Inventory of military cars of various countries in World War II, and the Mercedes-Benz series are all works of art

During World War II, in addition to equipping officers with jeeps for transportation, in non-combat zones-such as rear-area military headquarters, command posts, and various military departments-some senior officials, especially field-grade and general officers, were also provided with military passenger cars for daily travel.

So this article will focus on various types of military passenger cars used by the armed forces of countries around the world during World War II.

I.The United States

By World War II, the United States had already become a global automotive powerhouse with a highly developed automobile industry. Its military was also equipped with a wide variety of military passenger cars at that time, among which five models were common-all developed specifically for military use.

The first is the Ford Model 2GA military passenger car. Produced between 1941 and 1942, over 8,000 units were manufactured for the U.S. military.

As a purpose-built military vehicle, it featured matte olive drab paint, a high-power V8 engine, and a three-speed manual transmission, with a top road speed of 90 kilometers per hour.

The Ford 2GA was also one of the most widely equipped military passenger cars of the U.S. during World War II. It was mainly used at military headquarters to serve senior officers for daily travel and work.

The second is the Buick Special military passenger car. Also produced during the same period, it ceased production in February 1942, with an output second only to the aforementioned Ford Model 2GA.

Primarily used by the U.S. Army Air Forces and assigned to senior officers, it was also painted olive drab, with a white five-pointed star on each of the two rear doors.

The third is the Plymouth Model P10 military passenger car. First produced around 1940, it had an output of approximately 2,000 units during World War II.

Primarily assigned to the U.S. Navy headquarters, this model featured a glossy black metallic paint finish. The doors were also marked with the U.S. Navy's emblems and letters.

Equipped with a 6-cylinder gasoline engine and a three-speed manual transmission, the P10 had a top road speed exceeding 90 kilometers per hour. It also adopted an independent suspension system for the front two wheels.

The fourth is the Plymouth Model P11 military passenger car. It belongs to the same series as the aforementioned P10, but the P11 was launched the following year-first produced around 1941.

Primarily assigned to the U.S. Army Military Police Corps during World War II, it also featured the Army's matte olive drab paint. The doors were marked with a white five-pointed star and the letters "Military Police," indicating its affiliation with the military police.

Its configuration is basically the same as that of the P10, and their overall appearance is also very similar-the only difference is that the front face and grille of the P11 have been revised.

The fifth is the Packard Clipper military passenger car. Introduced in 1943, it was also known as the Packard "Clipper" full-size sedan-equivalent to today's D-segment full-size luxury sedans like the Audi A8 and BMW 7 Series.

The Packard Clipper was truly luxurious. Not only did it offer a comfortable interior, but it was also equipped with a 165-horsepower V8 engine, boasting a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour-comparable to racing cars of the same era.

However, the Clipper had a low production volume at that time, with only 487 units manufactured. Most were assigned to U.S. Army general officers, while a small number went to U.S. Navy headquarters. General Douglas MacArthur also owned one such sedan during the war.

II. The United Kingdom

While the United Kingdom's automobile industry was not as advanced as that of the United States during World War II, it was still capable of producing a variety of military vehicles. In addition to combat vehicles, it also manufactured several types of military passenger cars for the military, with three common models.

The first is the Austin 8HP military passenger car, also known as the "8HP Staff Car" in the British Army. First commissioned in the mid-1930s, it was assigned to British military headquarters for use.

Featuring an open-top cabin with an optional soft top, the Austin 8HP was a compact vehicle that could seat only two people including the driver. Equipped with a small-displacement 4-cylinder engine, it had limited space and power, but still met the daily travel needs of senior British military officials.

The second is the Hillman "Hawk" series military passenger car. Also commissioned in the mid-1930s, it was available in two versions: a hardtop and a soft-top. Powered by a 75-horsepower inline 6-cylinder gasoline engine, it had a top road speed of approximately 90 kilometers per hour.

During World War II, in addition to being assigned to British military headquarters, some units were also equipped by the British patrol forces stationed in the Middle East-earning it the alternative name "Hawk Patrol Car."

III. The Humber "Snipe" series full-size sedan. A luxury car of its time in the United Kingdom, it was primarily assigned to senior British military officials. Additionally, some bulletproof versions served as official vehicles for the British royal family.

The Humber "Snipe" series consisted of two generations: the first generation was introduced in 1936, and the second in 1939. While their overall appearance was largely identical, they differed in engine configuration-the first generation was powered by a 79-horsepower engine, and the second by an 85-horsepower one.

With ample interior space, the sedan could accommodate 7 to 8 passengers. Military versions were painted in black-green camouflage, though this finish significantly diminished the vehicle's high-end aesthetic.

III. Germany

As a major automotive power during World War II, Germany's automobile industry was on par with that of the United States. Its military was equipped with a large number of domestically produced vehicles, including more passenger cars than the U.S. military. While most of these cars were not custom-built for military use, their elegant appearance perfectly matched the temperament of German officers. Six models were commonly used by the German military at that time.

The first is the Mercedes-Benz 170V sedan. Produced between 1936 and 1940, it was mainly assigned to mid and junior-level German officers for daily travel during that period.

To save materials, the later-produced Mercedes-Benz 170V sedans were modified with soft tops made of only a single layer of canvas-much cruder than the early models.

The second is the Opel Olympia sedan. First produced in 1936, it was mainly assigned to German officers above the rank of captain for use. Additionally, some black-painted units were deployed at command posts to serve officers' daily travel needs.

Powered by a 55-horsepower gasoline engine, the Opel Olympia had a top road speed of approximately 100 kilometers per hour-providing ample power for its intended use.

The third is the Mercedes-Benz 540K convertible. Regarded as one of the world's top-tier sports cars of its era, it was powered by a 200-horsepower V8 engine, with a top road speed exceeding 130 kilometers per hour.

However, the Mercedes-Benz 540K was not a military vehicle before World War II-instead, it was a civilian luxury car. After the outbreak of the war, some units were requisitioned by the German military and assigned to officers above the rank of colonel for use.

It must be acknowledged that the Mercedes-Benz 540K boasted an exceptionally elegant appearance. Even today, it remains a work of art in the automotive world.

The fourth is the Horch 830BL full-size sedan. On par with the Mercedes-Benz 540K in terms of luxury, it featured a high-horsepower engine and exceptional comfort.

Initially not designed specifically for military use, the vehicle was not adopted by the German military until the outbreak of World War II. Some units were requisitioned from civilian owners, while others were purpose-built for the military in later stages.

During World War II, the Horch 830BL full-size sedan was primarily assigned to general officers of the German Army or the Waffen-SS. A small number were also used by civilian officials at military headquarters.

The fifth is the Mercedes-Benz 770K luxury sedan. Introduced in the 1930s, it was also known by the internal code W150 and available in convertible and bulletproof versions. Initially serving as the "Führer's official car," it was used for appearances at speeches and military parades.

In the 1940s, a small number of Mercedes-Benz 770K sedans also became official vehicles for senior generals of the German Waffen-SS. In short, any German military personnel who got to ride in this car was undoubtedly extraordinary.

Similarly, the Mercedes-Benz 770K remains a work of art on wheels today and a highly valuable vintage car.

The sixth is the Mercedes-Benz G4. Featuring a unique six-wheel design with the rear four wheels arranged like those of a truck, it was classified as a luxury sedan in Germany at that time despite its off-road-like appearance.
Produced between 1934 and 1939, the G4 served as an official vehicle for Waffen-SS generals and the "Führer" during World War II. Reserved exclusively for high-ranking officials, it symbolized noble status and power in Nazi Germany.
Equipped with a robust 5.4-liter, 80-kilowatt 8-cylinder engine and a 6x4 drive system, the Mercedes-Benz G4 had a top speed of only 64 kilometers per hour. Nevertheless, its elegant yet imposing design made it highly striking in its era.

IV. Italy

While Italy's automobile industry was not particularly strong during World War II, it still had the capability to produce cars independently. At that time, there were two common types of military passenger cars manufactured locally.

The first is the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500CM sedan. Produced between 1939 and 1944, it was powered by a 95-horsepower 6-cylinder engine, with a top road speed of 127 kilometers per hour.

During World War II, this sedan was mainly allocated to Italian military headquarters for senior officers' daily travel. Most units featured soft tops and were primarily finished in gray.

The second is the Fiat 2800CMC. Also put into production in the late 1930s, it was a civilian sedan before World War II. After the outbreak of the war, a military version was developed-its key modifications included an open-top design and revised tires.

During that era, the Fiat 2800CMC was also allocated to Italian military headquarters or command posts, serving general officers and senior civilian officials.

V. Japan

While Japan's automobile industry could not compare with that of Western countries during World War II, it was undoubtedly the strongest in Asia. It had a well-established domestic automotive industry, and after the war broke out, civilian sedans were requisitioned and assigned to military headquarters for senior officers' daily use. Four models were the most common military passenger cars at that time, all of which were domestically produced by Japan.

The first is the Nissan Model 70 sedan. Initially developed for civilian use and overseas export as a family car, it later had a military version produced for the Japanese military after the outbreak of the war. A key change for the military variant was the switch from an enclosed cabin to an open-top design, with the option to fit a canvas soft top as needed.

During World War II, some Nissan Model 70 sedans were assigned to senior officials of the Kwantung Army. After the war, the Nissan Teana B-segment sedan was developed based on the Model 70.

The second is the Toyota AE sedan. Originally a civilian vehicle, it was converted for military use after the outbreak of the war and assigned to the Japanese Army headquarters.

Powered by a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine with a maximum output of 48 horsepower, the Toyota AE had modest power but still met the daily travel needs of field officers and generals.

The third is the Toyota AA sedan. Produced between 1936 and 1937, it had an output of approximately 4,013 units. During World War II, some were used by domestic military headquarters, while others were assigned to senior officials of the Japanese army invading China.

Regarded as a relatively high-end sedan in Japan at that time, the Toyota AA was powered by a 3.4-liter 6-cylinder engine with a maximum output of 62 horsepower-delivering stronger performance than most other military passenger cars of its era.

The fourth is the Nissan Datsun 16 compact sedan. Introduced in 1937, it was designed with fuel efficiency and practicality in mind, hence equipped with a 722cc engine that delivered only 16 horsepower.

Originally a purely civilian vehicle, it was adopted by the military after the outbreak of the war. With an output of approximately 8,353 units during World War II, this compact sedan was also used by field officers and generals of the Japanese army invading China at that time.

VI. France

During World War II, the French military also produced military passenger cars, with two common models.

The first is the Citroën Traction Avant sedan. Essentially a military variant modified from a civilian model, it featured minimal exterior changes-only revised tires and suspension, with some units painted in camouflage.

During World War II, the Citroën Traction Avant was assigned to mid and senior-level French military officers. After France was occupied by Germany, many undamaged units continued to be used by senior German officials and were well-received by their users.

The second is the Peugeot 402 sedan. Classified as a compact sedan in France at that time, it was originally a civilian vehicle before being adopted by the military after the outbreak of World War II, serving as an official car for officers at military headquarters and command posts.

During World War II, the Peugeot 402 used by the French military was available in gray and camouflage versions. Among them, the camouflage variant was also seized by the German army.

VII. The Soviet Union

The Soviet Union's light vehicle industry was not well-developed during World War II. Most sedans used by Soviet officers were imported, though there were two domestically produced models at that time.

The first is the GAZ M1 sedan. Developed by the Soviet Union's Gorky Automobile Plant based on the American Ford V8-40, it was produced in a substantial quantity of 63,000 units between 1936 and 1941.

During World War II, the GAZ M1 was mainly assigned to Soviet military officers above the rank of field grade, with some serving as official vehicles for military headquarters.

The second is the ZIS-101 sedan. As the Soviet Union's first domestically produced luxury sedan, it was designed based on the American Buick 32-90 and put into production in 1941.

However, the ZIS-101 had a very limited production volume and was exclusively assigned to Soviet military generals. A small number also served as official vehicles for military headquarters.

The above are the military passenger cars of various countries during World War II. Personally, I think the American ones were the most well-rounded, while the German ones were the most elegant. What do you, the readers, think?