September 3, 2024
American Legion Post 853: 1941 Scout Car
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The Journey of Borrego Springs’ WWII Scout Car
The White Motor Car Company built the Scout Car in 1941 for the U.S. Army. A Scout Car was basically utilized by ranking officers for secure transportation in and around enemy territory and for other secure logistical purposes.
This particular Scout Car, USA-W1162547, was used by General Patton's Third Army in the Anza-Borrego desert while training for the invasion of North Africa in 1943. The terrain in our desert is similar to that of the Sahara Desert where Germany's Field Marshal Rommel was in control.
Training completed, the Army left our desert for the invasion, but left most all non-artillery wheeled vehicles here for further training purposes.
The Scout Cars were declared surplus war materials and most were obtained by the farmers in the area to be utilized as tractors on the citrus groves, vineyards and field crop farms in the late '40s and '50s.
With WWII's ending and production of new tractors was begun, the Scout Cars were replaced and most were just abandoned or sold as scrap.
In 1984, this Scout Car, USA-W1162547, was found buried in the sand and was towed to the yard of the Borrego Water Company. Mr. Burnand, owner of the Water Company, and the car, donated it to a group "Borrego Veterans Detachment" with the understanding that it was to be used as a living memorial to the Veterans of Borrego Springs. Now the American Legion Post #853, here in Borrego Springs has ownership of it and maintains it as a memorial. Future plans are for a permanent display on Post #853 ground.
It was a mess; the engine was frozen up; the tires so hard, they had to be burned off the wheels; brakes were rusted to the drums; the engine and transmission were full of sand and just plain missing parts.
Many, many hours of work by many individuals contributed to the rebuilding of the car after obtaining original specifications from The White Motor Company and the U.S. Army. In particular, Richard Trout took over its frame, personally manufacturing new items that were missing and repainted and reassembled everything according to original specifications.
The Scout Car is not a replica—it is the original USA-W1162547, built for and utilized by the U.S. Army and sold as surplus. Its value is unknown—but to those Veterans of the "Greatest Generation" it is invaluable.
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