MESHUGGAH - M3A1 Scout Car

MESHUGGAH is one of WW2 Armor’s first vehicles and has been fully restored.

The M3A1 Scout Car was designed as a lightly armored reconnaissance vehicle and its development dates to 1934 and the M1 Scout Car. Additional refinements throughout the 1930s led to the M3A1, the final version of the series.

Built by the White Motor Company, MESHUGGAH, like all M3A1s out of the factory, is powered by the six-cylinder, inline Hercules JXD engine, which produces about 110 horsepower. That makes for a top speed of about 55mph and plenty of torque.

Weighing in at about 9,000 pounds, the M3A1 has full-time four-wheel drive with a transfer case supporting high and low range and a four-speed manual transmission. Though, first gear is extremely low and rarely used.

During World War II the M3A1 was considered fast and reliable by crews, where it performed well as a reconnaissance and command vehicle. Though, its open top left crews open to airburst artillery and shrapnel, one of the major complaints troops had about the vehicle.

Armament included an M2 .50 caliber machine gun and two M1919 .30 caliber machine guns. It was typically crewed by a driver and vehicle commander with seating for six additional personnel in the rear.

The M3A1 was used throughout the war by the Allies, though many were sold off to other countries soon after the end of hostilities.  

M3 SCOUT CAR at a glance

Production

Built – 1939 - 1944

Manufactured by - White Motor Company

Number Built – 20,890

 Armament

1x M2 .50 caliber machine gun

2x M1919 .30 caliber machine gun

Specifications

Weight - 6.25 tons

Crew – Two (driver, vehicle commander)

Engine – Hercules JXD six-cylinder inline gasoline engine producing 110 horsepower

Speed - 55 mph

Operational Range - 250 miles