The National Military History Center
1941-44 White M3A1 Armored
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$38,000 USD | Sold
| Auburn, Indiana
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Please Note: Information regarding these museum display vehicles was provided by the National Military History Center and has not been independently verified by Auctions America by RM ("AA"). As such, AA does not verify, warrant or guarantee any of this information. Prior inspection and research by the buyer is highly encouraged and recommended.
ATTENTION: Buyers are responsible for securing transportation and moving/loading of lots. Lot may be left on display indefinitely in the museum free of charge with a signed loan agreement form. Lots are sold as is, where is.
Please note this is being sold on "Bill of Sale" only.
Manufacturer: White Motor Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Production Years: 1941-1944
Engine: Hercules JXD, 110-hp, liquid-cooled, in-line six-cylinder
Length: 18-feet, 5-1/2-inches
Width: 6-feet, 8-inches
Height: 6-feet, 6-1/2-inches
Weight: 12,400-pounds
Armor: 1/4-inch all sides, 1/2-inch windshield cover
Armament: NONE on this example - Could be fitted with one Browning M2 .50 caliber and up to two M1917 or M1919A4 .30 caliber machine guns
Crew: Up to 8
Maximum Road Speed: 60-mph
Wheelbase: 131-inches
Markings: US Army, 2nd Armored Division, 67th Armored Regiment, D Company -5th Vehicle
The White Motor Company M3A1 Scout Car was designed as a reconnaissance vehicle for the US mechanized cavalry regiments. The M3A1 was the last in a line of specialized, lightly armored, wheeled vehicles first developed in 1929. Initially, the US Army tested a large variety of designs from various manufacturers to try to determine an appropriate vehicle to equip the new mechanized units being formed by the US Army. The argument continues to this day as to whether the emphasis on developing light, wheeled armored scout vehicles was driven more by budget restraints due to the Great Depression of the 1930s or the tactical doctrine of the era that emphasized speed and mobility in military fighting vehicles over armor protection. The M3A1 Scout Car had all-wheel drive and featured a front bumper roller that assisted in crossing obstacles such as trenches and ditches. Once in service, some M3A1 scout cars were modified into command cars, the most noteworthy being an example used by General George Patton in North Africa. Most of the over 20,000 M3A1 scout cars built were sent to the British Commonwealth, French and Soviet armies through Lend-Lease.