M26 and M46 Tanks of the American Auto Industry

M26 Pershing Tanks of the American Auto Industry
Built by Chrysler and Fisher Body

This page updated 8-12-2019.

This page contains photos World War Two M26 Pershings that were built by both Chrysler and Fisher Body. Of the 75 Pershings still left in the world, only 31 have been identified by manufacturer. Of the 45 in the United States, 20 have been identified.

Included on this page are photos of the M46 Patton. Many original M26 Pershings were converted to M46 Pattons. After World War Two, the engines and transmissions were replaced in many of the M26s to provide enhanced performance. Of the 21 M46 Pattons still in existence, only five have been identified as to whether Chrysler or Fisher Body built the original M26.

This page will exhibit photos of the known M26/M46s built by both Chrysler and Fisher Body, and those that cannot be identified.

Surviving Fisher Body and Chrysler built M26 Pershing tanks with known Serial Numbers Fisher Body Serial Numbers: 11-1739 Chrysler Serial Numbers: 1761-2233 Pershings highlighted in dark gray indicates photos at bottom of page.
Serial Number	Tank Arsenal	Type	Registration Number	Location	Location	Comments
35	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	T26E3	30119845	Wolfeboro, NH, USA	Wright Museum-Inside
86	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30119896	Camp Shelby, MS, USA	Mississippi Armed Forces Museum -Outside
94	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	T26E3	30119904	Graffenwohr, Baviaria, Germany	Armed Forces Facility Outside
221	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	T26E3	30120031	Fort Benning, GA, USA	The National Armor and Cavalry Museum - Outside
367	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26A1	30127113	Brasschaat, Antwerpen, Belgium	Gunfire Museum Outside
370	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30127116	Anniston, Alabama, USA	U.S Army Center for Military History Storage Facility - Stored outside
374	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30127120	Fort Stewart, GA, USA	3-7 Cavalry HQ Outside
394	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26A1	30127140	Graffenwohr, Baviaria, Germany	Armed Forces Facility - Wreck -Outside
456	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30127202	Noord-Brabant, The Netherlands	BAIV B.V.	Undergoing restoration
567	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30127313	Pineville, LA	Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum, Camp Beauregard
710	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30128476	Fort Benning, GA, USA	The National Armor and Cavalry Museum - Stored
734	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30127480	Fort Polk, LA	Fort Polk Museum - Outside
801	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26A1	30127183	American Heritage Museum	Hudson, MA
858	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30127604	Stammheim, Germany	Museum Stammheim, Germany	Undergoing restoration
893	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30127639	Fort Irwin, California, USA	Motor Pool by Main Gate - Outside
922	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26A1	30127668	New Bedford, MA, USA	Franco-American Square - Outside
1097	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30127843	Kaiserslautern, Reinland-Phalz	KaiserslauternArmy Depot Outside
1232	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30127978	Fort Bliss, TX, USA	1st Armored Division Museum - Outside
1394	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26A1	30128140	Fort Benning, GA, USA	The National Armor and Cavalry Museum - Stored
1397	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	T26E4	30128143	Wheaton, IL USA	1st Division Museum - Outside	This is a Fisher Body chassis with a special turret added by Wellman Engineering.
1517	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30128263	Fort Jackson, SC, USA	Basic Training Museum - Outside
1602	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30129348	Anniston, Alabama, USA	U.S Army Center for Military History Storage Facility - Stored outside
1668	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M26	30129414	Sinsheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany	Auto+Technik Museum Outside
1761	Chrysler Warren, MI	M26	30128307	Fort Benning, GA, USA	The National Armor and Cavalry Museum - Stored	This is the first Chrysler M26.
1766	Chrysler Warren, MI	M26	30128312	Austin, TX, USA	Texas Forces Museum, Camp Mayby - Outside
1773	Chrysler Warren, MI	M26	30128319	Fort Benning, GA, USA	The National Armor and Cavalry Museum - Stored
1872	Chrysler Warren, MI	M26A1	30128418	Sinsheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany	Auto+Technik Museum Outside
1947	Chrysler Warren, MI	M26A1	30128493	Fort Benning, GA, USA	The National Armor and Cavalry Museum - Stored
1983	Chrysler Warren, MI	M26	30128529	Fort Hood, TX, USA	First Division Parade Field - Outside
2018	Chrysler Warren, MI	M26	30128564	Stanford, KY	Veteran's Park- Main Entrance
2206	Chrysler Warren, MI	M26	30128752	Mobile, Alabama, USA	USS Alabama -Outside	This was previously erroneously identified as SN 152. In Sept 2017 positive ID of 2206 was made by Matthew McCluney, Curator Technician, USS Alabama Museum

Surviving Chrysler built T25E2/M45 Pershings with 105mm Howitzers with known Serial Numbers The Warren Tank Arsenal built 185 Pershing chassis' with 105mm Howitzers Chrysler M26 Serial Numbers: 3984-4168
M45 Serial Number	Tank Arsenal	Type	Registration Number	Location	Location
	Chrysler			None are known to exist

Surviving M46 Patton tanks converted from Fisher Body and Chrysler built M26 Pershings with known Serial Numbers The M46 Pattons were given new serial numbers. The new numbers appear to be stamped on the front tow lugs. The serial numbers have been identified to date as: 2-1352 Fisher Body M26 Serial Numbers: 11-1760 Chrysler Serial Numbers: 1761-2233, 3984-4168 M46 Patton tanks highlighted in dark gray indicates photos at bottom of page.
M26 Serial Number	Tank Arsenal	Type	M26 Registration Number	Location	Location
248	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M46	30120058	American Legion Post 888, Northlake, IL	Outside
368	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M46	30127114	National Armor and Cavalry Museum	Outside but covered.
594	Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI	M46	30127340	Army Heritage Center Carlisle, PA, USA	Outside

The table below provides production information on the T26EXX series of heavy tanks produced during WWII. This information has been painstakingly researched and gathered by Joe DeMarco in his quest to quantify what was actually built by Fisher Body and Chrysler. We thank Joe for allowing this website to use this information.

Definitions:
T26E1: Prototype version of what became the T26E3/M26. The M3 90mm main gun has no muzzle brake. All ten T26E1s under went extensive testing.
T26E2/M45: Assault version with a 105mm howitzer.
T26E3/M26: The definitive version of the series. M3 90mm main gun with muzzle brake.
T26E5: Assault version with heavier armor retaining the M3 90 main gun.

T26E4: This version was known as the "Super Pershing" because it was equipped with a high velocity T15E2 90mm cannon that used two part ammunition. Twenty-five Fisher Body T26E3/M26s were built with no turrets. They were then sent to Wellman Engineering, where they were equipped with special turrets that mounted the T15E2 90mm main gun. The 25 chassis provided to Wellman are included in the Fisher Body numbers below.

T26E1, T26E2, T26E3/M26, T26E5 Production Information Courtesy of Joe DeMarco This section added 10-24-2017.
Manufacturer	Model	Date	Monthly Production	Serial numbers	USA Registration Numbers	Purchase Order
Fisher Body	T26E1	2-1944	1	1	30103292	T-8244
		3-1944	3	2-4	30103293 – 30103295
		4-1944	4	5-8	30103296 – 30103299
		5-1944	2	9-10	30103300 - 30103301
Total	T26E1		10

Fisher Body	T26E3	11-1944	10	11 – 20	30119821 – 30119830	T-8244
		12-1944	30	21 – 50	30119831 – 30119860
		1-1945	70	51 – 120	30119861 – 30119930
		2-1945	132	121 – 252	30119931 – 30120062
		3-1945	8	253 – 260	30120063 – 30120070	T-8244 and T-14674/1
		3-1945	172	261 – 432	30127007 – 30127178
		4-1945	225	433 – 657	30127179 – 30127403
		5-1945	243	658 – 900	30127404 – 30127646
		6-1945	300	901 – 1200	30127647 – 30127946
		7-1945	175	1201 – 1375	30127947 – 30128121
		8-1945	125	1376 – 1500	30128122 – 30128246
		9-1945	60	1501 – 1560	30128247 – 30128306
		9-1945	46	1561 – 1605	30129307 – 30129351	T-14674/1 and T-14674/2
		10-1945	134	1606 – 1739	30129352 – 30129485
Total	T26E3/M26		1,729

Chrysler	T26E3/M26	3-1945	14	1761 – 1774	30128307 – 30128320	T-14673
		4-1945	44	1775 – 1818	30128321 – 30128364
		5-1945	118	1819 – 1936	30128365 – 30128482
		6-1945	70	1937 – 2006	30128483 – 30128552
		7-1945	102	2007 – 2108	30128553 – 30128654
		8-1945	125	2109 – 2233	30128655 – 30128779
Total	T26E3/M26		473
Grand Total	T26E3/M26		2,202

Chrysler	T26E2/M45	7-1945	1	3984	30131576	T-15461
		8-1945	36	3985 – 4020	30131577 – 30131612
		9-1945	148	4021 – 4168	30131613 – 30131760
Total	T26E2/M45		185

Chrysler	T26E5	6-1945	5	10007 – 10011	30150824 – 30150828	T-2070
		7-1945	22	10012 – 10033	30150829 – 30150850
Total	T26E5		27

M26 Pershing Photos

Type: T26E3
Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM, Grand Blanc, MI Tank Arsenal
Serial Number: 35
US Registration Number: 30119845
Date Built: December 1944
Location: Wright Museum of WWII, Wolfeboro, NH
Date of Photo: 8-14-2017
Photos added to webpage 8-19-2017

This was one of the twenty Fisher Body Grand Blanc, MI-built T26E3s that were shipped on an emergency basis to Europe before the tank had been fully tested by the US Army. Much of the testing was done by the tankers that operated them in Europe. These twenty tanks were what was known as the "Zebra Mission." Serial numbers 27, 28, 35 and 39 participated in the taking of the Remagen Bridge Germany on March 7, 1945.

Serial number 35 is a rare running version of the Pershing. With a three-sided balcony above it at the museum, I could take some overhead photos that are not normally possible. Visiting the museum was the last stop on a seven day, 2,656 mile journey to several museums in the northeast US. The Pershing tank was one of the main reasons for the trip.

I highly recommend visiting the museum, not only to see this Pershing, but to see all of the other first class exclusive displays the museum has pertaining to World War Two.

Author's Photo.

Photo courtesy of Mike Culver, Executive Director, Wright WWII Museum.

Author's Photo.

In the background the, US flag covers a garage door used to drive the vehicles in and out of the museum. Other photos by other persons and the museum itself will show the Pershing on the opposite side of the museum in front of the door, or sometimes not at all if the Pershing has been driven out to attend an event. Author's Photo.

Author's Photo.

The gearshift for the Detroit Transmission Torqmatic transmission is in the reverse position after it was backed into the museum through the door covered by the flag noted in the earlier photo. Author's Photo.

This is the assistant driver's seat. Author's Photo.

Because this is a running tank, the museum tied a tarp underneath the Ford V-8 engine to keep oil off of the floor. It appears a significant amount has leaked out. This is to be expected of the tanks with the aircraft radial engines in them, as they to leak oil. It would seem unusual for a V-8. Maybe the engine needs to have some seals replaced. Author's Photo.

Type: M26
Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM, Grand Blanc, MI Tank Arsenal
Serial Number: 86
US Registration Number: 30119896
Date Built: January 1945
Location: Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, MS
Date of Photo: 3-14-2018
Photos added: 3-24-2018

Type: T26E3
Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM, Grand Blanc, MI Tank Arsenal
Serial Number: 221
US Registration Number: 30119941
Date Built: February 1945
Location: From the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection, Fort Benning, GA
Date of Photo: 9-18-2018
Photo added: 10-4-2018

This photo shows the Fisher Body T26E3 next to the Chrysler built T23. Note the differences in size.

Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM, Grand Blanc, MI Tank Arsenal
Serial Number: 567
US Registration Number: 30127313
Date Built: April 1945
Location: Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum, Camp Beauregard, Pineville, LA
Date of Photo: 3-15-2018
Photos added: 3-24-2018

Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM, Grand Blanc, MI Tank Arsenal
Serial Number: 734
US Registration Number: 30127480
Date Built: May 1945
Location: Fort Polk Museum, Fort Polk, LA
Date of Photo: 3-15-2018
Photos added: 3-24-2018

Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM, Grand Blanc, MI Tank Arsenal
Serial Number: 801
US Registration Number: 30127183
Date Built: May 1945
Location: American Heritage Museum, Hudson, MA
Date of Photo: 6-14-2019

Manufacturer: Fisher Body
Serial Number: 858
US Registration Number: 30127604
Date Built: May 1945
Location: Museum Stammheim, Germany
Date of Photo: February 2019. Photos provided courtesy of Severin Weißenseel of the Museum Stammheim, Germany.

Manufacturer: Fisher Body
Serial Number: 922
US Registration Number: 30127668
Date Built: June 1945
Location: Franco-American Square, New Bedford, MA
Date of Photo: 6-10-2019

Manufacturer: Fisher Body
Serial Number: 1394
US Registration Number: 30128140
Date Built: July 1945
Location: U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection, Fort Benning, GA
Date of Photo: 9-21-2018

Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM (Chassis only)
Serial Number: 1397
US Registration Number: 30128143
Date Built: July 1945
Location: First Division Museum, Wheaton, IL
Date of Photo: 9-27-2015
Fisher Body Grand Blanc provided twenty-five T26E5/M26 chassis only to Wellman Engineering, which then mounted a high velocity T15E2 90mm cannon in a special turret. This T26E4s "Super Pershing" is on display at the First Division Museum at Cantigny. It is the only example still in existence. Author's photo added 9-30-2015. The T26E4 retained its designation, as it was not put into production.

The feature that gave the T26E4 its name "Super Pershing" is that it was equipped with a high velocity T15E2 90mm cannon that used two part ammunition. Note the large counterweight welded to the rear of the turret to balance the long gun barrel.

This photo shows the long barrel of the T15E2 90mm cannon, which was five and a half feet longer than the normal M3 90mm cannon on the T26E3/M26. An M46 Patton tank can be seen in the background. This was the next version of the M26, with a more powerful 830 hp engine. It is one of the many fine tanks on display outside at in the First Division Museum's tank park.

This shows another view of the large counterweight on the rear of the turret.

Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM
Serial Number: 1517
US Registration Number: 30128263
Date Built: August 1945
Location: Basic Combat Training Museum, Fort Jackson, SC
Date of Photo: 4-4-2014
The M4A3 Sherman tank next to it is also a Grand Blanc built tank.

Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM
Serial Number: 1639
US Registration Number: 31029385
Date Built: October 1945
Location: Formerly at the Ropkey Armor Museum, Crawfordsville, IN
Date of Photo: 9-21-2013
This Pershing was sold in 2016, and is now part of the Collings Foundation collection in Stowe, MA. The Ropkey Armor Museum closed for good on 7-31-2017.

Manufacturer: Chrysler Corporation
Serial Number: 1773
US Registration Number: 0128319
Date Built: March 1945
Location: Patton Park, Fort Benning - From the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection, Fort Benning, GA
Date of Photo: 9-18-2018
Photo added: 10-4-2018

Manufacturer: Chrysler Corporation
Serial Number: 1947
US Registration Number: 30128493
Date Built: August 1945
Location: From the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection, Fort Benning, GA
Date of Photo: 9-19-2018
Photo added: 10-4-2018

Manufacturer: Chrysler Corporation
Serial Number: 2018
US Registration Number: 30128564
Date Built: July 1945
Location: Veteran's Park, Stanford, KY
Date of Photo: 3-22-2017
Photo added: 5-2-2017

Manufacturer: Chrysler Corporation
Serial Number: 2206
US Registration Number: 30128752
Date Built: August 1945
Location: USS Alabama, Mobile, AL
Date of Photo: 3-17-2018
Photo added: 3-24-2018

Author's photo added 3-20-2018.

Both rear tow lugs have the serial number 2206 stamped on them. Author's photo added 3-20-2018.

Author's photo added 3-20-2018.

Manufacturer: Unknown
Serial Number: Unknown
US Registration Number: Unknown
Date Built: Unknown
Location: Museum of the USMC, Triangle, VA
Date of Photo: 9-24-2016

M46 Patton Photos

Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM - Grand Blanc, MI plant
M26 Serial Number: 248
M46 Serial Number: 879?
Original US Registration Number: 30120058
Date Built: 2-1945
Location: American Legion Post 888, Northlake, IL
Date of Photo: 12-2-2016
Photos added: 12-6-2017

This photo of the right front tow lug has been modified to try and tease out the third number of the M46 serial number. This appears to be M46 SN 879.

Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM - Grand Blanc, MI plant
M26 Serial Number: 368
M46 Serial Number: 1370
M26 US Registration Number: 30127114
Date Built: March 1945
Location: From the collection of The National Armor and Cavalry Museum, Fort Benning, GA
Date of Photo: 9-19-2018
Photos added 10-4-2018

Manufacturer: Fisher Body Division of GM - Grand Blanc, MI plant
M26 Serial Number: 594
M26 US Registration Number: 30127340
Date Built: April 1945
Location: US Army Heritage Center, Carlisle, PA
Date of Photo: 6-1-2017
Photos added 8-18-2017

M46 Serial Number: Unknown

Manufacturer: Unknown
M26 Serial Number: Unknown
M46 Serial Number: 160
US Registration Number: Unknown
Date Built: Unknown
Location: Pennsylvania National Guard Display, Fort Indiantown Gap, PA
Date of Photo: 6-1-2017
Photos added 8-18-2017

Manufacturer: Unknown
Serial Number: Unknown
US Registration Number: Unknown
Date Built: Unknown
Location: First Division Museum, Wheaton, IL
Date of Photos: 12-2-2017
Photos added: 12-6-2017

Manufacturer: Unknown
Serial Number: Unknown
US Registration Number: Unknown
Date Built: Unknown
Location: U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum, Huntsville, AL
Date of Photo: 3-13-2018
Date Photos added: 3-24-2018

Manufacturer: Unknown
Serial Number: Unknown
US Registration Number: Unknown
Date Built: Unknown
Location: American Legion Post 623, Beech Creek, PA
Date of Photo: 5-29-2018
Date Photos added: 7-13-2018