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This M8 is a unique variant made by the Hellenic army by replacing the engines from the Hercules JXD gasoline engine to a Steyr diesel engine, for this modification to happen this required a rearwards extension of the engine compartments by 11.8 in (300 mm), as well as some heightening. Also the M2HB anti-aircraft machinegun was moved to the right front of the turret, where new pintle sockets were bolted on the partial roofs (the turret rear sockets being retained) and the coaxial 0.30-inch M1919A4s replaced by 7.62×51mm NATO MG3 machinegun. (also some other minor changes like radios, indicators and new hooded lights, rear view mirrors)
History
The M8 Greyhound: A Swift Scout of World War II and BeyondIn the summer of 1941, as the United States ramped up its military preparations ahead of full involvement in World War II, the U.S. Army issued specifications for a new wheeled armored vehicle. They sought a fast, agile 6x6 design to succeed the earlier M6 series. The new machine needed strong off-road performance, full armor protection, a turret-mounted 37mm gun of American manufacture, and secondary machine-gun armament.
Several major manufacturers, including Ford and Chrysler, submitted prototypes. After extensive trials, modifications, and competitive evaluations, Ford’s design was selected and standardized as the M8 Light Armored Car—soon nicknamed the Greyhound for its speed and lean profile. Production began in earnest, and the vehicle quickly proved its worth.
Over 8,500 units were eventually built, making the M8 one of the most widely produced armored vehicles of the era. It saw extensive service with American forces in Europe and the Pacific, primarily in reconnaissance, flank security, and screening roles, though crews sometimes pressed it into limited tank-destroyer duties. Its combination of mobility and firepower made it a favorite for probing enemy positions and maintaining contact across vast battlefields. After 1945, large numbers remained in U.S. inventories and were widely distributed to allied nations through military aid programs.
The M8 Greyhound in Hellenic ServiceGreece received approximately 207 M8 Greyhounds after World War II, primarily through U.S. military assistance programs as the country rebuilt its armed forces and faced internal and external threats.
Greek Civil War (1946–1949)
The M8 entered Greek service during the final phases of the Greek Civil War. Government (Royalist/National) forces used these American-supplied armored cars for reconnaissance, convoy protection, and rapid response operations against Communist Democratic Army guerrillas. Their mobility proved valuable in Greece’s rugged terrain, though the light armor made them vulnerable to mines and ambushes—common threats in that conflict.
Post-War and Cold War Era
In the 1950s and 1960s, the Hellenic Army integrated the M8 into armored reconnaissance units. The vehicles supported larger formations alongside M24 Chaffee light tanks and other U.S.-supplied equipment. They served in roles such as border patrols, internal security, and training exercises.
During periods of political instability, including the 1967 coup (and related events in the late 1960s–early 1970s), M8s appeared in Athens and other areas, often alongside M24s, for crowd control and show-of-force missions.
Hellenic Upgrades: The Diesel Variant
To extend service life and improve reliability, the Greek Army carried out a significant local modernization program. Many M8s received Steyr diesel engines (replacing the original Hercules JXD gasoline engine). This upgrade involved:
- Extending the engine compartment rearward by about 300 mm (11.8 inches) and raising the deck.
- Installing new radios, hooded lights, rear-view mirrors, and updated indicators.
- Repositioning the .50 cal M2HB anti-aircraft machine gun to a new pintle mount on the right front of the turret.
- Replacing the coaxial .30 cal M1919 with a 7.62×51mm NATO MG3 machine gun.
These diesel-powered Greek M8s offered better fuel efficiency, reduced fire risk, and improved logistics compatibility.
Later Roles and Retirement
In its final decades, the Hellenic Army used the M8 mainly for coastal defense and secondary reconnaissance tasks. The vehicle was gradually phased out in the late 1990s (some say that 7 M8 were still in service in 2007) as more modern equipment arrived. Greece also transferred some examples to Cyprus.
A small number of ex-Greek M8s (often with the distinctive Steyr diesel conversion) survive today in private collections or as museum pieces, with some restored to running condition.
The M8 Greyhound provided the Hellenic Army with a cost-effective, mobile reconnaissance platform during a critical period of rebuilding and Cold War tensions. Its long service—from the mountains of the Civil War to coastal watch duties—reflects the vehicle’s adaptability and the pragmatic approach of post-war Greek forces.
Armament
Main armament: 37 mm (1.46 in) M6 QF AT gun
Secondary armament: M2HB anti-aircraft machinegun (in the front part of the turret) + coaxial 7.62×51mm NATO MG3 machinegun
Protection
From 8-15mm
Specifications
- Length: ≈5.30 m (original 5.00 m + 0.30 m extension)
- Width: 2.54 m (unchanged)
- Height: ≈2.30–2.35 m (slight increase due to raised engine deck and possible other fittings)
- Weight: ≈8.0 tonnes (modest increase from the heavier diesel engine, additional equipment, and structural reinforcements)
- Crew: 4
Mobility
Speed: 85–90 km/h
Reverse:20–25 km/h
Power output: 120+ hp
Power to weight ratio: 14.5 hp/tonne
Turn radius: 17–18 m
Engine model: Steyr diesel (specific variant not publicly detailed; likely a 6-cylinder inline)
Engine type: Inline-6 diesel
Transmission: Warner Gear, 4 forward + 1 reverse (synchronized)
Images and Video
Some of this photos are from the regular M8
yes its an ex-Greek M8 that was sold to a private collector and it has the Steyr engine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHJEnDA6qoo&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Ftracksandtrade.com%2F
Greek M8 in the movie “Guns of Navarone”
The M8 (diesel) would be an interesting addition as a unique variant of the M8. A handful of ex-Hellenic Army M8 Greyhounds — many still sporting the distinctive Steyr diesel conversion — remain in existence today. Some are preserved as static displays in museums or military collections, while others have been meticulously restored to running condition by private enthusiasts.
For the Greek armed forces, the M8 proved to be a practical and affordable asset during the challenging post-war years and throughout the Cold War. From rugged operations in the mountains during the Civil War to later coastal defense patrols, the vehicle demonstrated remarkable longevity and versatility — a testament to both its solid original design and the resourcefulness of Greece’s military in adapting older equipment to meet its needs.
Sources
https://saith.gr/τα-πυροβόλα-37-mm-των-τεθωρακισμένων/
M8 Greyhound | Greek Military Vehicles
Light Armored Car M8 Greyhound
M8 Greyhound Explained
M8 Greyhound - Wikipedia
M8 Greyhound (1942)
Also if anyone want to buy this specific Greek variant its now for sale for the low price of 75k