Humber Super Snipe Tourer No. M239485 was used by FM Montgomery during 1944/45 in Western Europe and became known as the 'Victory Car'. It is shown here during an inspection tour by Lord Montgomery, in August 1951, in the Castlemartin Army Training Area, Pembrokeshire.
Humber Pullman Limousines were used by high-ranking officers in the Army, RAF and RN. The bodywork was by Thrupp & Maberly and featured a glass partition behind the front seat and a roof luggage rail. Some had a wire mesh type radiator grille, The picture shows the production department at Thrupp & Maberly Ltd at Acton, in 1944.
Morris 10 HP Light Utility was basically similar to those produced by Austin and Hillman, but based on the Morris Ten Saloon. Series M of 1939/40. Technical differences compared with the car included a Solex carburettor (instead of SU), repositioning of the water pump (in front of the cylinder head instead of on the cylinder block), lower gear ratios. etc. It is shown here in an advertisement which appeared shortly after D-Day.
Nuffield Mechanizations Ltd, one of the divisions of The Nuffield Organization, were deeply involved in army mechanization projects during the 1930s and 1940s. About 1944 the company produced this experimental lightweight two-seater for airborne use. The major mechanical components were of Willys ('Jeep') manufacture; everything else was redesigned for compactness and reduced weight. The steering column was easily removable, and the top and windscreen could be folded down.
Nuffield field car which did eventually reach the production stage, although in different form. It was what became known as 'Gutty' (later 'Mudlark' and eventually, when in quantity production, the Austin-built 'Champ'). Work on this project commenced during the war under the direction of Mr (later Sir) Alec Issigonis. The car featured a stressed-skin welded steel body, four-wheel drive and torsion bar independent suspension.
SS Cars' second prototype, designated VB, was of more conventional design than the Model VA. It was powered by a Ford Ten engine, driving through a Ford three-speed gearbox plus a two-speed 'booster gear'. Both the VA and VB had independent suspension and rear wheel drive only. The rear suspension of the VB was of the same basic configuration as that of the much later Jaguar E-Type.
SS VB Ultra Lightweight vehicle, side elevation. The top was of the folding type and the steering-wheel easily removable for ease of air transport. The VB, like the VA, remained in the experimental stage.
Standard also produced some Ultra Lightweight vehicles, in 1944, for possible military use. They were powered by a modified Standard Eight engine with magneto ignition. There were motorcycle-type saddles and pillions for the driver and three passengers. Vehicle shown, the first had rear-wheel drive only.
Standard JAB (Jungle Airborne Buggy), a development of the earlier 4 x 2 type, was more sophisticated and had four-wheel drive through a single-speed transfer case which was bolted to the Standard Eight type aluminium alloy engine/gearbox unit. The vehicles were intended for airborne operations in the jungles of the Far East but did not see active service.
Standard JAB Mk II had several modifications, including redesigned wings. Only about six of these vehicles were built. The front axle drive casing was cast as an integral unit with the engine sump. The tyres were 7.50-10, a special aero tyre, modified to have cross-country tread. Also seen here is an amphibious trailer into which the front end of the vehicle was to be placed, for ferrying across rivers. During the first test in a water tank, the outfit sank straight to the bottom. Afterwards, four empty Jerry cans were fixed to the rear corners of the trailer for extra buoyancy.