From the Curator: Military Vehicles

This month at KCAM, we’re honoring the vehicles that served not just on the road, but on the front lines — the military machines that shaped history and helped drive America to victory.

From rugged World War II jeeps to powerful transport trucks and armored personnel carriers, military vehicles represent the peak of purpose-driven design. Built for reliability, resilience, and function under fire, these machines were more than just equipment — they were lifelines for soldiers, supply chains, and strategy.

Kansas City played a quiet but crucial role in this story. During World War II, the city’s manufacturing backbone was repurposed for wartime production. Local plants produced parts, gear, and vehicle components, and the Fairfax Industrial District became a hub of military logistics. KC workers—mechanics, machinists, engineers—helped ensure troops around the world had the equipment they needed to survive and succeed.

Many veterans who returned home brought their appreciation for military vehicles with them. Some restored surplus jeeps or trucks for civilian use. Others helped shape postwar transportation and logistics using the lessons they’d learned overseas. The influence of those wartime vehicles can still be seen in the design of today’s off-road and utility models, and their legacy continues in the car clubs, collectors, and preservationists keeping history alive.

This month’s Drive-In Exhibit features historic military vehicles from private collections and museums across the region. From battlefield workhorses to command vehicles, each tells a story of service, sacrifice, and strength.

Coming next month: We’ll shift from military grit to muscle with a tribute to Trucks — exploring how pickups, workhorses, and custom haulers helped shape Kansas City’s industries, communities, and identity. Until then, come pay tribute to the machines that served our country with honor.

See you soon,
Butch Papon
Curator, Kansas City Automotive Museum