The United States initially had limited interest in the concept of armored cars, and the Ordnance Department only began to experiment with them in the late 1920s. Seeing the potential for armored cars to undertake long-range reconnaissance and mobile supporting fire, the Cavalry pushed for further development. Prototype T4 entered production as the M1 in 1932 and was utilized in maneuvers, but progress was slow until 1941 when the U.S. Army undertook the first studies into equipping units with wheeled vehicles armed with anti-tank guns. The T22 light armored car prototype would eventually be adopted as the M8, after exacting examinations and modifications. The T22 would then be further developed into the M20 Armored Utility car. While the M8 and M20 utilized the same base, they were deployed in entirely different roles.

The M8 employed speed and agility to undertake reconnaissance in combat situations, its armor and weapons providing protection for the crew; the M20 could undertake transport, logistics support, or command roles. Both would see service from late 1943 until the end of the war. Drawing on memos of the vehicle trials and modifications, this book details the development, production, and use of the M8 and M20 armored cars. With descriptions of early, mid- and late production models and over 200 photographs, it is a valuable reference for any military modeler or vehicle enthusiast. Casemate Illustrated Specials offer unparalleled detail into the weapons, equipment, and machinery of war. Detailed, focused text is accompanied by hundreds of photographs, illustrations, and diagrams, providing a wealth of visual information for the historian, modeler, or researcher.