World War 2 era Polish Army vehicles at Chicago Parade many military cars

A military armored (also spelled armoured) car is a wheeled armoured fighting vehicle, historically employed for reconnaissance, internal security, armed escort, and other subordinate battlefield tasks.

With the gradual decline of mounted cavalry, armored cars were developed for carrying out duties formerly assigned to light cavalry. Following the invention of the tank, the armoured car remained popular due to its faster speed, comparatively simple maintenance and low production cost.

During World War II, most armoured cars were engineered for reconnaissance and passive observation, while others were devoted to communications tasks.

World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated, with many nations mobilising all resources in pursuit of total war.

Tanks and aircraft played major roles, enabling the strategic bombing of cities and delivery of the first and only nuclear weapons ever used in war.

The war began on September 1, 1939, with Germany's invasion of Poland and concluded on September 2, 1945, with Japan's surrender.