British and European Car Spotters Guide - 1941

The Austin Ten Light Utility, Model G/YG, was a modification of the Ten Saloon. It had two seats in the cab and two folding seats in the canvas-top rear body. Other notable differences when compared with the car were larger bore (66·65 v. 63·5 mm. resulting in 1237-cc capacity), addition of a water pump, lower gear ratios (final drive 6·14 v. 5·38 to 1). 8½ v. 6-gallon fuel tank and cross-country type tyres.

The Ford E83W 10-cwt Van, converted into Utilicon seven-seater by Martin Waiter Ltd. It had the 10 HP 1172-cc engine of the Prefect Saloon and a wheelbase of 7 ft 10 in. The Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force were among the users of the van and the conversion.

Ford WOA1 Staff Car used the body of the pre-war Model 62 Saloon, but with a military pattern front end and 30 HP 85-bhp V8 engine. Tyre size was 9.00-13 or 6.50-16 (Model WOA1/A). During 1939-45 Ford Dagenham built about 360,000 fighting and transport vehicles to a total value of £138 million, and paid £25 million in wages and £12¾ million in taxes.

The Ford WOA2 Heavy Utility variant of the WOA1 was in production during 1941-44 and many remained in civilian use after the war.

The Ford WOA2 Tourer was a soft-top conversion of the Heavy Utility car. Such modifications, used mainly in North Africa, were also carried out on Humbers and Canadian Fords.

Humber produced a large variety of 'soft-skin' and armoured military vehicles, using the same basic engine and other components throughout the range. Pictured left is a Pullman Limousine, a Special lronside Saloon and a rear-engined 4 x 4 Armoured Car, Mark I, all part of the fleet of vehicles used by HM King George VI. The Pullman was one of three with special bullet-proof (austenitic steel) coachwork. In the background is Windsor Castle.

Humber light armoured car, built on the Super Snipe chassis. Early models, produced for Home Defence following the Dunkirk evacuation, were known as Humberette. Illustrated is their follow-up, first produced in July 1940 and officially designated 'Car, 4 x 2, Light Reconnaissance, Humber Mk I, Ironside I. It featured WD pattern divided-rim wheels with 9'25-16 Runflat tyres, and was superseded by the turreted Mk II and the four-wheel drive Mk III and IliA. Altogether some 3600 were built.

Humber Special lronside Saloons were used by the Royal Family and Cabinet Ministers. They were derived from the standard lronside and had a division between front and rear compartment. The left-hand front seat back squab could be folded forward and the Perspex division panel moved to the right to facilitate access to the rear seat. Equipment in the rear compartment included an 8-day clock, a microphone to the driver, a wool rug and a fire extinguisher. Upholstery was hide, with West of England cloth on the sides, below waist level.

Humber F.W.D. chassis was derived from the Super Snipe but as the model designation indicates. featured four-wheel drive. The chassis was used for utility cars. armoured reconnaissance cars and 8-cwt trucks and field ambulances. In addition to the conventional four-speed gearbox. it had a two-speed auxiliary gearbox. providing eight forward and two reverse speeds. Front suspension was independent.

Humber four-wheel drive (4 x 4) Heavy Utility car under test negotiating a deep mud and water course at 30 mph. These cars weighed almost 2½ tons.

Humber Heavy Utility and Light Reconnaissance Car, Mk Ill, in the North African desert. Both used the same four-wheel drive chassis with 9 ft 3 in wheelbase and 9·25-16 tyres.

Humber F.W.D. Heavy Utility after 'demob'. Many remained in military service until long after the war: others found their way to 'Civvy Street'. These smartly turned out examples were used by the BBC (who, during the war, employed a conversion of the ambulance version on this chassis as recording vans for use in battle zones).