The restoration of this 1944 M7B1 Priest marks one of BAIV’s most meaningful achievements; an effort combining historical respect, technical mastery, and a profound sense of remembrance.
Built in February 1945 by the Pressed Steel Car Company in Chicago, Hull No. 4606 likely saw combat in the closing months of WWII as U.S. forces advanced deep into Germany. After the war, it was stored in a U.S. depot in France and later converted to M7B2 configuration by the French ABS workshops. In the 1960s, it entered service with the German Bundeswehr as a “Fahrschule” (driving school) vehicle. Unlike many surviving examples, it was never scrapped or used as a firing-range target, preserving an exceptional foundation for restoration.
Rediscovered by Ivo Rigter Sr. and Jr. in May 2018 on the property of German collector Achim Wagner, the Priest was remarkably complete despite decades of outdoor storage. It took years to obtain the required permits and export approvals. Only in late 2021 did the Priest finally arrive at BAIV’s workshop in Nederweert, ready for a new life.
Restoration began in late 2022 with an ambitious deadline: completion before the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in 2024. Over 3,850 labor hours, BAIV’s skilled team rebuilt the Priest from the ground up. The legendary Ford GAA V8 engine was fully restored, the interior reconstructed to exact 1945 standards, and every component cleaned, repaired, or manufactured anew.
The vehicle was finished in the markings of the 78th Armored Field Artillery Battalion of the 2nd Armored Division “Hell on Wheels” one of the most battle-tested units of the war.
In doing so, BAIV honored the crews who fought across Normandy, the Ardennes, and into Germany.
In the summer of 2024, the Priest thundered back to life and completed its first major journey during the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. Later it participated flawlessly in the ten-day XXX Corps 80th Anniversary of Operation Market Garden, covering over 100 miles with 270 historical vehicles. Additional appearances at Overloon, the Battle of the Scheldt commemorations, and the Liberation of West Brabant further reinforced its status as a true operational memorial.
The vehicle’s journey reached its final destination in March 2025, when it was acquired by Museu do Caramulo in Portugal through a government cultural-heritage initiative. Now preserved among other historic treasures, the Priest continues its mission; not as a weapon of war but as a living monument of peace, memory, and engineering excellence.
The restoration of the M7B1 Priest embodies everything BAIV stands for: authenticity, craftsmanship, passion, and respect for the past. It is a testament to how skilled hands and dedicated hearts can resurrect forgotten steel into a moving legacy that connects generations.
M7B1 Priest 105 mm SPH
M7B1 Priest 105 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer
This 1944 M7B1 Priest, rediscovered in Germany and restored by BAIV, represents a fully revived WWII combat vehicle brought back to its original 1945 specification. More than a restoration, it is a tribute to craftsmanship, history, and the legacy of Allied artillery units.
Wartime Use / Deployment
Saw extensive use across North Africa, Italy, Normandy, and the final Allied advance into Germany.
Condition When Discovered
Found complete but deteriorated; stored for decades, never a range target, well-preserved for restoration.
The Restoration has Taken Off
Although the vehicle was found to be in largely complete condition, a full Class A restoration was chosen to return it to the highest possible standard.
Condition After Restoration
Fully operational, Class-A restored 1945-standard Priest with authentic interior, rebuilt driveline, and historically accurate exterior markings.
Highlights
Restored over 3,850 hours, the project included a full rebuild of the Ford GAA V8 engine, complete interior reconstruction, historically accurate 2nd Armored Division markings, and meticulous conversion back from post-war French and German modifications to authentic late-WWII configuration.
Highlight 1
Complete rebuild of the original Ford GAA engine to factory-correct wartime condition.
Highlight 2
Reversal of French M7B2 modifications, restoring accurate 1945 U.S. Army configuration.
Highlight 3
Exterior finished in authentic markings of the 78th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, “Hell on Wheels.”
Restoration Book
For every restoration project, a comprehensive restoration book is created, documenting the entire process from start to finish in hundreds of detailed photographs. These books offer a unique behind-the-scenes insight into the craftsmanship, precision, and expertise behind each BAIV restoration. Interested parties are welcome to download these books to gain a deeper understanding of our working methods, technical capabilities, and the level of quality we strive for in every project.
Thank you for interest in our restoration book. Enjoy exploring the restoration process.
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