The HMMWV contract to replace the original 1950s design GPW Jeep was bid on and won by AM General, beginning production in 1983. Because the 24 hour news cycle began shortly thereafter, it wasn’t long before the Humvee was taking center stage on the television screens of American households everywhere.
The Gulf War raged on in the early 1990s and in a way defined the era. People wanted the tough-guy visuals and over-or-through capabilities of a military Humvee, but didn’t want to live through the discomfort that troops experienced inside one of these rattle traps. The Humvee eventually spawned a civilian version, as well as the hardcore in looks only Hummer H2 and H3.
This is a pretty cool short video from Ethan Tufts at Hello Road. He rented this Humvee on Turo in Los Angeles, and gives us an idea of what it’s like to drive without us actually having to climb aboard. He takes the M998 A0 to a neat military vehicles museum, and talks a bit about the truck’s historical significance.
This might be the perfect vehicle for Turo, because there’s no way in hell I’d want to own it, but it might be fun to drive for a day or two.
In the interest of disclosure, Ethan is a friend of mine and a huge proponent of Radwood. I became friends with him because I watched his kickass videos and love the quality of the videography he produces. This video is no exception. He tells a great story, and makes it look pretty.