The Story
With a five-ton crane and winches that can pull almost anything, this M816 is a beastly workhorse, but is there anyone willing to pay nearly $50k for it?.
Craigslist Add Jalopnik on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover Acknowledging that it’s a bit of a niche vehicle, the seller of today’s Nice Price or No Dice AMG M816 wrecker highlights its potential as a logging truck. Whatever usefulness it might provide, it will certainly stand out doing it. Let’s decide whether it has an outstanding price, too.
Craigslist One of the complaints leveled at yesterday’s Tahoe was that it wasn’t 4WD, making it less useful in inclement weather or as a tow vehicle. No such grievance could be made about today’s 1970 American General M816 wrecker, as it has three axles and ten tires, all of which can be turned in anger. Based on the warning on one of the many dashboard plaques, though, they can only be turned up to a maximum of 56 miles per hour in top fifth gear. Of course, speed isn’t this truck’s forte: lifting and pulling heavy stuff is its jam.
The M816 Wrecker is part of a family of heavy-duty tactical trucks built by AM General for the U.S. Military between 1970 and 1982. Other members of the family included stake-bed cargo trucks, fifth-wheel tractor trucks, dump trucks, and enclosed box trucks.
The ad claims this wrecker was totally refurbished, with just 7,181 miles on the odometer and 564 hours on the engine. According to the seller, it’s been kept in a climate-controlled garage (or, more likely, a hangar) for the past decade and now needs to go because the space it occupies is needed for something else. Or maybe four something elses.
Craigslist Okay, why though would anyone need an old military wrecker like this?. Well, the seller says in the ad that it could be a valuable asset for loggers, and seeing as it’s offered in Colorado—a place known for having many trees—that’s not a bad marketing tactic. It also appeals to the military vehicle collector crowd, who like these kinds of things in ways the rest of us might not.
Why It Matters
No such grievance could be made about today’s 1970 American General M816 wrecker, as it has three axles and ten tires, all of which can be turned in anger.
CarMotion Daily’s Take
Supply chains, regulations, and consumer demand are reshaping the playbook faster than five-year plans can keep up. Dealer networks and service capacity will need to evolve alongside whatever the headline announcement implies. Regulatory filings, supplier contracts, and any production-volume adjustments usually trail the headline by a quarter or two. Stock price moves and dealer council chatter are leading indicators worth monitoring.
📝 Source & Copyright Notice
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