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by csmith » January 30th, 2022, 10:57 pm
Nobody knows more about identifying 151's then Ken so you have the best on your team now!
The domestic stock of 151's is much better than anything coming out of VN in the last 20 years. While it would be great to have one from VN that may have been in the war unless it was removed within the first years after the war it most likely is a patchwork of metal and parts. Unlike Europe after WW2 most of the 151's were not coveted for decades as the average VN had no means, especially in the south which supported the US and was ignored by Hanoi until 25 years ago when they gained most favored nation status and the government opened up a capitalist's economy and much of the western capitol investment into VN happened in the south. Additionally, the unibody construction of the 151's and the thin metal used were not designed to last 45+ years in a wet humid environment. I have seen 151's pulled out of the jungle, likely where they last stopped, which looked like swiss cheese, only to be rebuilt in a dirt floor lean to shed with little more than an anvil, hammer and basic bender.
I am in the furniture industry and have been doing business in VN for 25 years, saw my first 151 one day on my way back into Saigon after a long day working at supplier factories, saw it driving thru town and always wanting an army jeep, said to my factory guy, hey can I buy one? The next day we went around town and found a guy selling them, made a deal, drove around Saigon that evening in it. When it came time to put it in our container of goods I could tell from the photos it was not the jeep I bought, my agent and factory guys meant well but did not know what they were doing, neither did I. In the 6 months between purchasing it and getting it here I educated myself, much with the help of Steve Owens of Owens Exports out of LA and once it arrived, while very cool, too much was remade and a mix of parts. I sold it within 3 months and went about buying one domestically which was original and far better. VN has really opened up in the last 10-15 years, tourist from US and Europe, so much stuff has been bought up, there used to be a great military surplus market in Saigon, now almost everything there is reproduction. You could buy a 151 for $2500 on the street, now they want $20,000 or more if you can find somebody willing to sell.
I have made many friends with the Vietnamese that own 151's and usually spend a day or so with them when in Saigon. These guys are very passionate about their mutts and really use them as they were intended to be used. They get together on weekends, trail ride like crazy, run them thru bogs and into the Saigon river, things most of us would never do, great bunch of guys. They welcomed me into their group like I was family. Haven't been in about 2 years due to CV19 and really miss the place.
I would say again the best tell if it came out of VN recently is bondo, take a magnet along the body, look for cracks, if neither are present you either have a VN mutt that came out early or a domestic mutt. From you photos it looks pretty good.
Either way, it is a winner!
1976 M151A2 4 Color Cammo Mutt, aquired August 09
1976 or 7? M151A2 "Miss Sandy" Driver, aquired May 2010
Former owner M151A2 "Miss Saigon" Vietnam Rescue Sold Sept 09
Fond appreciation for the M151 Breed!!
