The First Armored Car Ever Built Isn’t What You’d Think – SlashGear

Simms met German engineer Gottlieb Daimler sometime in 1889 (via Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust) and procured a license to build high-speed engines. He promptly moved to London, England, became a mechanical engineer (via The Online Tank Museum), and engaged in all manner of automotive designs and creations. He came up with the words “petrol” and “motorcar” and, along with German engineer Robert Bosch, invented the Simms-Bosch ignition magneto (via Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust).

In January 1898, Simms applied for a patent that would protect “turrets, armored cars, shields and the like” through “pneumatic spaces” filled with Indian rubber that would effectively absorb kinetic energy created by a projectile’s impact. Three months later, he patented a “Motor Driven Car for Use in Warfare” (via The Online Tank Museum).

In 1899 he created his first armed military vehicle, the Motor Scout Quadricycle, a four-wheeled motorbike with a .303 caliber Mark IV Maxim automatic machine gun capable of firing 1,000 rounds attached to the front. It had a bulletproof shield in front for the driver to hide behind (via The Online Tank Museum). It was never made in masse or used by the military, but that didn’t stop Simms from trying.

Using the Motor Scout as a starting point, Simms began working on his next project, one that would take him, along with builders Vickers, Sons & Maxim, almost three years to complete (via The Online Tank Museum).