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M20 Armored Utility Car

Specifications

Country of Origin/Used by:	USA (Free French/Allied Armies and many others)
First Produced/Service Dates:	1943-1945
Manufactured by:	Ford Motor Company
Crew:	4
Armament:	(1) .50 cal Heavy Machine Gun (on M49 Ring Mount)
Engine:	6 Cylinder Gasoline (Hercules JXD)
Miscellaneous Info:	Development of the M8 Greyhound Armored Car and M20 Armored Utility Car started in 1941 with the US Army’s Tank Destroyer Command requesting a new wheeled Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) be developed. That request was quickly expanded by the US Army into the creation of a vehicle which could also perform other roles.  Those roles included cargo carrier, mortar carrier, multiple gun motor carriage and reconnaissance vehicle. Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Corporation were asked to produce two (2) pilot models for evaluation; one being 4x4 drive and the other 6x6. Studebaker Corporation became involved later. Ford's 6x6 offering was referred to as the T22 GMC and its 4x4 vehicle, the T22E1 GMC. In March 1942, the vehicle designations above were changed to T22 and T22E1 Armored Cars, respectively. The Ford T22 was evaluated first as it was submitted before the Chrysler (T23/T23E1) and Studebaker T21 Armored cars.  The evaluation was so successful, that the US Army concluded that with some minor modifications and upgrades (e.g. the T22E2 prototype), the T22 series should be selected for production (ultimately becoming the M8 and M20).  As a result, the T22E1, T23 and T23E1 programs were terminated, although the pilot models already started could be completed. Also, after a subsequent Army evaluation, the Studebaker T21 program was also terminated. The M20 Utility Car was developed from the T26 prototype as a command car and general utility vehicle based upon the design of the M8 Greyhound Light Armored Car.  Both vehicles used the same chassis and many of the same automotive components.
Data Sheet Available:	None Available

Photos

Reference	Source/Provider
T26 Prototype Armored Utility Car Photo	The David Haugh Collection
M20 Utility Car Vehicle Photos	Mark Aldrich - IPMS/USA Tacoma Green Dragons (Washington)
M20 Utility Car Photo (Korea)	Australian War Memorial
M20 Utility Car Photos	Neil Baumgardner - Arlington, Virginia USA
M20 Utility Car Photo	The David Haugh Collection
M20 Utility Car Photo (Taken at The National  Museum of Military Vehicles - Dubois, WY USA)	Mark Holloway- Bridger, Montana USA
M20 Utility Car Photos - General Motors Proving Ground	Patrick Keenan - Editor
M20 Utility Car Photos - Air Classics Museum	Patrick Keenan
M20 Utility Car Photos - George Patton Museum - Ft. Knox, Kentucky USA	Patrick Keenan
M20 Utility Car Photos (Taken at Military Vehicle Technology Foundation - Portola Valley, CA)	Bill Kish - Millerton, New York USA
M20 Utility Car Photos (Taken at WWII Vehicle Museum - Hubbard, OH)	Sean Lynch - Illinois
M20 Utility Car Photos	Michael Riedeman - Maryland, USA
M20 Utility Car Detail Photos	Matt Riesmeyer - Manchester, Missouri USA
M20 Utility Car Photos (Post War Maintenance Training)	U.S. National Archives
Peruvian M20 Utility Car Photo	Lewis Mejia - Peru

References Available

Online

Printed

Hobby Modeling

Kits and Accessories

Model Photos

Reference	Source/Provider
M20 Utility Vehicle Model Kit (1/32 Monogram)	Ron Bell - Columbus, Ohio USA
M20 Utility Vehicle Photo (Taken at the 1998 AMPS International Convention)	Patrick Keenan - Editor
M20 Utility Vehicle Photo (Taken at 2009 IPMS/USA Butch O'Hare Show & Contest)	Patrick Keenan