Year Built:1953 Manufacturer: FMC Corp.

Date of first acceptance: August 1953
Total acceptances: 6300+

Crew: 12 men
* Commander in hull right front
* Driver in hull left front
* 10 passengers

Combat weight: 42,600lbs (19,300kg)
Height over cupola: 109.0" (276.9cm)
Length: 221.0" (561.3cm)

Width over track shrouds: 128.5"(326.4cm)
Tread: 103.0" (261.6cm)
Ground clearance: 18.0" (45.7cm)
Ground pressure: zero penetration 8.4psi. (59kg/cm²)

Armament Type: .50cal TTHB MG
Mount: M13cupola
Ammunition: 2205 rounds
Traverse: 360°(manual)
Elevation: Manual

Engine Twin GMC Model 302; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, inline gasoline
Horsepower Net: 254@3350rpm (127/engine)
Gross: 292@3600rpm (146/engine)
Torque Net: 508 ft-lb@1800rpm (254/engine)
Gross: 530 ft-lb@1800rpm (265/engine)
Fuel capacity 135gal (511L)
Transmission: Twin Hydramatic Model 301MG, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering: Controlled differential, steering levers

Max level road speed: 32mph (51kph)
Max water speed: 4.3mph (6.9kph)
Max trench: 66" (170cm)
Max grade: 60%
Max vertical obstacle: 18" (46cm)
Min turning diameter: 30' (9.1m)
Max fording depth: Floats
Cruising range roads: 120mi, (190km)

The M59 was designed as a lower-cost alternative to the M75 armored infantry vehicle. The engines and transmissions of the M59 were in either sponson, leaving the cargo and personnel area free. Troop access to the vehicle was through a large rear ramp which was fitted with an escape hatch, and through roof hatches over the passenger compartment. M59s were amphibious, and a trim vane was located on the hull front slope. Early vehicles were fitted with the Model 300MG Hydramatic transmissions. Early M59s also featured a rotating mount for an M2HB .50cal machine gun around the commander's vision cupola. The commander's cupola on mid-production vehicles sported periscopes instead of the earlier vision blocks, but retained the external .50cal MG mount. Late-production M59s were fitted with the M13 cupola, which was armed with an internally-mounted .50cal machine gun. The early cupolas produced a height of 102.6" (260.6cm), and the mid-production cupolas were 112.5" (285.8cm) tall. Vehicles lacking the M13 cupola could only stow 1470 rounds of .50cal ammunition.

Current Value: $30,000
Condition: Ours is in excellent running condition and needs minimal work.

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