Military Vehicle Club Profile: The Military Transport Association (MTA)

In 1972, Deniss Spence, Harold Ratzburg, and about 12 others founded the Military Transport Association in Parsippany New Jersey. Originally, the club was known as the North Jersey Chapter (NJC) of the National Military Vehicle Collectors Association (NMVCA). The NMVCA was headquartered in South California before it became defunct around 1975.

Visit the MTA at their web site

The NJC team worked with a few other mostly East Coast military vehicle clubs to form and incorporate in New Jersey the Military Vehicle Collectors Club (better known as the “MVCC”) in 1976.

After some years, the MVCC became the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) in 1990. The NJC team which helped form the MVPA, charged its name to the Military Transport Association (MTA) that same year.

The MTA is dedicated to the education and preservation of historic to present-day military vehicles. Members enjoy restoring, trail rides, displaying, and operating military vehicles of all types, from bicycles to tanks. The MTA celebrates and interprets the contributions and technological advancements that military vehicles have brought to ensure America's peace and shaped the modern world.

But trucks and Jeeps aren’t all we do! Join today and participate with us at our annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots toy drive. The team partners with local railroads to operate an actual locomotive that roams the rails of North Jersey collecting toys for the Marine Corp Toys for Tots campaign. You can also join us at our annual Military Show and Swap Meet at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta NJ. We run several special events to raise funds for donations for multiple Veteran's causes.

During the course of a year, MTA members participate in several town parades with their vehicles on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day and more. The organization financially supports veterans organizations that support those who have bravely served, fought, and made sacrifices for our country.

At the MTA’s October 2021 19th Annual Military Vehicle and Swap Meet Show, the Best of Show Award went to one of the MTA’s original founding members, Pete Shaw. His April 1941 Bantam BRC-40 was fresh off a 5-year restoration!

The monthly meetings the first Thursday each month at the American Legion in Whippany, New Jersey, present another opportunity for members to enjoy camaraderie, share information, and learn maintenance tips and fixes for military vehicles.

For more information:

The Military Transport Association, Inc. (MTA) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit membership organization for people interested in collecting, restoring, and operating historic military vehicles.For membership information, contact:

Membership Chairman, Dave Steinert email: dsteirnert@mtaofnj.org

or write:

Military Transport Association
P.O. Box 391
Budd Lake, NJ 07828:

Follow the club on Facebook or visit the club’s web site