At WOB Cars, we’ve had the privilege of representing an incredibly diverse array of vehicles over the years. Our inventory regularly ranges from ultra-rare classics and high-end exotics to truly unusual and unique finds – I mean you name it, trains, boats, tanks, nitro-powered lawn-mowers. What could possibly be next, a submarine?! 😉
Among some of the most fascinating we’ve represented are the military vehicles. Rugged in charm, robust in engineering, and rich in historical significance, military vehicles represent innovation of a different kind of performance. These vehicles made it possible to traverse harsh terrain, endure extreme conditions, and complete crucial objectives.
Let’s take a look at some of our favorite military vehicles we’ve helped find new homes for over the years.
1959 Tatra OT-810
What better place to start than that time we took the Tatra to Starbucks? Bring a Trailer member, Napolison, captured the scene perfectly, “Honey, I’m going to Starbucks for a soy latte. Do you want anything? I hope the Tatra fits in the drive-through this time. I hate dealing with those lines in the store.”
It’s very hard to find these OT-810s and they make a fantastic addition to any collection. This one also included some usually impossible to find items: the track tool, the OT periscope, and it crates of additional spare parts. These rarely make it to market – especially in the US!
“3 pedals and a gated shifter? Sporty,” commented PWSchuh in the auction while SpicyDorito45 said, “V8, rear wheel drive, 3 pedals, gated shifter. I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is basically a Ferrari 308.”
The Tatra is an armored personnel carrier that was originally used by the Czechoslovakian military. Fewer than 2,000 examples of the OT-810 were produced from 1958 to 1963, and they were decommissioned in the 1990s.
“Well, my wife did say she wants the kids to drive something safe!” said Quaranta in the auction.
1944 M5A1 Stuart
This is a VERY special tank – and a very good investment. At the time armor prices were going up like crazy, and still are. A SECO Stuart like this is a great way to have an easy-to-care for tank. Parts for the engines are available, 12v system, not complicated to drive, they are small (ish) so they fit on a normal rig trailer and can be towed by medium duty trucks.
Mr. H tuned in on the auction suggesting, “I need to tell my friend-he can’t control his impulse to immediately buy any old military vehicle like this he comes across. Turret’s Syndrome, they say.”
This M5A1 Stuart is a special piece of history and part of a period where the thought would be that light tanks would be the new normal. This tank was reportedly shipped to Europe late in the Second World War and later sold to Portugal where it was retained in their light tank inventory.
Bring a Trailer member MrBonus shared, “I’m planning on winning this auction and driving it back to the east cost. Not on roads mind you, directly in a straight line, right through everything that gets in my way, tanking my way into America’s heart.
Power is provided by a pair of 220 horsepower Cadillac V8s mounted side-by-side at the rear of the hull.
Frank Garcia added into the auction, “The parking space said ‘compact car,’ so I did.”
1943 White M2 Half-Track
This 1943 M2 half-track was built by the White Motor Company under contract to the US Army during World War II. It includes folding window armor, a machine gun turret, a non-functioning prop machine gun, a front winch, folding rear ladders, and troop seating for eight.
Bring a Trailer user 3Pedalonly added, “Manual transmission, push-button start, three-spoke steering wheel, inline-six… wow, just like a 2024 M2, only better looking!”
This being a 1943 dated truck is a great date to own. Ramp up going into war and in all likelihood was used in true and continued wartime efforts. This being an M2 is particularly cool because they were used most often by Anti-Tank Battalions.
They are loud, fun, and utterly collectible. I used to have access to loads of half tracks and had to turn them down – now they are so hard to get with everyone hoarding them.
1944 NSU Kettenkrad Sd.Kfz. 2
This Sonderkraftfahrzeug 2 (Sd.Kfz. 2) was built by NSU in 1944 and is one of approximately 8,400 examples built for the German military between 1939 and 1944.
Also known as the Kettenkrad, or “tracked motorcycle,” the Sd.Kfz. 2 served as a gun tractor, troop carrier, and an aircraft tug for the German military during World War II.
Whether you’re a tank or military vehicle enthusiast or new to appreciating these beautiful beasts – there’s something undeniably alluring about these military vehicles.
If you’ve been looking to add an authentic piece of mobile military history to your collection – or have a vintage military vehicle you’re looking to pass along to a new owner, the team at WOB Cars would be happy to assist.
