David Eilers

1953 US Navy Smalley Port-O-Spot on ProxiBid

Andy shared this rarely seen US Navy Smalley Port-O-Spot. It's another odd utility vehicle partly built with Willys-Overland parts. Only a couple hours left in the bidding; the high bid is currently $3100.

https://www.proxibid.com/Very-rare-very-early-rail-car-mover-track-mobile-1953-U-S-NAVY-Smalley-Port-O-Spot/lotInformation/68513627

"Made by Oxnard Heavy Maintenance & Mfg Co. Oxnard California. It has a Willys drivetrain, and it does run and drive."

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7 Comments

  1. Mark S.
    That is just about the oddest machine I have ever seen, I had to read the description carefully to figure out what it is used for. It seems like it would have been easier to just modify a standard jeep.
  2. CPO SHARKEY
    THIS IS A LAWN MOWER -- THE NAVY USED THESE TO MOW LAWNS AT NAVAL AIR STATIONS --- I KNOW , MY WW2 NAVY HERO PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR POPS WAS STATIONED AT ONE BACK IN THE 50'S -- WE USED TO SEE THESE WHEN WE WENT TO THE NAVY EXCHANGE OR THE COMMISARY -- SOME PEOPLE DONT REALIZE THAT THERES A LOT OF NAVY PRESENCE ON DRY GROUND !! -- ALL THEY SEE IS THE SHIPS AT SEA !!
  3. Bingo
    In the Navy. Mowin lawns. Swabbin their big decks. Is this where Weed Whacker came from
    1. David Eilers
      Bingo, I don't know for sure, but Vernon seems to think it was likely used that way. It sure could have a mower deck under it. - Dave
  4. EAT YOUR WEEDIES
    SIR ?? -- I DONT KNOW WHAT THE HELL THAT THING IS -- IT DOES LOOK LIKE SOMETHING I USED TO SEE AT THE N.A.S. ? -- ITS AS ODD LOOKING AS THE MINNEAPOLIS MOLINE JEEP THATS ABANDONED NEAR KEN KESEYS OLD FARM IN OREGON -- I DIDNT EVEN READ THE DESCRIPTION -- ITS SOME KIND OF RAILROAD CAR ?? -- I SEE TRAIN WHEELS ON THE PORT AND STARBOARD SIDES ? -- MAYBE THEY USED IT TO WACK WEEDS ON TRAIN TRACKS ?? -- I'M WACKING WEEDS ON THE RANCH HERE , CUTTING CAT-TAILS OUT OF A LAKE I HAVE , I HAVE TO USE HIP-WADERS ..
  5. Gayland Leddy
    From the operating instructions on the plate and looking at the hydraulics and rail wheels, I think it was used to push/pull rail cars around the rail yard. At Port Hueneme there were a lot of rails all over the base from when it was a major Seabee Depot and Home Port.
  6. Gayland Leddy
    I just looked at the auction and they listed it as a “Rail car mover”

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