9 Vehicles That Were Designed for Harsh Military Use But Became Road-Legal

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Oshkosh L ATV
Oshkosh L ATV

Military vehicles have gained popularity among civilians, with many surplus models available on the market today some of which are even road-legal.

As long as a military vehicle is unarmed, equipped with wheels, and does not exceed a width of 102 mm, it can be legally driven on public roads. Naturally, there are numerous other criteria to meet, but these are among the most fundamental.

While these vehicles aren’t practical for daily commutes, they make for exciting collector’s items especially for those with extra cash to spare.

Given the uncertain state of the world, you never know when an apocalyptic event might occur, and a military vehicle could end up being your best asset for survival. With that in mind, here are 9 military vehicles, both new and used, that you can buy today.

Also Read: Top 10 Police Vehicles That Are Designed for Extreme Durability

1. Jeep Staff Car Concept

Price: $40,000

The Jeep Staff Car Concept boasts a clean design that makes it a vehicle you wouldn’t mind taking out on the road frequently. To the untrained eye, it could easily pass as a customized Wrangler.

The desert storm paint job enhances its rugged appeal, complemented by matching steel wheels. It features a soft top and comes without doors, adding to its open-air, off-road character.

While it resembles a typical Jeep, this model has an extended wheelbase and sits noticeably high off the ground.

Powering it is Jeep’s well-known 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar engine, producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. As expected for an adventurous off-road vehicle, it comes equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.

Jeep Staff Car Concept
Jeep Staff Car Concept

For a military-grade vehicle, the Jeep Staff Car Concept is surprisingly quick, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just eight seconds.

While it is highly capable of handling rough terrain, it falls short in terms of personal safety, given the absence of doors and the reliance on a soft top.

Jeep Staff Car Concept Specifications

  • Engine: 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar
  • Horsepower: 285
  • Torque: 260 pound-feet
  • Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox

2. GAZ Tigr

Price: $110,000

The GAZ Tigr rose to prominence when Russia formally introduced it into its military fleet in 2006. This robust vehicle demonstrates equal prowess on paved roads and rugged terrain.

Given its imposing stance, one might assume that its interior would be purely utilitarian. However, the civilian version of the Tigr surprises with leather seats, air conditioning, and an audio system, making it more appealing to non-military buyers.

GAZ Tigr
GAZ Tigr

Weighing approximately 16,000 pounds, the GAZ Tigr is equipped with various functional features, including a tire inflation system, an electric winch, and a fire extinguishing system.

Naturally, the civilian variant does not come with weaponry, but buyers have the option to select different levels of armor protection, depending on their budget and security needs.

GAZ Tigr Specifications

  • Engine: 5.9-liter, six-cylinder Cummins diesel engine
  • Horsepower: 180
  • Torque: 450 pound-feet
  • Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox

3. Paramount Marauder

Price: $485,000

The Paramount Marauder perfectly embodies the essence of this list. First introduced in 2007 in Abu Dhabi, this formidable vehicle has since gained worldwide recognition.

Built to offer maximum protection, the Marauder is resilient enough to withstand landmines, making it one of the most robust military vehicles available.

Designed with a high payload capacity, the Marauder was originally built to carry heavy armaments, including machine guns and missile launchers.

Paramount Marauder
Paramount Marauder

Certain variants of this beast are road-legal, making it a vehicle that could leave Hummer owners envious. However, engine specifications remain somewhat vague, even on the official website.

This African powerhouse doesn’t come cheap, but if you’re looking for something that could safeguard you in a doomsday scenario, this might just be the ultimate survival machine. Did I mention it weighs over 24,000 pounds?

Paramount Marauder Specifications

  • Engine: Six-cylinder, turbodiesel mill
  • Horsepower: 221
  • Torque: 591 pound-feet
  • Transmission: Automatic gearbox

4. Oshkosh L-ATV

Price: $450,000

The Oshkosh L-ATV was developed as a replacement for the aging Humvee in the U.S. Army’s cavalry. While the Humvee proved effective for maneuverability in the field, it was not designed for warfare.

Various modifications were made to armor the Humvee, but this severely impacted its mobility.

The Oshkosh L-ATV successfully addresses both these concerns, offering improved protection and enhanced mobility, making it a fitting successor to the Humvee.

Oshkosh L ATV
Oshkosh L-ATV

The $450,000 price tag applies to the fully equipped military version, which includes armor and weaponry though this variant is not available for civilian purchase. However, a stripped-down, road-legal version is available for $250,000.

Weighing just over 10,000 pounds, the Oshkosh L-ATV isn’t just a tank on wheels it can also reach speeds of up to 70 mph, making it a surprisingly fast and capable off-road vehicle.

Oshkosh L-ATV Specifications

  • Engine: 6.6-liter Duramax diesel
  • Horsepower: 340 horses
  • Torque: 455 pound-feet (unconfirmed)
  • Transmission: Six-speed automatic gearbox

5. Humvee

Price: $10,000

The Humvee is gradually being phased out of the U.S. Army in favor of the Oshkosh L-ATV, yet it remains in production. As of 2014, the U.S. government had already sold approximately 4,000 Humvees to civilians.

Originally designed for personnel and light cargo transport behind front lines, the Humvee was never intended to be a frontline combat vehicle.

Humvee
Humvee

The first iteration, the M998 model, was powered by a 6.2-liter V-8 engine, which allowed the Humvee to achieve a top speed of 70 mph.

Although its prominence may be fading, the Humvee remains an iconic military vehicle. If you’re in the market for one, used Humvees can be found for as little as $10,000.

Humvee Specifications

  • Engine: 6.2-liter V-8
  • Horsepower: 150
  • Torque: 451 pound-feet
  • Transmission: Three-speed manual gearbox

6. Dodge WC Utility Truck

Price: $5,000

The Dodge WC Utility Truck is a true military vehicle, boasting extensive battlefield experience (pun intended).

Developed specifically for military use during World War II, the WC Series was available in both four-wheel-drive and six-wheel-drive configurations. In fact, more than half of the trucks supplied to the U.S. military during WWII were Dodge WCs.

Dodge WC Utility Truck
Dodge WC Utility Truck

Visually, the Dodge WC exudes a classic military aesthetic, featuring an open design with no doors or hardtop. The final versions were equipped with a 6.5-liter, liquid-cooled engine.

Prices for this historic vehicle vary widely, ranging from as low as $5,000 to well into the six-figure range. If you’re willing to put in some effort, you can still find a well-preserved example at a reasonable price.

Dodge WC Utility Truck Specifications

  • Engine: 6.5-liter, liquid-cooled
  • Horsepower: 92
  • Torque: 180 pound-feet
  • Transmission: Four-speed manual gearbox

Also Read: 10 Cars That Offer the Best Value Leasing Deals in 2025 Across Sedans, SUVs, and Trucks

7. SdKfz 251

Price: $624,000

For those unfamiliar with this vehicle, no, that price tag is not a typo. The SdKfz 251 was an incredibly versatile military vehicle, functioning as both a truck and an armored tank.

Impressive, right? This heavily armored transport was used by German forces to carry soldiers into battle.

The SdKfz 251 was produced in 22 different variants based on four main models. It featured protective armor plating for defense, while its machine guns and rifle slots provided offensive capabilities.

SdKfz 251
SdKfz 251

Despite its historical significance, the SdKfz 251 is not as rare as some of the other military vehicles on this list. In fact, over 15,000 units were manufactured.

However, very few are still in drivable condition, which explains why this legendary truck-tank can now cost well over half a million dollars.

SdKfz 251 Specifications

  • Engine: 4.2-liter, six-cylinder Maybach gasoline engine
  • Horsepower: 100
  • Torque: N/A
  • Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox

8. Steyr Puch Pinzgauer 

Price: $25,000

The Steyr Puch Pinzgauer was introduced in the early 1970s, and even decades later, it remains just as rugged and capable as it was back then. Don’t let its minivan-like appearance fool you this vehicle is one of the toughest military transports ever built.

Fun fact: Pinzgauer is named after a breed of Austrian horses known for their strength and endurance a fitting name for such a durable vehicle. This rugged transporter was designed with smart engineering, making it highly reliable even in harsh conditions.

Steyr Puch Pinzgauer
Steyr Puch Pinzgauer

Despite its age, well-maintained Pinzgauers can still be found today, typically priced around $30,000 in the used market.

Steyr Puch Pinzgauer Specifications

  • Engine: 2.5-liter, five-cylinder turbodiesel
  • Horsepower: 136
  • Torque: 207 pound-feet
  • Transmission: Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox

9. Renault Sherpa

Price: $272,000

The Renault Sherpa is the ultimate vehicle for surviving apocalyptic conditions. Its rugged and imposing design bears a striking resemblance to Dwayne Johnson’s Gurkha F5 from the Fast & Furious franchise.

The Sherpa series includes six different models, each offering varying levels of protection. Due to its reliability and durability, many armed forces worldwide have incorporated the Sherpa into their fleets.

Renault Sherpa
Renault Sherpa

This formidable machine is available only through special orders and was primarily developed for tactical missions, which is a big reason why it has gained popularity among civilians as well.

Under the hood, the Sherpa is powered by a 4.76-liter, four-cylinder engine, producing over 200 horsepower. If you’re considering adding one to your collection, be prepared to spend over $250,000.

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