licenses or permits or existing documents must be prepared for export. If this is relevant, Tracks & Trade will take care of this. The applicable costs will be charged to the successful bidder. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns. No item will be allowed to be collected without 100% of all legal requirements being fulfilled.
COLLECTION
The date and time of collection of purchased lots shall always be determined by mutual agreement between the buyer and the seller, and only after the full purchase amount has been received by the seller. If the buyer wishes to make extended use of the storage location—for instance, due to permit procedures—the seller may charge additional storage fees. The seller must communicate any such charges to the buyer in advance, allowing the buyer to seek alternative storage arrangements if preferred.
DELIVERY
The buyer is responsible for the transportation of the purchased goods, unless otherwise agreed. Tracks & Trade can assist with or arrange transportation at additional cost. Please contact us for more information.
Shipping, and packing costs and special costs that arise for loading special items, such as crane costs or costs for hiring special equipment etc., will be charged to the Buyer on the basis of actual costs + a surcharge of 10%. Naturally, you can count on us when it comes to the shipment of your purchases. We are happy to take care of that.
STORAGE
If you have any specific questions, please contact us either by telephone (+31 6 518 22 502) or E-mail ([email protected]). We are happy to help and support you through the entire process. We will do our utmost to please and comfort you. So, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
All information and transactions are subject to the general terms and conditions (Version 2.0 dated 29-04-2022). For more detailed information visit our website.
Shipping Information
After buying a classic military vehicle or other items such as cannons, planes, howitzers and tanks, there are several steps you would typically need to take:
Legalities
In principle, no special permit is required for unarmored wheeled and tracked vehicles. In many cases, an export procedure that is comparable to that for exporting classic cars and motorcycles is sufficient. Military collectables older than 75 years and with a value over Euro 50k are basically considered as National Heritage. In such cases an export permit must be requested from the National Ministry of Culture of the exporting country. Tanks, howitzers and self-propelled or towed cannons often require specific permits that are highly dependent on the country of shipment and the country of destination. This may involve registering the item with the appropriate authorities and complying with any regulations regarding its ownership and use. In such a case it is advisable to contact us in advance because we have many decades of experience in the import and export of Classic Military Heritage. Based on this experience, we can generally quickly provide feedback on what applies to you. This is especially relevant because regulations in this regard change every now and then and sometimes, we also have to deal with export-restrictions. In short: if you want to be sure, contact us in time to avoid difficulties at a later stage.
Storage
Find a suitable storage location for your collectable, preferably a secure and legal place where you can keep it when not in use. This could be a garage, warehouse, or even a specially designed storage facility or museum.Transportation
After you have all the paperwork in place the next step will be the (oversees) transport to your desired location. This may involve hiring specialized transport and broker services due to permits, size and weight. In this case we can also support you with organizing the transport or make sure you get in contact with dedicated brokers and import agents.Maintenance and Restoration
Depending on the condition of your military collectable, our partner BAIV can help you with maintenance and restoration work to ensure that it is safe and operational. This could involve relatively easy maintenance and repair or service till a Class-A restoration. In such a case please contact BAIV (www.baiv.nl).Training
If you intend to operate a vehicle then make sure you have manuals that describe how to operate the vehicle. Nowadays there are numerous reprints available on the Internet that explain to you in a playful way how to drive and operate your vehicle. This is often a team effort, which makes owning such a vehicle extra attractive. If required, you can also involve/hiring a professional instructor or attend specialized training courses to learn how to drive and maintain it safely. In such a case, our partner BAIV can also support you.Insurance
Consider obtaining insurance coverage for your vehicle to protect yourself against any potential accidents or liabilities that may arise from owning and operating it. Often there are specialized insurance companies offering these kinds of services. Local military vehicle clubs often also know their way around the specific options offered by insurance companies.Enjoyment
Finally, once everything is in place, you can enjoy owning and, if permitted, operating your classic military vehicle, cannon or howitzer. Whether it's for display purposes or for participating in historical reenactments, owning such a great unit can be a unique and rewarding experience.
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