An American armoured car from WW1... or is it?

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Armoured cars are faster, cheaper, and easier to service than tanks. Beyond that, we admit to having limited knowledge of WW1 armoured vehicles—but we do know an interesting photograph when we see one. And this seemed just that.

The image comes from the New York Public Library. The number plate visible (note the '15', which must refer to the year it was registered) appears American too. But is the vehicle itself American? That’s harder to say.

A bit of research reveals that “a great variety of armoured cars appeared on both sides during World War I.” The Belgians developed Minervas fitted with armour plating and a Hotchkiss machine gun, creating their version as early as 1914. Not long after, the UK followed with ‘fighting cars’ built on Rolls-Royce, Leyland, Talbot, Lanchester, and Wolseley chassis. France had specially adapted Panhards, Peugeots, Renaults, and Hotchkisses. Italy contributed Fiat- and Lancia-based designs, while the USA had its own Kings and Whites. Canada even deployed over 20 squadrons with its own vehicles to France—though what those were based on, we don't quite know.

Are there specific features that make this one stand out? Aside from a glimpse of the chassis and suspension—and perhaps the shape of the bonnet—it’s likely that most of what we see here is custom-reinforced, and not exactly the same as the original base model. Maybe the badges on the back, or the soldiers’ uniforms and hats, could offer a clue..?

Words: Jeroen Booij
Picture: The New York Public Library

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