Jalopnik
We asked you what you think the best post-apocalyptic vehicle would be, assuming you could fuel it up and were unable to stay in one place due to the lack of other resources (and likely abundance of radioactive zombies looking for a tasty brain to munch upon). The response we received from commenters was phenomenal. We've culled the comments down to our ten top responses. Some we expected and some we didn't, and we even had a quasi-fictional vehicle thrown in for some fun. After you've had a moment to take a gander at the zombie-fighting machines-o-war below, drop all the way down to the bottom and help us cull the wheat from the proverbial radioactive chaff and determine the ultimate ride for living through the bleak world that awaits us. The very fate of humanity may rest upon your decision.
Earthroamer XV-JP
Though we're partial to the XV-LT, based on the full-sized F550 platform, CSHONTZ makes an excellent point about the zombie-killing ability of the smaller Jeep-based Earthroamer XV-JP. It's got all you need to survive, is quite portable (the only camper to ever cross the Rubicon trail) and contains a top that folds out into a queen-sized bed. You'll just have to get used to using the potty in view of the zombies. [Earthroamer]
Dobbertin Surface Orbiter
What happens when a well known hotrodder puts his tinkering hands to an amphibious vehicle? The Dobbertin Surface Orbiter. Built out of an old milk tanker, the Orbiter was designed to circumnavigate the globe on land and water, which is good for when you're on the move and forced to deal with the suddenly changing seasons that the nuclear fallout will likely bring. And like all good survival vehicles, it comes complete with a kitchen and porta-potti. It nearly made it around the world, but financial problems and an eventual divorce led to the trip getting cut short. Maybe YankBoffin and BlueCoupe would be all over that. [Dobbertin Hydrocar]
Sportsmobile
Commenter Buji already drives his survival vehicle. A more minimalist approach than some of the vehicles featured here, the Sportsmobile 4X4 will cross almost any terrain and still let you bring your equipment, your bail out vehicle (BOV) and camping gear with you. Even better, it can be fitted with a kennel so you can bring your best friend with you. [Sportsmobile]
The Wothahellizat
Certainly winner for the best name, Adidac425 was right to identify the Wothahellizat as one of the all-time great survival vehicles. If the Sportsmobile is minimalist, the Wothahellizat is maximalist. It's a motorhome on wheels, literally. Nature photographer Rob Fray used this to do his work across the Australian continent. The perfect vehicle for when you don't want to leave anything at your underground fallout shelter. [Wothahellizat]
Steeltruck 4x4
According to Froggmann, the Steelwheels truck is ready for when things heat up. Literally. This off-roader is built on the Oshkosh M100 platform used for, among other things, airport crash trucks. With this you can drive into the heart of the zombie queen's lair, rescue your friends, and torch the place, all the while making a delicious meal inside the TGIF-esque interior.
[Steelwheels]
EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle
Though it's a quasi-fictional vehicle, Al Navarro was spot-on with picking the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle from the great American film Stripes. Think about it. Most of the time it looks like your standard issue GMC-based RV with all the included amenities. But with the touch of a button the armor goes down and the missiles come out. It also includes full navigational and communications equipment. If it's good enough for Bill Murray, it's good enough for us. [Cloudster]
Volvo C303
Murph has it right. What do you need an onboard toilet for in a world where global war has rendered societal norms, such as not peeing anywhere, nil. Lacking the complex mechanical and electronic components of some of its colleagues here, the Volvo C303 can be kept running with duct tape and shoe polish. Plus, what's tougher than a big red brick?
[Real4x4]
Sisu XA-185
Who knows more about surviving danger than, well, Dr. Danger? So we'll let the good Dr take this one:
Three important reasons:
1. Mobility: Amphibious 6x6
2. Safety: Zombie proof, also with a mounted NSV machine gun
3. Power Plant: Decent diesel engine (we all know diesel engines are versatile with fuel) [ArmyVehicles.dk]
The Buffalo Force Protection Vehicle
It can crush a Hummer, clear a minefield and keep you safe from grenade-chucking survivors hoping to kill you off as you fight for that last barrel of oil or pool of freshwater. It may not be the most comfortable choice for long trips, but it does come with a space shuttle-like mine raking arm, which JoSCh points out "could skewer a cadre of zombies." Perfect. Oh, and if you pick the right one, it may even transform. [ForceProtection.net]
MaxiMog
It's hard to argue with the MaxiMog, which starts life as the über-capable Mercedes Unimog and gets converted for full survival duty. It's as tough as the Unicat, but comes with a high-performance motorbike BOV, undersea vehicle and a special living trailer. Even better, mehugtree points out that it includes a UAV that can send live images of zombie hordes from up to ten miles away.
[Maximog]
Comments
How could you leave off the Landmaster from Damnation Alley ????
This...
It's a toss between the Buffalo and the MaxiMog
Sorry the see that FEMA's fleet of Ford Explorers didn't make it.
This...
+ Watch video
@PolishDon: Sorry, I've got to agree here. If you've got the Stripes vehicle, you need the Landmaster.
Also, what was the vehicle they used to check if the nuke worked in "Independence Day"? I assumed it was radiation-proof (or those guys died 20 minutes later).
@ARP:
That vintage Mack truck that survived the destruction of Los Angeles might also be a good contender, if for nothing other than its durability and immunity to aliens.
The Buffalo Force etc. is the only one equipped with coarse-fishing capability.
What about the Partidge Family Bus? Surely the '70's polyester clothing would ward off all biological and radiological threats????
@PolishDon:
Seriously, dudes... I refuse to vote until the Landmaster is added.
I voted for the Earthroamer XV-JP b/c I know the owner of the company (OK, I'm biased) & who'd bother nuking the Rubicon or some remote area in the Rockies? None of the big vehicles would fit 99% of the remotest mountain roads.
Oh, yeah. I don't own a car--just 2 Jeeps, & 2 4x4 pickups w/ 36" tires.
@PolishDon: yeah the Landmaster is pretty sweet ..It can even dodge giant scorpions
I picked the Sisu because of the diesel engine and potential versatility that it can afford. Because without fuel, you may as well have just stayed home.
How could you leave out Bagger 288? It pwns everything else on this list!
What, no Herkimer Battle Jitney?
I vote for the surface orbiter. Nothing says survival nutcase like a sea-worthy milk tanker.
What'd they drive in that 70s Saturday morning show in which the guy flew some slow, stand-up style, jet backpack thing?
How could you have missed the M35 (deuce and a half) series of vehicles?
[en.wikipedia.org]
In a post apocalyptical world, a multifuel vehicle (diesel fuel, jet fuel, kerosene, heating oil or gasoline) would be almost a necessity. Plus as the M35 gets/has been replaced within military units, many are finding their way into rural fire departments for use as brush trucks. That means readily available spare parts.
And hell, at 11mpg, it's fuel economy isn't much worse than my 2001 Excursion.
Oh, c'mon...Ark 2!
that vehicle in Independence Day was a GM LAV variant,and as with most military vehicles,it was NBC(Nuclear,Biological,Chemical) resistant.
for the pickup fans,you cant beat a International CXT..
come on..the mad max interceptor..."last of the big V-8s"
The ARK II ([www.angelfire.com])
LANDMASTER, LANDMASTER !!
It already survived in a post-apocolyptic world !
My 4 year old daughter sez this is all u need, it's "PERFTEC"!
Does this competition need 2 different categories--one cinematic, and one actual?
@ɹɐlod: That vehicle might *cause* the apocalypse...
@PolishDon: That's what I was going to say. 3 wheels on one wheel FTW!
Best survival vehicle?
A Mongol pony. Better yet, a herd of them for your postapocalytptic wasteland warriors.
@Dorsai: You mean the Jeep? It was junked.
@ɹɐlod: Those damn zombie hordes never saw it coming.
there can be only one:
Oh, yea, and the Wisconsin made HEMTT, other vehicles cower in it's presence.
[www.oshkoshcorporation.com]
Landmaster... easily repaired with junkyard truck parts.
100% Surface Orbiter. Not only does it have more wheels than all other combatants combined, but when you come driving up flat out, they'll think a missile has been launched at them, and will scurry to abandon whatever precious resource they've been guarding leaving it ripe for pillaging.
@gaiking: I second that motion.
I second the vote for Landmaster. It's a real vehicle and, apparently, it comes with it's own hippie: [www.snowcrest.net]
LANDMASTER FTP!
Where's the Wagon Queen Family Truckster?
Boo, no Russian BTR, even though it's real, it floats and has water propulsion, and has enough room for a few friends and a lot of ammo.
@joelja: Could you possibly get a larger picture?
What? No Killdozer?
[img][img426.imageshack.us]]
@joelja: Whoa! Width and height attributes are your friend. Even better, find a thumbnail and link the big honkin' pic.
You can't go for anything that has "windows" that open up. That's why i did NOT vote for the Sisu (plus, it's one letter away from SisY), but instead went for the NASA-Zombie-Impaling-Arm'd vehicle. AND i'm sure it runs on diesel, it'd be LUDAcris to believe it ran on gas.
Lam
@ÚÐΜÄÑ®: Seriously...I get the feeling <img> tags may not last long. Oh well.
@ÚÐΜÄÑ®: It didn't look that big on my screen... guess some more image tag attributes would have been in order.
@Whyaduck: Don't worry, this is why we can selectively remove things when someone goes a bit overboard.
ROFL! So i read the title and thought to myself " I wonder where my Damnation Alley Landmaster ranked?" only to see it snubbed Oscar-style.
So, just like Cher when she wasn't nominated for her role in Mask, i'm wearing this to the ceremony:
@Whyaduck: I don't think the attributes work in the tag, but the preview works great though.
@halfshaft: They just rolled you up in the Technical Awards.
+1 Landmaster holdout vote.
@Serolf Divad:
Yeah! +1
while I certainly agree that the Landmaster was dissed.
you are also forgetting the MEGA FORCE vehicles
the Dune Buggys
[classiccars.com]
and here
[www.jabootu.com]
If we're going to get fictional, then "Dead Reckoning" from Land of the Dead. It was actually made to, you know, fight post-apocalyptic zombies.
Dead Reckoning. Apologies if it was nominated in the original discussion.
@Matt Hardigree: Matt, maybe mixing up reality vehicles with those portrayed in the world of fantasy probably wasn't a good idea. So, in the spirit of continued posting (hey, isn't that what the Gawker Lords want?) time to do a 2 parter, and have a poll on vehicles from Fantasy. Like @cyclopticgaze: and like @crazygutgut: and like @Shprocket: and @dolo54: .... well you know what I mean.
@