Cars of World War II: 15 cars that changed the course of history

The Second World War (1939–1945) was not only the largest armed conflict in history, but also the catalyst for technological breakthroughs in the automotive industry. During the six years of war, the industry of the leading powers produced more than 10 million units of equipment - from light reconnaissance motorcycles to heavy armored vehicles. Cars of those years solved strategic problems: they transported troops, pulled artillery, served as mobile command posts and even took part in sabotage operations.

The peculiarity of military vehicles of that period is mass character and unification. For example, American Willys MB (prototype of the future Jeep) was assembled on an assembly line at record speed: one car per 1 hour 55 minutes. Soviet GAZ-63 could overcome a ford up to a meter deep, and the German Kübelsitzwagen became a symbol of the blitzkrieg due to its cross-country ability. But not all cars were successful: some models, like the British Humber FWD, turned out to be too difficult to operate and were quickly discontinued.

In this article we will look at 15 most significant cars of World War II - from serial workhorses to unique prototypes - and also tell you how military technologies influenced the post-war auto industry. You will find out which models are still being restored by collectors, where you can see them in Russian museums, and why some of them became the basis for modern SUVs.

1. Legendary SUVs: from Willys MB up to GAZ-64

The class of SUVs was formed precisely during the war. The army needed vehicles that could overcome off-road conditions, transport cargo and quickly evacuate the wounded. American Willys MB (1941–1945) became a standard: its design with 4×4 drive, compact dimensions (3.34 × 1.57 m) and the weight of everything 1.1 tons made it possible to transport it even on gliders. Total released 640 thousand copies - more than any other US military vehicle.

Soviet response - GAZ-64 (1941) - created in record time 2 months, copying some solutions from captured BMW 325 and Ford GPV. The car received an engine from GAZ-M1 (50 hp) and a simplified frame, which made it possible to start production amid the evacuation of factories. However, due to a weak gearbox GAZ-64 quickly replaced with GAZ-67 - with a reinforced bridge and improved cross-country ability.

• 🚙 Willys MB (USA): the first production jeep, a prototype of modern SUVs. Speed - 105 km/h, clearance - 220 mm.
• 🛠️ GAZ-67 (USSR): "Russian jeep" with a wooden body. Released 92.8 thousand pieces, used until the 1950s.
• 💥 Volkswagen Kübelwagen (Germany): "bucket" with air cooling. Produced 50.5 thousand units, but was inferior to its American counterparts in cross-country ability.

2. Trucks are the “workhorses” of the front

Without the trucks, the war would have been lost in months. For example, Soviet ZIS-5 (1933–1948) became the most popular vehicle of the Red Army: it was produced even in besieged Leningrad from parts delivered by The road of life. Load capacity - 3 tons, but off-road the actual load did not exceed 1.5 tons. American GMC CCKW (1941–1945), known as "Jimmy", transported 75% of all Allied cargo in Europe thanks to all-wheel drive and a 6-cylinder engine with 91 hp.

The Germans relied on unification: chassis Opel Blitz (1937–1944) was used for trucks, self-propelled guns and even anti-aircraft guns. Its main drawback is lack of all-wheel drive, which limited cross-country ability on the muddy roads of the Eastern Front. Interesting fact: after the war Opel Blitz released in the USSR under the brand name ZIS-150 — with a modified cabin and reinforced suspension.

Model	Load capacity (t)	Engine	Features
ZIS-5 (USSR)	3	73 hp, gasoline	Produced using wood and coal due to a shortage of gasoline
GMC CCKW (USA)	2,5	91 hp, gasoline	All-wheel drive, 560 thousand units produced
Opel Blitz (Germany)	3	75 hp, gasoline/gas generator	Self-propelled artillery base Maultier
Bedford QL (Britain)	3	85 hp, gasoline	Used to transport missiles V-2 after the war

⚠️ Attention: Many military trucks had gas generating units (for example, ZIS-21 or Opel Blitz with a wooden gas generator). Such cars required stopping every 20–30 km for cleaning filters and could light up when a bullet hits the gas generator. It is extremely dangerous to operate them today!

3. Armored vehicles: mobile fortresses on wheels

Armored vehicles combined the speed of a passenger car and the firepower of a tank. Soviet BA-64 (1942–1946) became the first production armored car with 4×4 drive. His armor is thick 15 mm protected from rifle bullets Mauser, and the machine gun DT allowed to fire at low-flying aircraft. Total released 9.1 thousand cars, some of which were handed over to the police for patrol after the war.

German Sd.Kfz. 222 (1937–1943) equipped with a 20 mm automatic cannon KwK 30 and two machine guns. His weak point is open top, which left the crew vulnerable to shrapnel and grenades. British Humber Armoured Car (1941–1945) had an unusual feature: its body was assembled on rivets, rather than welding, which simplified repairs in the field.

Why did armored cars give way to tanks?

By 1943, it became clear that armored cars were inferior to tanks in firepower and protection. For example, BA-64 could penetrate armor Pz.Kpfw. I only from a distance 100 m, while the tanks fought on 1–2 km. In addition, the wheelbase limited maneuverability on washed-out roads. After the war, armored vehicles were retrained as reconnaissance and police vehicles.

• 🛡️ BA-64 (USSR): the first mass-produced armored car with all-wheel drive. Speed - 80 km/h, crew - 2 people.
• 🔥 Sd.Kfz. 222 (Germany): "anti-aircraft armored car" with a cannon KwK 30. Released 989 pieces.
• 🔧 Marmon-Herrington (South Africa/USA): armored car based Ford, used in North Africa.

4. All-wheel drive monsters: Scammell Pioneer and others

To transport heavy equipment (tanks, howitzers) special tractors were required. British Scammell Pioneer (1937–1945) could tow loads weighing up to 25 tons thanks to 6-cylinder diesel Gardner power 102 hp. Its unique feature is switchable front axle, which allowed to save fuel on the highway. Total released 2.5 thousand machines, some of which were sold to the USSR for logging after the war.

Soviet YAG-6 (1940–1941) became the first domestic tractor with 6×6 drive, but its production was discontinued due to the complexity of the design. They used captured ones instead Sd.Kfz. 7 - German half-track tractors capable of pulling 8-ton cannon FlaK 88 at speed 50 km/h. Their weak point is rubber and steel tracks, which quickly wore out on Russian roads.

Search winch front or back|Check availability fasteners for guns|Pay attention to reinforced bridges|Compare ground clearance (military > 300 mm)

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5. Rare and experimental models

In the arms race, engineers created not only serial, but also unique prototypes. For example, German Schwimmwagen (1942–1944) - the world's first serial floating car. Its galvanized steel body and propeller with rudder made it possible to reach speeds of up to 10 km/h. Total released 14.2 thousand cars, but due to the high cost (4 thousand Reichsmarks) they were used only in reconnaissance units.

Soviet NATI-V (1941) - a hybrid of a motorcycle and a car with 3 wheels and engine from M-72. The car could carry 500 kg cargo or 3 soldiers, but due to low cornering stability the project was closed. American T15 (1943) experimented with gas turbine engine, but its fuel consumption (120 l/100 km) made serial production impossible.

⚠️ Attention: Many experimental models of World War II contained asbestos gaskets (for example, in Schwimmwagen) and lead solders in fuel systems. When restoring such machines, be sure to use respiratory protection and dispose of hazardous materials according to regulations!

6. Civilian cars in war: from Citroën Traction Avant up to Ford V8

Not only military equipment took part in the battles. French Citroën Traction Avant (1934–1957) became the favorite car of partisans and agents Resistance thanks to front-wheel drive and independent suspension, which made it possible to reach speeds of up to 130 km/h on bad roads. The Germans confiscated these cars for their officers, and after the liberation of France Traction Avant used as staff vehicles.

American Ford V8 (1932–1934) modified 1934 became the basis for the Soviet "emok" - armored vehicles BA-20. Its V-twin engine produces 90 hp allowed to accelerate to 115 km/h, but the main advantage is ease of repair: the motor could be removed for 2 hours without special tools. In Germany, civilians Mercedes-Benz 170V converted into ambulances, removing the rear stretcher seat.

7. How military technology changed the auto industry after 1945

Many innovations that appeared during the war migrated to civilian cars:

• 🔄 All-wheel drive (4×4): Technologies from Willys MB and GMC CCKW formed the basis of the post-war Land Rover (1948) and Toyota Land Cruiser (1951).
• 🔋 Diesel engines: Experience in using diesel engines in Opel Blitz and Scammell Pioneer convinced manufacturers of their reliability. Already in 1949 Mercedes-Benz released the first civilian diesel sedan 170D.
• 🛡️ Security: Design of armored vehicles BA-64 inspired an engineer Bela Bareni for development deformation zones, which was later used in Mercedes-Benz W111 (1959).
• 🔧 Unification of parts: The principle of interchangeability, worked out on ZIS-5 and GMC CCKW, allowed to reduce the cost of repairing civilian vehicles by 30–40%.

Interesting fact: Soviet GAZ-69 (1953), based on Willys MB, became the first domestic car to be exported to 56 countries, including the USA. Its design with permanent all-wheel drive and transfer case with reduction gear is still considered the benchmark for SUVs.

8. Where can you see WWII cars today?

Most military vehicles have been preserved in museums or private collections. In Russia the largest exhibitions are located:

• 🏛️ Museum of Technology of Vadim Zadorozhny (Moscow): BA-64, ZIS-5, Opel Blitz in restored condition.
• 🚗 Museum of Military Equipment "Military Glory of the Urals" (Verkhnyaya Pyshma): unique GAZ-64 with a wooden body and Scammell Pioneer.
• 🌍 Museum of the Great Patriotic War (Moscow): armored car BA-10 and sanitary Ford V8.

Abroad worth visiting:

• 🇺🇸 The National WWII Museum (New Orleans, USA): interactive exhibition with Willys MB and GMC CCKW.
• 🇬🇧 Imperial War Museum (London, UK): Humber Armoured Car and Bedford QL.
• 🇩🇪 Deutsches Technikmuseum (Berlin, Germany): Kübelsitzwagen and Sd.Kfz. 222.

Prices for military vehicles at auctions range from $10–20 thousand for GAZ-67 in poor condition until $200–300 thousand for rare Schwimmwagen or Scammell Pioneer in perfect restoration. Before purchasing please check:

Availability original engine (many were replaced with modern ones)|Condition frames and side members (corrosion is the main problem)|Documents about demilitarization (required for legal ownership)|Availability spare parts (for some models they are produced only to order)

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🔍 How to distinguish the original Willys MB from a replica?

Original Willys MB (1941–1945) have:

• Serial number on frame starting with MB or GPW (for models Ford).
• Riveted (not welded) fenders and hood.
• Original engine Go Devil with a number corresponding to the year of manufacture.
• Marking U.S. Army or U.S. Marine Corps on the body.

Replicas are often collected from post-war CJ-2A or CJ-3B, which have different distances between the suspension mounts and a different shape of the windshield.

⚙️ Is it possible to put a modern engine in a military vehicle?

Yes, but with reservations:

• For GAZ-67 or ZIS-5 diesel engines are often used Toyota or Isuzu, but the fastenings require modification.
• B Willys MB install motors from Jeep Wrangler, but the gearbox needs to be upgraded.
• For armored vehicles (for example, BA-64) engine replacement may require approval from traffic police like refurbishment.

Important: when replacing the engine, it is lost historical value car, which reduces its value for collectors.

💰 How much does it cost to restore a military vehicle?

The cost depends on the model and condition:

• GAZ-67 in a "live" state: $5–15 thousand (body restoration + engine).
• Willys MB average preservation: $20–50 thousand (including searching for original parts).
• Opel Blitz (complete restoration): $80–120 thousand (due to the rarity of spare parts).

Advice: look for donors in Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic) - unrestored cars are still found in barns there.

📜 Do you need special rights to operate military equipment?

In Russia:

• For GAZ-67 or Willys MB enough category rights B (if weight < 3.5 t).
• For ZIS-5 or GMC CCKW (weight > 3.5 t) category required C.
• Armored vehicles (BA-64) require category D (like buses) due to the number of seats.

In the US and EU, military vehicles are often registered as historic vehicles, which exempts from technical inspection, but limits use.

🔧 Where to buy spare parts for military vehicles?

Main sources:

• Russia: Avito, Drom (section "Spare parts for retro cars"), shops LAWN NEXT (for GAZ-67).
• USA/Europe: eBay (search by WW2 jeep parts), Kaiser Willys (specializes in Willys MB).
• 3D printing: For rare parts (for example, levers Sd.Kfz. 222) use the services Shapeways or iMaterialise.

Tip: Join restoration clubs (e.g. Military Vehicle Preservation Association) - they often sell spare parts at symbolic prices.