King Armored Car^1-6

This vehicle was adopted from a King Motor Car Company touring car with an armored body designed by Captain W. A. Ross. Its fenders were reinforced planks that could also be used to cross ditches. Initially, the rear of the car stepped down from the cab, and a door was provided in the vertical portion of the step. The car was fitted with pneumatic tires and wire-spoke wheels (dual wheels on the rear). A later version known as the King-Eight or King Model E featured a sloping rear face with a folding door and was eventually fitted with wooden spoke wheels with solid tires. Engine output was increased to 79 horsepower, resulting in a maximum speed of 65mph (100kph). The US Marines acquired eight vehicles, and fitted at least some with an automatic 1 pounder gun or Lewis machine gun.

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References

1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Armored Car: A History of American Wheeled Combat Vehicles. Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 2002. Reprinted from Armored Car, R.P. Hunnicutt ©2002, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Novato, CA 94945.
2. Haugh, David R. "King Armored Car Index." WarWheels.net. Ed. Patrick Keenan. 20 April 2008. Accessed 9 December 2023 <https://warwheels.net/KingArmoredCarINDEX.html>. WarWheels.net
3. AGF Board No. 2. Development of Armored Vehicles, volume II: Armored Cars, Scout Cars, and Personnel Carriers.
4. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Wheeled Vehicles. Minneapolis: Victory Publishing, Ltd., 2001.
5. Estes, Kenneth W. Marines Under Armor. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2000.
6. Tank Data, vol. 2. Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: US Army Ordnance School, July 1958.
7. Crumley, Beth. "What the Heck IS That Thing????" Marine Corps Association & Foundation. 7 June 2011. 8 October 2016 <https://www.mca-marines.org/mcaf-blog/2011/06/07/what-heck-thing>.

Last updated 9 Mar 2022.
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