M-20 Armored Utility Car

The open-top Car, Armored, Utility 6x6 M20 has the same chassis as the M8 Armored Car, but the M8 turret and 37mm main gun are not installed on the M20. The M20 was intended as a command and reconnaissance vehicle and so was equipped for the installation of radio equipment. The crew consisted of a driver and assistant driver plus the vehicle could carry an additional four soldiers.

A .50 cal. machine gun was provided on a ring mount. Additional machine guns could be mounted and the M20 carried ammunition for the machine guns as well as for crew weapons. Like the M8 Armored Car, the early M20s had mine racks between the wheels but these were later replaced with storage compartments.

A restored M-20 Armored Utility Car is used for the 101st Forward Support Battalion change of command ceremony, Cavalry Parade Field, Ft. Riley, KS, 17 May 2007. The officers are Col. Jeffrey Ingram, 1st Brigade commander and Lt. Col. Christopher McCurry, outgoing commander of the 101st FSB
A restored M-20 Armored Utility Car is used for the 101st Forward Support Battalion change of command ceremony, Cavalry Parade Field, Ft. Riley, KS, 17 May 2007. The officers are Col. Jeffrey Ingram, 1st Brigade commander and Lt. Col. Christopher McCurry, outgoing commander of the 101st FSB.

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8 Jul 1944 US forces on Saipan mop up after surviving a 15-hour banzai charge, one of the largest ever, defesting over 3000 Japanese soldiers plus wounded and civilians who participated.
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M20 Armored 6x6 Utility Car (G-176)

The M20 Armored 6x6 Utility Car was produced in Ford's plant in St. Paul, MN from July 1943 to June 1945, where a total of 3,791 were manufactured. The M20 was used during World War II and early in the Korean War.

Crew 2 plus 4 passengers
Curb weight 12,250 lbs.
Height 91 inches
Width 8 ft, 4 in.
Length 16 ft, 5 in.
Engine Hercules JXD 6 cyl, gasoline
Horsepower 86
Transmission 4 fwd speeds, 1 rev
Transfer case 2 speed
Road Speed 56 mph.
Range 250 mi.
Fording depth 2 ft, 8 in.

Manuals for the M20 Armored 6x6 Utility Car (and in common with the G-136 M8) include:

  • TM 9-743 Operation and Maintenance. Light Armored Car M8 (10 March 1943)
  • TM 9-1743 Power Train, Suspension, Hull, and Turret Rebuild and Overhaul (October 1943)
  • TM 9-1832A Hercules Engines, Series JX Models A, C, D, E-3, F
  • Preliminary Service Parts Catalog for Car, Armored, Light, M8 (June 1943)
  • ORD 7 SNL G-176 Organizational Maintenance Parts List (January 1952)
  • ORD 8 SNL G-136 Field / Depot Maintenance Allowances (Parts) for M8 (G-136) & M20 (G-176) (March 1952)
  • ORD 9 SNL G-136 Parts listing

M20 Armored Car. Photo: Courtesy Frank Robertson
M20 Armored Car. Photo: Courtesy Frank Robertson.

M20 Armored Car. Photo: Courtesy Frank Robertson
M20 Armored Car. Photo: Courtesy Frank Robertson.

M20 Armored Car. Photo: Courtesy George Brazão from Livro de Fotos Militares (Exercito Brasileiro)
M20 Armored Car. Photo: Courtesy George Brazão from Livro de Fotos Militares (Exercito Brasileiro).