The Scout Car, developed and produced by the White Motor Company, began production in 1940. The 4×4, all-wheel-drive vehicle was designed to be a fast and agile reconnaissance vehicle with enough armor plating to protect its occupants from small arms fire. The Scout Car has a unique gliding rail mount, which allowed its armament of up to three machine guns (M1919 .30cal or M2 .50 cal) to have a much greater field of fire.

While the vehicle was primarily outdated by the time America joined the war, its role in combat with the 1st Division in Africa and Sicily was limited to use as a command vehicle. Despite the car’s speed and maneuverability, the light armor and weapons made it an easy target. It was replaced by better-armed and faster vehicles by mid-1944 but continued to see use via lend-lease with other allied armies to the end of the war.

Our M3A1 Scout Car is a late model and was one of the Historic Vehicle Fleet’s first vehicles that our motor pool volunteers had extensively restored in the early 1990s.

Weight: 12,388lbs (6.2 tons)
Engine: White Hercules JXD 6-cylinder Gasoline (95hp output)
Transmission: 4-speed, 1 reverse
Crew: 2 (+6)
Top Speed: 60mph
Fuel: 30gal tank with 250-mile maximum range
Armament: skate track mounted .50cal M2 HMG, 2x fixed corner-mounted .30cal M1919 medium MGs
Armor Plating: 0.2in (sides) to .05in (windshield and engine housing)
Total Produced: 20,918 (1940-44)