From the moment the Sherman M4A3 (105) HVSS rumbled onto the battlefield in early 1945, its powerful Ford GAA V8 engine, refined HVSS suspension, and devastating 105mm howitzer earned it a place among the finest Shermans ever built. Crafted by Chrysler in the final year of the war, it was engineered to support infantry under the harshest conditions. An icon of late-war American armor.
The story of this particular vehicle begins in the final days of World War II, when it rolled off the production line of Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant (DATP) being part of the Chrysler Corporation from Warren, Michigan on April 5th, 1945. After serving in Europe, it crossed the Atlantic back to the United States, where it trained soldiers destined for Korea.
In the early 1950s, it was transformed into an M74 Armored Recovery Vehicle and soon after shipped to Greece under the U.S. Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP). A pivotal Cold War initiative designed to strengthen allied nations against the rising Soviet threat.
After its military life ended, the vehicle slipped into obscurity. It stood forgotten for decades in a desolate Greek storage yard until fate intervened. When BAIV uncovered the machine, they made an astonishing discovery: its original Ford GAA V8 was still intact, untouched by time, and miraculously preserved inside the ARV-converted hull. That moment sparked an extraordinary restoration adventure.
What followed was an odyssey of engineering, reconstruction, and sheer determination. The team embarked on the complete reverse-conversion of the M74, meticulously re-engineering, measuring, and recreating every casting, component, and assembly required to return it to its 1945 combat configuration.
A long-lost D78461 / C142 105mm turret, once saved from a French firing range, surfaced in the Netherlands and provided the ideal foundation. Yet the soul of the restoration; the elusive M52 gun mount, remained out of reach.
Until, unexpectedly, the Kazematten Museum revealed that a surviving mount had been hiding for decades inside a Cold War exhibit.
Through a remarkable exchange, BAIV acquired not only the measurements but the original part itself, making it possible to rebuild the turret exactly as Chrysler delivered it in 1945.
Piece by piece, the former recovery vehicle transformed back into a true Sherman M4A3 (105). Over 5,500 hours of focused craftsmanship turned rust, fragments, and history into a pristine Class A restoration. The tank reemerged as it once thundered through Germany; powerful, imposing, and unmistakably authentic.
Today, this Sherman stands as a tribute! Not only to its wartime crew and the men of Task Force 20, but also to the passion of its new owner, Frits van Eerd, whose dedication to preserving World War II heritage brought this tank’s story full circle.
From the chaos of 1945, through decades of silence, to a triumphant rebirth in Nederweert in 2024, the journey of this M4A3 (105) HVSS is nothing less than an armored legend; rescued, restored, and ready to inspire generations to come.
Since its restoration, the vehicle has taken part in numerous commemorative events, celebrating 80 years of liberation and honoring the legacy of those who fought. It joined BAIV’s D-Day Experience in Normandy, France, participated in the Liberation of the Scheldt commemorations, and stood proudly as one of the signature tanks during the Eyewitness 2024 event at the Overloon Museum. In the spring of 2025, it once again took the lead; this time as one of the key vehicles during the remembrance of Operation Cannonshot.
Sherman M4A3 (105) HVSS
Sherman M4A3 (105) HVSS
This Sherman M4A3 (105) HVSS stands as a remarkable survivor of World War II engineering; powerful, iconic, and reborn through an extraordinary restoration. From forgotten relic to fully revived legend, it now embodies both history and craftsmanship in an impressive and authentic reconstruction.
Wartime Use / Deployment
Served in Europe during the final 1945 offensives before returning to the U.S. for training duty.
Condition When Discovered
Found in Greece as an M74 ARV, still containing its untouched original Ford GAA V8 engine.
Start of the Restoration
The restoration has begun with the dismantling of all modifications that were previously carried out to convert the vehicle into an ARV.
Condition After Restoration
Fully restored to pristine Class A condition as a complete M4A3 (105) HVSS.
Highlights
The restoration was exceptional due to the discovery of the original Ford GAA V8 engine, the complete reverse-conversion from an M74 ARV to its 1945 configuration, and the recovery of rare components such as the correct 105mm turret and elusive M52 gun mount.
Highlight 1
Discovery of the original Ford GAA V8 engine still preserved inside the M74-converted hull.
Highlight 2
Recovery of a correct D78461 / C142 105mm turret once saved from a French firing range.
Highlight 3
Acquisition of the rare M52 gun mount through a unique exchange with the Kazematten Museum.
Restoration Photobook
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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