zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
Ford Once Built Its Own M8 To Try And Beat The Germans
Ford Once Built Its Own M8 To Try And Beat The Germans-July 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:27

Image for article titled Ford Once Built Its Own M8 To Try And Beat The Germans

We’re all familiar with the BMW M8. It’s ,, and it . What most people won’t know, however, is the story behind the Mustang maker’s own M8 — a vehicle never sold to the general public, but built to embarrass the competition from Munich. Despite never hitting dealers, Ford’s M8 tested its performance mettle around the world. Germany, Italy, even Japan heard the wail of its inline-six engine.

They also heard its guns, because the Ford M8 was a tank.

Image for article titled Ford Once Built Its Own M8 To Try And Beat The Germans

“Tank” may be overstating it, since the M8 was more technically a reconnaissance vehicle, but with that armor and those tires I’m gonna count it. Not to mention, that gun sitting in its turret atop the vehicle.

The gun was a particular sticking point , when the U.S. Army set out the proposal that led to the M8. It called for a lightly-armored all-terrain vehicle with enough speed to reach the front, see what’s going on, and report back before the main tanks ever saw combat. It also laid out that this vehicle needed a big gun: A single 37mm cannon.

Image for article titled Ford Once Built Its Own M8 To Try And Beat The Germans

Eighty years after that initial proposal, these vehicles are still around: On display, , and now . The one up for sale is a 1943 model, donated to West Germany after the war and used in their equivalent of the National Guard, according to the seller. They also claim that M8s can be legally registered to drive on the roads in California — as long as you never need to exceed 55 mph.

Unlike most Bring a Trailer listings in recent memory, this M8 is listed as a “non-running project” — you’ll actually have to bring a trailer. The seller isn’t sure when its 320-cubic-inch, 110-horsepower inline six last ran, so be prepared to put some work in before adding this one to your active armory.

I think whoever buys this should turn it into . It may not be as fast or as comfortable as, but it’ll certainly be the most unique on Instagram. And after all, isn’t that what overlanding is really all about?

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
Which One Of You Suckers Is Going To Pay Over $32,000 For A 25-Year-Old Toyota 4Runner
The (and Tacoma) have a death grip on used values. It’s been this way for years. Go ahead, go try and buy any TRD trim that’s a couple of years old; it’ll cost you as much as a new one — not that you could buy a new one...
Jul 2, 2025
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
At $8,600, Would You Go Topless In This 1994 Cadillac Eldorado?
The seller of today’s Caddy claims they should be selling it at auction but says who’s got time for that? Let’s see if we have the time for this custom convertible at its non-auction price. Many of you agreed that the $950 asked for yesterday’s was “chump change.” Even...
Jul 2, 2025
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
At $18,500, Would You Lean Toward Buying This 2022 Ford Mustang?
Today’s Mustang is being sold by a towing yard, which means it’s probably a lien sale. Let’s see if this clean title convertible is priced to put a new buyer on the hook. The general consensus on last Friday’s was that it would be the perfect car for someone...
Jul 2, 2025
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Someone Willingly Paid $16,000 For A Maserati Ghibli On Cars & Bids. Don’t Make The Same Mistake
Let’s cut right to the chase: buying a is not a good idea unless you have deep enough pockets for the upkeep. For those not in the know, they’re sirens. They draw you in with their premium Italian image and sweet songs of and then go in for the...
Jul 2, 2025
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
At $950, Would You Go All-In On This 1984 Plymouth Colt GTS Turbo Project?
One of the calling cards of today’s Plymouth Colt is its “Twin Stick” overdrive gear change, which gives the car eight speeds going forward and two in reverse. Let’s see if this project car has anything else to offer. Just as Goldilocks discovered when appropriating Papa Bear’s lifestyle and...
Jul 2, 2025
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
At $5,900, Is This 1984 Nissan 720 4X4 A Solid Deal?
According to its seller, today’s Nissan 4X4 shows “pride of ownership.” Let’s see if it would take swallowing one’s pride to pay its asking price. Opinions were split on how well the design of yesterday’s has held up over the years. Some of you commented that the design still...
Jul 2, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved