FWD Model B Information

The FWD Model B was an American built four-wheel drive truck produced by the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company that saw widespread service with American and British forces during the First World War.

The FWD Model B was a cab over engine truck powered by a straight-four Wisconsin petrol engine that produced 36 bhp (27 kW) at 1,800 rpm. The drive was transmitted via a three-speed constant-mesh gearbox to a two-speed chain-driven transfer case and centre differential with a shaft drive to each axle. The vehicle could be driven in front or rear modes for on-road travel or four wheel drive for off-road movement, additionally it could also be used to provide power take-off through the rear of the transmission.

Originally the Model B was provided with solid tyres on spoked or disk wheels, many were converted to pneumatic tyres in the 1930s.

The Four Wheel Drive Auto Company of Clintonville, Wisconsin launched the Model B in 1912, although initially production was very slow with only 18 were produced in 1913. America was the first nation to show interest in the vehicle, with the US Army testing one of the earliest production vehicles.

The British Army was the first military customer, ordering the Model B in late 1914 the first vehicles was delivered in 1915. An American export agency was set up with a reception base in Liverpool and a repair depot in Islington to check and service incoming vehicles before handing them over to the Ministry of Munitions. A total of 2,925 Model Bs were purchased by the British Army, 1,599 of these were used in France on the Western Front, predominantly for heavy haulage of artillery, ammunition, and pontoon bridge supplies.

The US Army first ordered the Model B in 1916, ordering 38 vehicles for the Pancho Villa Expedition into Mexico under the command of General John Pershing. Upon entry into the First World War in 1917, America placed orders for 30,000 Model Bs, 12,498 had been delivered by the time of the Armistice, of which 9,420 went to France with the American Expeditionary Forces. Demand for the Model B was too great for the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company, so the Peerless Motor Company, Kissel Motor Car Company, Premier Motor Corporation and Mitchell Motor Car Company were also engaged to build Model Bs.

After the war the US government sold or distributed the majority of their Model Bs to local governments and municipalities, British machines were returned to the UK from where some were shipped throughout British Empire.

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