1945 T14E1 (M4A3) ARV

Bidding starts 12 Dec 2025
Auction ends 20 Dec 2025
Reserve applicable Bidding day & times Viewing day available
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It is believed that this is the only surviving example of a T14E1, the pilot model of the M32A1B3. The US Marines ordered 50 ARVs with HVSS for the anticipated invasion of Japan (Operation Downfall). To start, in April 1945, 30 new M4A3 (105) HVSS were diverted from the line at Chrysler and sent to Baldwin Locomotive for the conversions. The contract was for T14E1s, not for M32A1B3s; what distinguishes a T14E1 from an M32A1B3 is that they had factory HVSS, not a retrofit. The lifting drum was re...

It is believed that this is the only surviving example of a T14E1, the pilot model of the M32A1B3. The US Marines ordered 50 ARVs with HVSS for the anticipated invasion of Japan (Operation Downfall). To start, in April 1945, 30 new M4A3 (105) HVSS were diverted from the line at Chrysler and sent to Baldwin Locomotive for the conversions. The contract was for T14E1s, not for M32A1B3s; what distinguishes a T14E1 from an M32A1B3 is that they had factory HVSS, not a retrofit. The lifting drum was removed from the right idler and replaced with a boom lifting arm mounted on the glacis. It was once a roadside advertisement for the Imperial Palace Car Museum in Las Vegas. Later it belonged to the Military Vehicle Preservation Group of Spooner, Wisconsin.

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Location
Nederweert, The Netherlands
Year of construction
April 1945
Country of origin
United States of America
Manufacturer
International Harvester Company
Type
T14E1 (M4A3) ARV
Condition
Good runner/ In complete condition
Margin Goods
No margin goods; VAT applicable

Details

Condition

It is an older restoration, and the ARV had been standing still for some time, but it was made running again in early 2024 using a separate fuel tank.
Overall, the quality and condition of the restoration are excellent. Many NOS parts were used; something that would be nearly impossible to achieve today.

  • Older restoration;

  • Runs, drives and steers;

  • Needs maintenance;

  • Has two 12V NATO batteries;

  • Runs on separate fuel tank.

Technical details

Manufacturer
International Harvester Company (M4A3 (105) HVSS: Chrysler)
Model
T14E1 (M4A3) ARV
Manufacturing date
30 April 1945
Serial number
50
Length (without boom)
232 in (5,89 m)
Width
8.9 ft (2,70 m)
Height (top up)
116 in (2,95 m)
Weight
64,100 lb. (29.075 kg)
Max. speed (land)
26 mph (41 km/h)
Operational range
103 mi (165 km)
Main armament
81 mm mortar, note mortar not included.
Secondary armament
1x cal .30 (7,65 mm) and 1x cal .50 (12,7 mm) machine gun. Note secondary armament not included.
Engine
Ford GAA, 8 cylinder, DOHC 60°V8 gasoline, Displacement: 1,100 cu in (18 L), Power output: 525HP at 2.600 RPM, Torque: 1,100 lbs. (1.400 Nm)
Crew
4
Armor
0,5 – 1,9 in (13-51 mm)
Production numbers
Baldwin Locomotive and International Harvester completed 50 Tank Retriever conversions

History

Why is this T14E1 TRV so special?

For that, we have to go back to 1944 and in particular to the war against Japan in the Pacific and at that time still current plans for an invasion of Japan under the name ‘Operation Downfall’.
The tanks that the American Marines would use for the invasion of Japan were M4A3(75) and M4A3(105) with HVSS. For the sake of uniformity, the USMC requested 50 Tank Recovery Vehicles based on the M4A3 with HVSS in April 1945.

To that end, Baldwin Locomotive and International Harvester completed 50 Tank Retriever conversions based on the new production M4A3 (105) HVSS Shermans that were actually pulled off the Chrysler production line in the spring of 1945. These conversions were given the nomenclature "T14E1" (Source Joe DeMarco).

As is well known, the invasion of Japan never happened. With the surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945, this meant the end of World War II. But not for long. On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops invaded South Korea. A war that lasted until July 27, 1953 and cost the lives of more than 1 million people.

Of the 50 T14E1 TRV, a large number were shipped to Korea. This is evidenced by the photo below with the caption; 'a T14E1 Tank Retriever pulling back up onto the road after bypassing a bridge on the road to Hamhung Korea'.

LOT NUMBER

  • Each lot is assigned a specific lot number. This number is allocated one day before the lots are opened for bidding.

VIEWING DAYS

  • Inspections during viewing days are on: Saturday December 13, 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: October 21st 2025 19.00 (CET)

  • Bidding starts: Saturday December 12, 2025 18.00 (CET)

  • Bidding ends: Saturday December 20, 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

  • This lot is sold strictly as described in the auction listing on our website (https://tracksandtrade.com/).

  • Cars, motorcycles, trucks, cannons or howitzers, armored vehicles, and tanks are sold in as-is/where-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.

    Deactivated weapons (EU regulation)
    A deactivated weapon is a genuine firearm that has been modified so it can no longer discharge any bullet, missile, or other projectile.

    Legal basis
    All deactivated weapons offered in this auction are deactivated/neutralized in accordance with EU Regulation 2015/2403, as incorporated into Dutch law on 13 May 2016.

    Delivery within the EU (European buyers)
    To ship a deactivated firearm we must verify that you are at least 18 years old.
    Please provide a copy of a valid identity document (ID card, passport or driver’s license).
    Once we have received and checked this document, we can send the deactivated weapon and its certificate at the buyer’s expense.

    Important note
    No lot will be delivered or shipped without the presentation of the documents mentioned above.
    The buyer is responsible for their purchase once the lot is awarded and will pay at least the related costs.


    Delivery outside the EU (non‑European buyers)
    If you are a non‑EU resident intending to purchase an EU deactivated weapon, it is your responsibility to confirm whether ownership is permitted under the laws of your country.
    You may need to provide a valid firearm license before we can ship your purchased deactivated weapon, as we comply with Dutch export regulations for (deactivated) weapons.
    Any additional actions required and associated costs in such a transaction will be charged to the buyer.

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 accounting@tracksandtrade.com if you have any questions or concerns. No item will be allowed to be collected without 100% of all legal requirements being fulfilled.

COLLECTION

  • Specific address details will be provided upon request and to the successful bidder/ Buyer.

  • Delivery: Ex Works.

LOT REMOVAL DEADLINE

  • All lots must be collected no later than Friday, February 7, 2025, and only after full payment has been received and all legal requirements have been met.

  • No storage fees will be charged prior to this date. After this period, storage fees will apply.

  • For buyers from the United States or other distant destinations, tailored arrangements can be made upon request.

SHIPPING & HANDLINGS COSTS

  • All shipping, packaging, and any special handling expenses (e.g., crane hire or specialized equipment) are the sole responsibility of the Buyer and will be invoiced at actual cost plus a 10% handling fee.

LATE PICK-UP & STORAGE FEES

  • Any lot not collected by Saturday, February 7, 2025, will be placed in secure storage at the Buyer’s expense, with the following weekly storage rates applied (excluding 21% VAT):

  • Parts & accessories: €25 per lot per week

  • Cars and motorcycles: €50 per lot per week

  • Armored vehicles, tanks, cannons, etc.: €75 per lot per week

Need Assistance?
Please feel free to contact us for support or questions:
Phone: +31 6 518 22 502
Email: info@tracksandtrade.com
We are here to guide you through every step of the process and will do our utmost to assist you.

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.

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.

NOTE

  • By placing a bid, whether successful or not, the bidder agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions as set forth on this website (www.tracksandtrade.com) and in the applicable general terms and conditions. It is the bidder’s responsibility to review and familiarize themselves with all such terms prior to placing a bid.

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 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 (info@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 (www.baiv.nl) 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.

Feel free to get in touch

Ivo Rigter Sr.

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