Italian armoured cars first fought in Libya in 1911-12 against the Ottoman Empire. With few tanks being developed during World War I Italy relied on the development of more mobile armoured cars, like the Ansaldo-Lancia 1 Z. But the post-war army, focusing on the Alpine battlegrounds of Italy's northern borders, built only a few more armoured cars for colonial use. It was only after facing Soviet-built armoured cars in the Spanish Civil War that the Italian army felt the need for a modern armoured car. It developed and produced the AB 40-43 models, which fought against the British in North Africa and Marshall Tito's forces in Yugoslavia. They also provided the basis for the famous 'Sahariana' desert reconnaissance car, and other vehicles like the 'Autoprotetto SPA S 37'. Using detailed colour plates and archive photographs, this book examines the development and use of the Italian armoured car in both world wars and the inter-war years, from the deserts of North Africa to the slopes of the Alps. Book jacket.